The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-12-24
A SPEAKING CONGRESS.
The Fifty-FOurth Recalled for Its
Talent in Urat0ry.


1t has often been said that the late
Sunset Cox several times national rep
resentative from the state of New York,
and whilom minister to Turkey, was the
poet of the Forty-fourth congress. That
congress was especially chosen as the
basis for this distinction, because it was
full of brilliant speakers. james q.
Blaine, Proctor Knott. Nathaniel p.
Ranks, John A. Kasson. John Good, Jr.,
Milton Saylor, Frank Hurd, Martin
Townsend, Randolph Tucker could Jug
gle with the English language in mas
lerly fashion. Yet Sunset Cox surpassed
them all.
In fair West Virginia, torn just now
with the dissensions of the coal miners
strike, is the historical health resort of
Alum Springs. 1t lies in the beautiful
Blue Ridge mountains, and is not far
from Washington. To this secluded
nook Michael Kerr, the first speaker of
the Forty -fourth congress, was taken
MORALLY i'll. 1t was there that he died,
and at his death+bed stood Sunset Cox.
A bitter cold Saturday in December
was set aside for the presentation of a
suitable resolution on the death of the
speaker and the expression by members
of the esteem in which they held him.
Among goodly number, Sunset Cox
arose. From the magnificent tribute
he paid to his dead friend, few who
heard it have forgotten that beautiful
word painting which described his pass
ing away.
HE died at the Alum Springs, in West
Virginia." said Mr.. Cox. ut is an old
resort, an intervale of beauty, charm
ing little park sweetly embosomed in
the Blue Ridge; a lonely spot, with now
and then a habitation, but with brac-
ing air, a splendid forest and grand
mountains. There is primeyal qui-
etude there, almost a summer afternoon
feeling, as if the lotus eaters of Tenny'
son had made it resort aloof from the
cries of people that do come and go.
The only noise is that of murmuring
waters. 1t was amid these solemn 81
lences that his last weeks and hours
were passed. 1t was amid these remote
and pleasant hooks of nature that God
Enclosed his weary star. His was no
sudden call. All preparations, secular
and spiritual, possible were made by his
own direction. The silver cord was not
cut hurriedly, nor the golden bowl brok-
en- in an instant. The cord was gently
united; the golden bowl melted away,
as if it were scarf of vapory amethyst,
or rather as the light fades away from
the armament at the coming of an
evening mild. Just as the sun went
down his spirit peaceflly departed. The
pearl dropped from its wasted shell as
the sun passed behind the mountain.
There he lay in the lap of lovelier ma
ture, fly stiller streams and fairer
meadows than we are wont to fancy in
some blest Already, but when death
came it made the beauty of the noun
tains seem barren as the desert; the
flowers and LEAKAGE and rocks and hills
lost their charm, the breeze its fresh
ness, the song Of the birds its music, and
the sweet shine of the sun was joyless.
But in the mountains did he feel his faith:
All things responsive to the writings there
Breathed immortality, revolving life,
And greatess still revolving-infinite;
There littleness was not; the least Of
things
Seemed infinite.
st. Louis Republic.