Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-12-01
DELAWARE GAZETTE AND STATE JOURNAL-WlLN

feigned piety, could conceal from him |
for a moment unworthy motives or
dangerous. Al
AS he exacted much from himself
and all leaders of opinion, SO he set
up q lofty standard of idea and action |
for the people of his country. He
had q sublime, ingrained confidence
in popular government, and was q
convinced republican. He was severely
criticised ut one time during his resi-
dence in England for saying that the
American people liked the strong man
in their politics. His meaning was
clear. 1t was the man of strong, we'll
settled opinions and firm character that
no had in mind. The adventurous
man on horseback, who is often her-
aided but seldom comes in modern life,
had no more consistent Halter than
this plain-spoken denouncer of shams
and lover of the genuine.
display order. 1t had both beauty and
finish, but was seldom ornate, never
mere sound without sense. 1t was
straightforward, direct, clear cut, not
overweighted with simile or figure of
speech nor yet with reference. As
he was too serious, too much in earnest,
to give attention to humour, SO 1t is
not probable that he ever Intentionally
raised laugh. He was quick at rep
artee, and could use sarcasm or irony
with great effect, if he distrusted the
motives of his opponent. His speeches
combined in proper proportions thought
and the results of reading. When he
saw that public speaking was to be
part of his life he began early and
trained himself thoroughly. AS he
grew older and was able to get more
and more away from mere partisan
speaking, he acquired greater ease and
polish. His intellectual relations to
his time may be summed up with
Bacon's thought: Reading had made
| him full man, conference ready
man, and writing an exact man.
He was no less generous to subordi-
mates or interiors than to superiors and
| equals. He liked work to be well done,
and, as result, was likely to do for
himself much that other men would
have left to assistants. Good health,
a temperate and simple life, unfiagging
industry, and u conscientious determine
tion to do everything we'll enabled him
to perform with acceptance the duties
which fell to him, and not the less SO
because he never shirked responsibility.
He gave his full confidence to few,
| but once passed it was without con-
cealment or grudging. His relations
with some of his political opponents
were very intimate, while membership
or high place in his own party was by
no means q passport to his favour or
confidence. He never courted the
rising star, so that in many instances
he had no personal association with, OF
| IL nf nf hp 4.
ing men who sat with him in the
Senate or became leaders of the House
of Representatives at the other enc
of the Capitol. He did not formally
or consciously exclude: he merely
ignored those who did nothing to com
mand his confidence; at the samt
time none could be more sympathetic
or helpful when conscientious, honest
and congenial new men came to thu
front. u
On the personal side he had thos'
lovable qualities which accompan,
, simplicity of character and openness 0
, aim, There was no pretension, n,
!, tergiyersation, no doubtful or question
, able places in him. He was Admirable
whether as host or guest He talke,
we'll, but he did not monopolise, MOI
.. was he prone to speak of himself eg
cept when drawn to do so. Will
women and children he had tina
graciousness and consideration onl
found in those sure of position, who
l in whatever circle they may be found
,, are gentlemen in the highest sense.
, He was close student of the hes
!, books on all economic questions an
those which involved the origin or AZ
plication of great legal and politicf
! principles. He was persistent reader q
9 poetry and had the old-fashioned habi
|, of quoting it, generally with much apt
! ness. He had also read widely
= popular science and in theologic;
g criticism of the highest order. He We
! buyer of books and had an exactin
A taste in Typography.
Mr.. Bayard passed nearly half a Gel
!, fury of active life before the public
= = more than 80 years of this time bein
= spent in office of one grade or anothe
!, During all this time-and for Giro
= constantly widening from the very b.
. ginning-he stood as the representati,
: of lofty ideals in character and pril
i ciple. Recognition of this came will
70 out conscious seeking on his part, ant
as he was absolutely free from cant
4 any kind, he never posed because
~ it. He has gone out of the wor
70 leaving a character, public and pr
~ vate, free from insincerity, sordidnes
- or seIf-seeking. As became his orig
IL and traditions, he was a man witho
II fear and without reproach. "t
~ George II. Parker.