Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-10-06
Hon. Thomas Francis Bayara.

Thomas Francis Bayard is dead.
After hard struggle and an illness
of several weeks, the end has at last
come. A long, noble and useful
career is brought to a close. Two
great nations mourn, and the whole
world feels poorer for what it has lost.
TIC, the people of Delaware this death
brings deep personal sorrow, as well as
a sense of great public loss.
EARLY in life he engaged in mercan-
tile business, and had he not been
called back, to Delaware by the death
of his brother the great public career
which has Just closed might never have
been. He was admitted to the bar in
1851, and his ability and untiring
energy and industry soon won for him
q prominent place in his profession. In
two years he was appointed District
Attorney, his first public Office. He
was elected United States Senator in
1869 and was reelected in 1875 and
1881. In 1885 he was appointed Secre-
tary of State, and in 1893 he was APP
pointed Ambassador to the Court of
st. james, being the first of his coun-
trymen to receive that exalted title.
His public career is too well known
to the people of Delaware to require
eulogy; yet it cannot be passed over
in silence. During practically all of
his national career he was prominent
and important factor in the affairs of
his country. During his 16 years.
service in the Senate he was leader
from first till last. He possessed in
unusual degree many of the most i'm
portant qualifications for leadership
great physical strength, mental vigor,
unhagging industry, high character,
spotless integrity, dauntless courage.
He was a strong partisan because his
convictions were strong. He was a
ready debater and a fine public speaker.
His administration of the State De-
partment was able and dignified. As
Ambassador to Great Britain he rem
dered his country service of inestimable
value. He was an ideal gentleman and
wise diplomat. No other man during
the life of this Republic has done so
much to bind together in friendship
the two great English-speaking nations
of the world, He deserves much of the
credit for the good feeling now exist
ferred to the great value of this friend
ship in our war with Spain and to the
nation's debt OF gratitude to Mr..
Great as he was, with all his in
terest in important national and inter
national policies, his first thought was
for the State of Delaware and her
people. At reception in Whining
ton, upon his return from Europe in
1880, he said: 81 have an ambition to
confess to you; it is to possess the un-
suspecting confidence Of the people of
Delaware and to retain it," He de-
sired good government. He was a
Democrat Of Democrats and was anxious
for the continuance of Democratic rule
in this State, and he rightly insisted
upon good men and honorable methods.
In these days of expediency, when COR
ruption has been rampant, when SO
many assume that politicians must be
dishonest, and seem ready to gloss over
and condone almost any wrong if com
mitted in the name of a party, some of
the remarks Of this great statesman
made in years gone by are exceedingly
timely. In speaking of our government
he declared: at is o government of
laws emanating from popular will, but
that will must be for honest and
worthy ends, accomplished by honor
able MEANS" "And to make public
principles secure" he said, "they
must be engrafted on private honor,
the wishes of an intelligent and up
right constituency must be reflected by
intelligent and faithful representa-
tives. We urge the people ofDela-
ware, and especially the Democrats, to
keep in their memories these wise
words and to insist upon the highest
standard both in men and in methods
In no other way can our State main
tain the proud record of the past; in
no other way can our party merit and
hold the confidence and support of the
people.
This State has lost its foremost citi-
zen and the world great statesman.
The life is closed, but we trust that
its influence for good may long be felt
in the world at large, and especially in
our own little State IF those silent
lips could speak, they would declare
that no object could be dearer to that
still heart.