Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-12-15
Z THE LATE BARNES COMPTON.
Baltimore sun, Doc. 80.


1t Is stereotyped obituary phrase to
say that the death of person Of prolni-
nence constitutes serious loss to his
community or his country, and one
which, in many cases, is rather the
tribute of charitable courtesy than OF
truth. But there are some persons OF
whom we can say this in all sincerity
and with absolute regard to facts.
Such man was Hon. Barnes Compton,
who passed away peacefully yesterday
at his modest homo at Laurel. There
will be but one verdict with respect to
him either us private individual or
as public official. His political on
ponepts were among his strongest adj
mirers, and they are among the first to
testify to the worth and beauty of his
character. OF personal enemies such
kindly and noble-hearted gentleman
could have few, If any. Those who
knew him and did not love him must
have been singularly ungracious and
unloving. In personal appearance and
courtly manners he was true example
of the best type of the Southern gentle
man. In courageous bearing in times
of peril, in gentleness and modesty in
the midst of party triumph and manly
composure in defeat he stood forth like
q figure in chivalry, and his name and
his strong personality are destined TO
live in the history of his State, ;ls they
will live in the memory and affection
of the party to which he was an orna.
ment and an honor. That one en-
trusted SO often with large RESPONSE.
bility and SO successful in attracting
the support Of the wealth and intelli-
gence of his party should pass away
without a stain upon his personal or
| official character, and with no doubt
fully acquired riches to cloud his fame
or signalize his cunning, is q circum-
stance rare indeed in the career of the
modern statesman Beneath the grace
full and winning exterior that made
him popular and attractive to all sorts
and conditions of men was solid
foundation Of honor and integrity
which no temptation or environment
could undermine CT corrupt. The death
of such man is q loss sincerely TO be
regretted by the public as well as by
his personal and party friends, but
there is consolation IN the thought that
he has not lived in vain and that his
example will remain to encourage and
stimulate others to high ideals of man
hood and honor.
SOME PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS.
Mr.. Compton was a delightful COM
panion, and he enjoyed popularity
such as few men have had. He was
always in Office, but he never forced
himself upon the people. In almost
every instance the office sought him.
| He had been personal and political
| friend of Senator German ever since
the advent Of that gentleman into tho
politics of Maryland, and it is said
that Mr.. German was sincerely at
tached to him and valued his friend
ship above that of all other mon.
After Mr.: Germans quarrel with
President Cleveland Mr.. Compton had
a long and confidential talk with the
| President, in which he frankly told
him that he differed with him in some
respects, and gave his reasons therefor.
| Mr.. Cleveland listened courteously to
all he said, and in parting he shook
hands with Mr.. Compton and said "If
all the members of Congress would deal
with me as fairly, sincerely and honor
ably as you do / would have but little
trouble
| While Mr.. COMPTON was fellow
member Of the board of public works
Of Maryland with Gov. William L.
Hamilton he disagreed entirely with
Mr.. Hamilton in his political policy in
State affairs, and Joined with the
comptroller in voting him down CON
tinually. But he never departed from
| his uniform courteous demeanor, and
personally he and the governor wero
the best of friends.
A notable trait of Mr.. Compton's was
his rigid adherence To the truth unon
every occasion, aud his unswerying re-
gard for his word. Nothing reused
him SO much as tho casting Of tho
slightest doubt upon any statement he
might make. He was exceedingly care
full, even in the most heated political
debate, to say nothing that could, be
construed as an exaggeration or as
deviating in the slightest degree from
the strict truth. He would never make
an assertion or place q construction
upon anything until he felt absolutely
sure that he was right and then he
resented with all the Indignation of q
gentleman of the old school any ma.
ticious or reckless criticism. Recently
he said, in conversation, that the great
bane of American public life was the
aspiring to positions for which they
were not fitted of ambitious men, anc
that this lowered the ideals which til,
people should always hold Of publ,
men.