The record-union., 1895-02-13
THE LATE w. w. STOW.

w. W. Stow is dead. The news came
unexpectedly, and it was shock to the
people of the entire State. But had it
been expected, had it been the result of a
lingering illness, the death of this noble
man would not have been less grievous,
or have caused more profound or general
sorrow.
What is said of man in his life time
in his praise, and at time when he is
the target of calumny, and the assailed of
bitter and malicious assault upon his in
tegrity. is far more valuable in estimat-
ing worth of character than anything
that can be said of him when the coffin
lid closes over his face, and the mercy of
mankind. inspired by death, softens and
mitigates even the bitterness of enmity.
In August, 1890, when w. w. Stow was
undergoing the unjust, the acrimonious
and largely the malicious criticisms
of a portion of the press of the State;
when editorial pens dripped with
venomous attacks upon a man who was
superior to the best of his detractors, the
RECoRD-UNIoN said of him:
1t is well known that Hon. W. w.
Stow is taking hand in the current
politics of California. Mr.. Stow has a
perfect right as a citizen of California to
take such interest in the politics of the
State as he may deem for the best inter-
ests of the State or in the interests of his
friends. Mr.. Stow IS a politician. To
deny this would be to deny the plainest
facts Of personal history but we defy
all mankind to point to a more high
minded or honorable politician in this or
any other country. When the record of
fair dealing, generous purpose and 10y
atty to his trusts is made up, the name of
W. w. Stow will lead all the rest. Pos
sessed Of the broadcast capabilities, the
bravest attributes, the most open and
manly candor; imbued with the most
kindly personal feelings, full of generous
sentiment toward mankind, true to his
friends, true to convictions of duty, loyal
to the last in the discharge Of every trust
reposed in him, Mr.. Stow stands first
when the roll of manly names is called,
and whoever denies this will make that
denial from motives of malice rather than
from any evidence which would give
fully malign and falsify the character of
an eminently just and able man. 1t can
be said of him with truth that he has
more friends among manly men than
any other man in California. Those who
know him best entertain for him the
most profound respect. We say these
things for Mr.. Stow simply because they
are true, but we say them defiantly, and
without the slightest fear that they can be
successfully controverted. Mr.. Stow, we
repeat, is politician. but he is the best of
his kind. He did not need this defense
at our hands, but it is made because he is
the victim, in certain quarters, of willful
misrepresentation and gross malignity."
To-day the same press, that had not the
hardihood to challenge the truth and the
justice of the RECORD UNIONS response
to the assaults while the man lived, is
confessing the justice of our estimate and
acknowledging in his behalf all that we
then said. w. w. Stow was one of ma
lures noblemen. He was a lawyer who
made profound impress upon the iudic-
al nd
whose conduct in one of the foremost of
professions elevated and dignifed, re-
fined and bettered it.
He was statesman born, invested by
nature with all those qualities of mind
and judgment that distinguish the far
seeing and courageous. He was patriot,
for he loved his country better than self.
and deemed no sacrifice too great to pre-
serve its institutions, perpetuate human
freedom and to enlarge the borders of
liberty.
W. w. Stow was citizen whose influ-
ence upon public affairs was duly pro-
portionate to the official positions he
held. Every age and time has its War
wick-a silent influence behind the
throne. In the hands of Mr.. Stow such
power was welded for the public good
as much as by anybody who has ever
exercised similar powers. He was a
skilled legislator and being also a pro-
found lawyer he was able to exercise
potential influence upon the legislation
OF California, and this he exercised for
the highest best good of the State and its
people. This influence was felt in Cali
fornia for more than quarter of CEN
fury, and the result was reelection in our
code of laws of measures, policies and
sentiments in the highest degree benefi-
cial to the commonwealth.
His patriotism was of the order that
rises upon profound conviction, the out
come of close study Of men and their