Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1895-05-29
sscreiarv Gresham Dead.

Hon. Walter Q. Gresham, Secretary Of
State. died in Washington City, at the Ar
lington Hotel, Tuesday morning at a quar-
ter past one o'clock, of acute pneumonia
which followed a relapse Of plsurisy. His
illness began May 1st. Mr.. Gresham has
been eminent as a soldier, a judge and a
statesman. His father was a carpenter and
was murdered by a desperate whom he, as
sheriff. undertook to arrest. Walter was
two years old at the death Of his father
His mother, the widow, was left with five
small children and for years there was a
struggle with penury. Until sixteen years
of age Walter had but two or three winters
of schooling. BY dint Of hard work he OBJ
tanned the means to enter a seminary, and
afterwards studied law. During the war he
was conspicuous for courage and arose to
the rank Of msjor-general. For fourteen
years he was a U. 5. district judge, eight
years a u. 5. circuit judge, and held three
cabinet portfolios Postmaster General and
Secretary Of the Treasury under President
Arthur, aud Secretary Of State under Presi-
dent Cleveland. BE was born on st. Pat
ricks Day, 1882. The Baltimore Sun says
of him Whatever differences of opinion
may exist as to the questions Of national and
international concern with which he had to
do in the course of his public career, there
can be none as to his absolute personal aud
political integrity and sincerity. From first
to last he has been noted for his stern and
answering devotion to principle aud for
the pure and exalted spirit of patriotism by
which he was animated. His record during
the war was a brilliant one, and was char
acterizsd by gallantry Of the highest char
acter, aud his career as a civilian was scarce
ly begun before be proved that he was as
brave in peace as in war-that he had what
is rarer than physical courage, the courage
TO avow aad follow his convictions wherever
they led, no matter what personal sacrifices
such a course might involve. This testimo-
| 90 his ability and character win be ungrudg-
log and general, aud even his political crit
les ami opponents will freely accord him the
high praise Of purity Of motive and unadul-
terated love of country"
Postmaster General Wilson, in speaking
| of Secretary Gresham, said 10 know
| Judge Gresham was to love him as a man
and to admire and respect him as a public
servant. When Mr.. Bissell was leaving this
/ department be told me that for all the wor-
ries and anxieties aud disagreeable expert
| ences of his official life he was richly CON-
peusated by having made the acquaintance
aud enjoyed the friendship Of Judge Ores
ham. share in the warmth Of that feeling.
! As a man the dead Secretary was plain, di-
rect, cordial and heightened. As Secretary
| of State he was severely lab0rious and pains
taking. Through exceptional difficulties
aud embauassments he conducted our for
eiCu affairs with great ability to the honor
| of the American name aud the steady in
crease of our standing and influence among
the nations of the earth for justice, wisdom
and se~lg-respecting devotion to freedom
Few lives have been more fruitful in high,
unseldsh service to his country"
The funeral services are to take place to-
day i'm the East Room of the White House,
Bishop Hurst OF the NJ. Z. Church, to Off
ciate. The remains win be taken to Illinois
accompanied by President Cleveland and
his Cabinet. There will be a funeral pro-
cessiou at noon to- day from the Presidents
house to the b. & O. station, in which the
srmy and navy at Washington will partici-
pate-commanded by Gen. Ruger.