The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-03-12

bankrupt in sentiment, whose sympathies
are so insensitive that no event can disturb
the tranquility Of their selfish lives. 1t is
therefore good for us to make this open
profession OF the grief that we each feel
for the death of our friend and benefactor.
Such demonstrations have their public uses
in softenng character and blending into
harmony tie discordant notes of competit-
i've strife and the friction of effort. They
tend to the solidiication OF the people and
to the nurture of ii public spirit, the true
expression Of l"cii patriotism. Let us
in the future tax" note OF this lesson of
adversely and avail ourselves of the uses of
its teachings.
Less than twenty years ago Mr.. William
M. Sineerly had not personal acquant-
ance in Etkton; today, every man, woman
and child nouns the loss Of a personal
friend. The gentlemen who are to address
you this evening will, have no Doubt
graphically describe to you the great ma
WI lul nv HAS W
aud they will tell you, moreover, how his
coming has stimulated every interest in
this county. Eut it is the impersonal and
sentimental side of his character that it
pleases me best to contemplate. He not
only delighted to see us grow in population
and wealth, but he felt a personal interest
in the welfare and happiness of each of us
as individuals. His attachment to Elkton
WAS sincere and demonstrative, and he pro-
claimed it on all occasions. He has re-
peatedly spoken to me Of his fondness for
and admiration of the people OF Cecil,
based upon bis experience Of their candor
and fair dealings; and those who were
nearest him in his last days, when humli-
ated by his misfnrtunes, and broken hearted
by the deserton of old friends, and the
scandalous aspersions of new born enemies,
know how closely he was drawn to us and
how he loved the evidences of good will
and tender sympathy which he received
from US. There was from US no discoldant
note OF reproach, no innuendo of suspicion.
This il testimony worth preserving as
attesting our fidelity to him in the day of
his trial.
His financial failure was the direct result
OF bis large eartedness and his love for his
fellowman. will never forget an occasion
when, in discussing with me the founda-
ton of a new enterprise, and replying to
some conservative objection | suggested
how his face frightened up, and with what
EN- phass he declared that nothing gives
me more pleasure than to see men at work.
you know how many men are this day in
my employmeut?' "Twenty-live hun
dred." We have here at one and the same
time the key to his character, and the ex
PLANTATION of his failure.
What more fitting epitaph could be en-
graved on marble monumental to his men,
Dry?
There is another hut similar aspect of his
character of which | am perhaps best
qualified to speak-his benevolence, his
charity He set new and heretofore un
known standard for the duty of employers
OF labor-no man was ever hurt at work
for him that he did not care for him most
generously. Not only did he provide for
his every need, hut his pay was continued
during his disability; and when death
came all expenses of burial were betrayed,
and the name of his widow was carried on
the payrolls. Only the clouds of gath
ering storm which ultimately wrecked his
fortune prevented his founding aud endow-
ing cottage hopital or our uses.
The loss of such IA man would be
calamity to any people.
No man has dominated this community
as has this man; aud few men have domi-
mated any community so unseliishly so
beneiiccntly