The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1897-07-17

L
sang the hymn:
Rest for the toulng hand,
Rest for the anxious brow,
Rest for the weary, waysore feet,
Rest from all labor now.
Dr. Smart, then in his usual easy and
graceful manner and in impressive tones,
delivered the following discourse:
DIR. smart's Discourse.
My friends, we are assembled at this time not
to praise our departed statesman, but to bury
him. The press Of the land, with singular una
nmity, has already testified, in laudatory terms,
to the greatness of his life. Eloquent words
have been spoken on his behalf in the halls OF
the senate chamber at Washington, where, for
many years, he lived and labored, and am in
formed that a movement is now on foot whereby
the citizens Of this community may, in hitting
terms, put on record their appreciation of the
man and their estimate OF his work. And this
is as it should be. 1t is said hatwhen the tour
ist stands In the presence Of the Apollo Belyl-
dere, and gazes on the graceful lines OF that
statue his own body unconsciousy, assumes
more erect and graceful attitude. SO should the
eXcelleuces and the virtues that have adorned
the lives of our departed loved ones be held up
before the living that they may be led, perhaps
unconsciousy to themselves to initiate those
eXcellencies and to emulate those virtues.
Among the many things that have been said
about the deceased of late nothing has impressed
me more than a statement made In Washington
the other day in which 1t was declared that II,
for every favor and kindness done by the sena-
tor a flower were laid upon his coffin, it would
soon be covered with a vast pyramid of beauty
and fragrance. A beautiful tribute this to that
noble trait of our humanity, one touch oil which
makes the whole world akin
Our friend was not cut down suddenly and
without warning in the midst of the absorbing
duties Of his busy life. In bis case the ak was
laid at the root OF the tree--laid there for warn
ing as well as for service. First, there was his
own sickness then the passing on before him OF
the partner OF his life, and this was followed by
month after month Of increasing illness and
suffering. No man may say what thoughts
passed through his busy mind during those
sleepless nights and wearisome days while he
lay upon his couch, looking out upon what he
well knew was the inevitable. And now that
his spirit has departed, we lay the body that
grew so tired as he himself declared with
dying breath; we lay that tired body down to
rest by the side of her who has preceded him
only a little way on the journey that lies beyond
the grave.
And now would that we could do something
to alleviate the sorrow of those who thus mourn
the double loss of father and mother. Alas, how
impotent we arel We can only commend you,
my friends, TO Him who is the God of all con
ISOLATION. His very name is the PaTacete, and
His Office thus is to minister comfort to those
who sorrow. May His kind hand hold the
cup in this affiictIon and temper the draught to
your strength.
DIR. Hammers Remarks.
At the conclusion Of his remarks, DR.,
that he had been an intimate friend Of
the family of the deceased for number
of years and had known the senator per-
sonally. DIR. Hammer was requested to
say anything he might wish, and to
then lead the congregation in prayer
DR.. Hammer said:
The history of great men is the history of great
mothers. Every grand and successful life is
monument to some mothery spirit. Many years
ago a noble Tennessee mother gave to her State
four distinguished sons. The varied occupa
lions of those boys Indicated the catholic spirit
OF the mother One chose agriculture as his
life work and laid down his life on the conse
Grated field of Shiloh. One held the scales of
justice and died in the enjoyment of the full
confidence and esteem Of his countrymen. One
was a preacher and laid the foundations of the
church in this Western country. His influence
runs like golden thread through the religious
history Of Tennessee. One, whose body lies be-
fore us, gave his life to the State, and was a
statesman. All OF them won a name and welded
a power that will continue far beyond the gen
Grafton in which they lived
As Tennesseean and personal friend of the
family, | am proud Of this vast assembly Of
Teunesseeans and friends from other states at
testing that this observance is in memory of no
ordinary man. 1t may be said OF him as of
Washington:
90, iron nerve to true occasion true,
O, fallen at length that tower of strength
Which stood four square to all the winds that
blew
He brought to the altar OF his country per-
sonal integrity, burning patriotism, Tesistess
energy and fearless devotion to duty. Through
more than half century the stern traits of
were held by an indomitable will to
the accomplishment Of what he believed to be
right in state. He had an eye TO see and courage
TO tell what he saw. He saw far of and spoke
sentiment Of the hour. His fidelity to principle
and his frankness we're intolerant of fawning or
deception "Dowered with the hate of hate, the
scorn Of scorn and the love oil love, he hated the
hateful scorned the scornful and loved the low
able"
We wait the verdict Of the next fifty years as
to whether Tennessee has another such leader
or her flag another such friend.
There is something more than marvellous to
me than his long unbroken hold upon the loyalty
and confidence Of the people, and that is the
reverence and esteem in which he is held by the
children Of the third and fourth generations OF
his family. He has stood for years as the cen
trail shaft In that large and ever widening circle
Of relatives, beloved and honored by all. from
The oldest to the latest born.
We are glad that his body is to rest in the
bosom Of his own Tennessee, whose honors he
las worn with credit TO himself and glory to her
1wn fair name. Now we leave him to the future
md the discoveries OF the last great day.
Farewell to theel illustrlous statesman with
lions heart;
Farewell 10 theel incorporating patriot with |
true soul,
Farewell to thee, indeiaugable worker with an |
iron frame;
Farewell TO thee undaunted friend with faith /
fu breast.
Farewell to theei loyal citizen with patriotic /
Impulses;
farewell to thee, stalwart politician, intrepid |
counselor
Fearless advisor, genial companion"
We mourn thee
"A senator without reproach,
man true and brave,
A soul OF honest aim"
March to the Grave.
After most feryent prayer by Dr.
tanner the congregation was dismissed
nth the announcement that the eeEe-