Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1896-05-13
Hon. Harry Tucker TtndtcdteS Ho"'
Thomas p. Baydrd, Minister
to England.

In the House of Representatives when
resolutions censuring Hon. Thomas
F. Bayard were under discussion,
Hon. Harry Tucker, Representative
of the Staunton District, proved himself
the worthy son of noble sire-Hon. j.
Randolph Tucker. We can only make
brief extract from his speech. He ar
gued that these resolutions meant nothing.
The managers of the house had decided
on a "do nothing policy" and satan
found more mischief still for idle hands
to do" He closed with a magnificent
tribute to Mr.. Bayard's personal charac-
ter, al honor Thomas F. Bayard as citi-
zen of America" he said. Il have from
youth up watched his course with pride
as a man whom the youth OF the country
could follow with honor without question.
He needs no eulogy at my hands, for I'M
der the fierce light of public and private
criticism he has ever worn the whole
flower of blameless life Nor can |
forget that in those dark days that fol-
lowed the late civil war, when reason was
dethroned in these halls and passion was
holding high carnival, when my people in
the South lay PROSTATE, bleeding at every
pore, with anxious hearts and eager eyes
strained to catch the sound Of one sympa-
thetic voice amid the roar of unbridled
passion, Thomas F. Bayard stepped into
the arena almost single-handed and alone
and cheerfully accepted the gage of battle
in behalf of brave but friendless people.
Heaven forget me, Mr.. Speaker, if ever
1 forget such heroism as his in defense of
our suffering people To him we looked
to that
"'Good gray head which all men knew
That iron nerve to the occasion true
That tower of strength That tower of
strength
Which stood four square to all the winds that
blew
81 cannot forget when in the Chamber
at the other end of the Capitol in those
days of our calamity there was no voice
raised in our defense and no arm uplifted
to save US, when the demon of passion
with uplifted arm was seeking to drive
the last weapon of destruction through
the heart of my people, Thos. f. Bayard,
with no armor save that of truth and JUS
tice, with chivalry and courage worthy
of knight of the days of King Arthur,
met his antagonist in open field and re-
ceived upon his breast the blow which
was intended for others. l can never for
get it, sir. No Southern man will ever
forget it. No man that loves liberty,
courage, honor, and justice can forget his
matches fight for his brave people.
"You may pass these resolutions
They will have no effect on Mr.. Bayard.
They will return to plague the inventor.
You can no more hammer down that
granite figure that represents this coun-
try abroad today at the Court of St.
James, by these resolutions than you
could hope to break down Gibraltar with
toy pistol. You may go on and pass
your acts Of censure, and prove yourself
faithless to the people. by violating every
pledge you have made them but believe
me, you are not foOling them by this pro-
cess. The eyes Of the country are upon
you, and Mr.. Bayard will still live in the
hearts of the people of this country as
long as the fires of liberty burn upon our
affairs and patriotism has its votaries, as
a pure and undefled statesman, who low.
ed honor and justice, and he will ever
stand in the history of our country
"Like some tall cliff that lifts its awful form,
Swells from the vale and midway leaves the
storm
Though round It's breast the rolling clouds are
spread.