Birmingham state herald., 1896-06-28
BIRMINGHAM STATE HERALD, SUNDAY, JUNE z8, 1886
Thomas Seay-m~
AS THE MAN--AS THE OFFICIAL.

ciated his many sterling and noble quail ities, and now most deeply mourn his absence from their midst. He was emu lous in all good things, he was pure in work and deed; richly endowed in intel lectual strength, he was diligent and faithful in seeking to attain yet greater power and usefulness, that not talent bestowed upon him might be wasted or impaired. He lived upon a high plane, envied none their possessions. detracted nothing from the reputation of others and assisted, all in his reach to higher and better life. None could be long in close contact with him without feeling the influence of his life upon their own. He was a devoted husband and father, a constant friend and an humble believer in the inspired truths of the Christian re- ligion. He was public spirited citizen, an. honorable gentlemaneand an honest man. His whole life was spent in useful labor, and he has earned his rest His frafl body was for long years assailed with an insidious disease, consuming his strength and menacing his existence. But he never faltered. Knowing the im- minent danger, he faced it without tremor, and with the warning ever sounding in his ears, in physical weak ness that would have made most men helpless, he attempted and accomplished work which would have made strong man great. The spirit of the man kept him alive. He found his appointed work ana ne 01Q IL well. w nat was SalQ or Carlyle was true of him:
 Made weak by time and fate, but strong
 in will,
 To strive, to seek, to find, and not to
 yield"
 In the bright springtime of his fiftieth year, in his own home, surrounded by his family and friends, respected and trusted by all, his great spirit took its departure and his suffering body sank to rest.
 If we should wonder that, by the rude ordinances of destiny, his life should not have been spared for more and greater things, it should be remembered that the fife of no true man is incomplete. The call comes when the work is done, ac- cordfng to the strength given; the night and slumber are sent when the day is ended. There is an eastern legend which tells that rich and powerful king law ished his wealth and taste upon a gar den which contained the purest and most beautiful flowers. His chief gardener sought to produce a single flower that would surpass in beauty and charm those of all the world. With assiduous care and skill he nurtured and cultivated a rose, which, in perfection of beauty and fragrance, promised to fulfill all his hopes and expectations. From day to day he watched and tended 1t, and daily it grew in splendor. The king seeing it, plucked it and bore it to his chamber. When the gardener returned he cried: Where is IH6 TOSe l nave nuTtuTeQ duQ WdlCiltu so earnestly and constantly, which was ready to blossom into perfect beauty and become the greatest treasure among the flowers of earth?" He was silent when 1t was answered: ''The master hath taken it.''
 The attorney general then said:
 May 1t please the court Gov. Thomas Seay measured well up to the statue of a great man. pie cleanliness of walk and conversation that stamped him for it's own. Raised in an adjoining county and early taught to admire him, in all life's contact that admiration was only increased and in- tensified. Never by word or act of his was the ideal rendered less pure and lofty; the hero worship of the boy ma tured into genuine admiration and es- teem for the character and spirit of the man.
 Governor Seay was without the osten- tation and love of show and notoriety which mark the men but half way great.
 He was as simple and unpretending as the stainless Lee.
 He could go right to the heart of wo- men and children. and one of the most touching scenes I ever witnessed was enacted when he but lately poured out beautiful words of Christian hope and love straight from his own warm heart into the suffering heart of a crushed and bereaved young woman, who had just lost her own dear father.
 He served his clients with warmth and zeal unfaltering, he served his state with manly fidelity, and he was a true child to the Father which is in heaven.
 He died in the full high noon of years and usefulness and his memory should be cherished and kept fragrant so long as the commonwealth remembers it's faithful sons, and so long as the people can discern and honestly appreciate truly good and useful men-for he was surely such an one.
 Paris Green -Mayberry & Watson.