The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-05-25
Senator Earle is Dead
ITY.
The UntimeIy End Of Brilliant
Brief Sketch Of an Upright Life.
From The areenvlle Mountaineer Mayo 1897

Vuto III ou' pucllC aualrS, ana "Den ne
had just entered upon the threshold of
an honorable and useful career as the
representative Of his native State in
the highest council of tho nation,
brings us face to face with 81 calamity
that is felt in every nook and corner OF
the old commonwealth. 1t IS not alone
that the State is to be deprived Of his
splendid abilities, though the loss in
this respect is not to be undervalued
1T is not that he is cut down on the very
verge OF an enlarged usefulness, in
which he had enlisted with enthusiasm
and proper zeal for the accomplish
ment Of high aud noble purposes, nor
Is 1T altogether on account Of the valu-
able service he was expected to rem
der as an illustrious son of the Pal
mctto State, rejecting credi. upon the
constituency which had elevated him
to high position, and gaining distinc-
tiop for himself while discharging pub
lie duties in the nations Senate. All
these are involved in the sad blow
which has fallen upon the State, but it
sense there is vacancy among our
public men it will be difficult to re-
place. Senator Earle was conspicuous
for his thorough independence and
complete freedom from the domination
OF other men, while courteOusly re-
ceiving at all times the advice and
counsel OF those in whom he contided,
yet when the time came for him to act
he relied upon judgment that seldom
failed to reach right conclusions. His
admirable pOisc and self-control, cou-
pied with a magnetic presence, at once
drew around him a host of admirers,
and as the years went by the number
Continued to increase until he had per-
sonal friends and staunch supporters in
every section of the State. This was
evidenced last summer when the peo-
pie for the first time cast their ballots
direct for United States Senator.
Scarcely precinct in any county that
did not give him a good support, and
1T was his Strength among the voters
that so deceived those who were count
ing upon his defeat by great odds in
the first primary. He was known as
one that could be- depended upon, and
he was not the candidate of any faction
or the subservient tool Of any man. He
was solely judged upon his merits and
stood firmly upon an unassailable re-
cord.
Five years ago he assumed position
In political affairs that would have
consigned almost any man to obscurity
He was conscious Of the rectitude Of
his purposes, and calmly bded the
time when his vindication would come.
Clean and unimpeachablc in career
that had gained him considerable emi-
nence among his fcllow-c citizens, he
had nothing to fear from the adverse
criticisms which came inevitably to q
mau who expressed counter opinions to
those held by many OF his friends and
political associates. Time would de-
termine whether he was right, and
when the day arrived that thoughtful
men were seeking leader who would
prove acceptable in great emergency,
among the citizens upon whom could
be rallied the hitherto warning fac
tions, and to him there was rapid
accretion Of strength and support that
amply repaid him for the apparent
Indifference and rejection Of former
days. He could stand out in the white
light of investigation and go through
the refining crucib)e Of the most
searching examination without sc
much as the smell Of fire upon his gar
ments. His judgment Of 02 was en-
dorsed by q handsome majority Of his
fellow Democrats in '06.
Senator Earle had only few days O.
intercourse with his brother Senators
and yet he made On ipdelible impress
sion upon them as q man of digniGet
manners and courtly bearing, Will,
the single instance where he wa
brought before them In brief argu
ment for justice and rie hit sutficed h
give them high estimate Of his intel
lectual capacity. 1t was freely pre-
dicted in Washington that he woul,
take rank among the foremost in de
bate, and that his career would o
marked with honor to his State
Among the younger Senators, an
belonging to the minority 80 far q
shaping things for legislation is con
cerned, it was yet recognized that h
would make most valuable membe
and render excellent service to tn
country. Tho sud .en illness whic
caused him to withdraw from thei
sight serv, to show that he wa
highly appreciated by the Senator
without regard to political or faction,
lines, and the kindly inquiries afte
his health were much beyond the mer
conventionalities of the day. The'
inquiries were continued after h
return home, and there has been muc
solicitude as to the final result when
became known that he was wrestlir
with Il fell dlsease that sesmlngl
nplnbers its victlns more and mo-
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