The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-09-03
PRESIDENT wooDRUFF's DEATH


Death makes tragedy of the long
est life. At the end of all the acts and
changing scenes of mans career, when
the last line is uttered and the last
step taken, when there is nothing more
to be said and nothing more to be done,
the spectre stalks upon the stage and
the drama of companionship becomes
the tragedy of separation.
The death of the venerable president
of the Church of Latter-day Saints
was not unexpected, since long ago he
passed the limit of mans allotted
time. And yet the announcement yes
terday carried gloom TO many home.
The sad news passed from mouth to
mouth with many a word of keen re-
greet; and many an eye was dimmed
as those who knew and loved him
heard the tidings.
The great heart of a devoted people
beat in sympathy for the good man
gone. and all united in expressions of
profound respect Tor the nouored dead.
Criticism was suspended; the voice of
sectarian prejudice was hushed
The departed was no longer the
head of a denomination, the apostle
of a creed, but a fellow citizen, civil
ian, a pioneer. respected for his integ-
rity and loved for his simplicity of
character.
1t was the man who had crossed the
plains, had looked from yonder noun
tain down upon a barren vale, had
helped to build the city and to found
the state. that men recalled when they
heard Of Wnfori Woodruff's death.
There We're those who differed from
his religious views, but none who ques-
toned his devotion to the cause to
which his life was dedicated. Even
those who doubted others of his faith
could not doubt the sincerity of Pres
ident Woodruff. He was bound I'D in
his church, and his aim was the good
of his people.
Adler men might have done worse
in his position during the critical per-
iod of his presidency. But he was ever
Jealous. ever constant, devoid of
worldly ambition and untainted with
avarice.
Such was the man from whom the
vital spark had gone out, and even
those who disagreed with him in life
forgot. for the time being, all but the
genial, kind, gentle. amiable old man,
whose whole life, according to the ten
cts of his faith, was earnest, pious and
pure
Milford Woodruff lived for more than
four score years and ten. He was born
in 1907, lived through all the wars of
this republic, except the revolution, and
saw the close of the war with Spain.
He lived before Florida was a part of
this country. He was in Utah while
it was still a part of Mexico. He was
a living monument of events, a me-
mortal Of changes which invested him
with a peculiar interest aside from any
belief he had or position he held
After his birth the application of
steam was made by Robert Fulton. The
railroad. the telegraph, telephone, cleo
trio light. trolley and scores of other
inventions were unknown in the days
of his youth.
In fact, the whole story of the mod
ern world is included in the period be-
tween his birth and death. The French
republic and the German empire have
been formed. Italy united, Turkey dis
membered. China and Japan opened to
commerce, Africa explored. Australia
civilized. and our own great govern
ment extended from ocean to ocean.
President Woodruff passed almost
entirely through the worlds greatest
century. He was with his church in
its darkest days and with his people
in their greatest troubles.
Long and trying was his journey
from the cradle to the grace. His rest
is earned.