The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1898-05-03
ON THE LATE SENATOR EARLE.
THE Tributes IN THE HOUSE

NSiOnuth IA VI VI -
VIM. Stokes, OF Ora~ngcDurg, Re.
preventative of the Seventh Con-
grcssional District in South Caro-
lima,
Greenvillc Mountaincer.
In the House Of Representatives, on
the 23rd inst the business session WAS
suspended in order that opportunity
be given for tribute to the memory OF
the late Joseph IL. Earle, Of this city,
q Senator from South Carolina. The
customary resolutions were introduced
by Hon. William Elliott, OF the First
District, who gave u most accurate
and appropriate sketch OF the life and
services OF Senator Earle, with whom
he was intimately associated for many
years. He was followed in earnest
and feeling tributes by Mcssrs. Edward
l. Hamilton, Of Michigan, VIM. l..
Terry, Of Arkansas, w. Jasper Talbert,
Of South Carolina, Samuel w. Il. Lam
I ham, Of Texas, A. G.. Latimcr, Of South
Carolina, Samuel j. Barrows, Of Mas
sachusetts, James Y. McCleary, Of
Minnesota, j. VIM. Stokes, james
Norton aud Stanyarno Wilson, Of South
Carolina. The remarks OF DR.. Stokes
are herewith appended in full
MIR. Speaker: We do most honor
ourselves when we bestow upon the
hOnOreu dead the just need of praise.
For the purposes Of earthly existence
that .raise, however high and how
ever worthily bestowed, is Lowerless
to benefit he departed spirit. The
word OF pcaise and appreciation spar.
ingly uttered OF Wholly withheld when
1t would have been priceless for in.
SEPARATION to noble achievement falls
nov upon deaf cars. The pulses that
might have thereby been thrilled with
! nooIer aspiration are now dull and I'm.
responsive. And yet it is not u fruit
less function that We perform to day.
The tribute bestowed upon the
worthy dead, like the quality OF mercy,
blcsses the giver as well as the bene'
iciary. Our Own hearts and minds
are chastened and subdued by these
solemn pauses in the absorbing pur
suits of active life.
In this aspect alonG they are wei.
worth the time expended. But there
is another use, let us hope.
PowerleSs as they are upon the deaC
for inspiration or achievement, bu
potent in their reflex upon ourselves
they may be even more potent for com
fort, for consolation to the family ant
friends. They may even prove fruit
full Of high ideals in the minds o
younger men-idcals of thought, ideal
Of activity, ideals OF Christian living
MIR. Speaker, it vas not my FORUM
to know Senator Earle intimately
Our.lives had few points OF tangency
unusually few for men i'll active publ
service in the same State. The circle
Of cur Official functions touched bu
seldom those of our social and pei
sOnal almost never.
We differed widely upon politics
questions OF absorbing interest. Fac
was an active partisan of his particula
school Of thought, but always unde
the ;cyis OF the great Democratic o.
ganizatior. From this aspect it mlgt
be proper and natural for me to COZ
fine myself TO some silent testimOni
of sorrow for the untimely death
our fallen brother. Some silent tribut
OF respect for his memory, some mut
tender OF sympathy to the loved on,
eft behind, might fill the measure
easonable expectation leaving
hose who knew him we'll the sd
lough grateful task Of portraying h
virtues.
But, Mr.. Speaker, there is anotht
anu ulhetchG aspect. "nllc D n
tor Earle did not belong to me in TT
sense of personal friendship, yet, in
wider sense, as a distinguished Car
linian, one who has contributed
worthy page to the history Of our Stat
he Is the property OF all Carolinian
and | am here to-day to testify to til
country that he has a sure abidin
place in the esteem and affection
all factions and all parties in his ow
State. la Il still broader sense, as
patriotic American, as a noble exp,
nent Of Christian citizenship, he ha
become the property Of US ali. His VI
right life in public station and i
private walk has become a part of tn
rich heritage OF our common cOuntr
The measure OF the richness OF tha
heritage IL is the high privilege of hi
colleagues in the House and Senate t
unfold to the country at large. In tn
presence OF this public sorrow. thi
pubic calamity, we stano with head
bowed yet our hearts are aglow wit
generous pride over the triumphs L
our fallen c0mrade. In this presenc
we forget all differences; we bury for
ever all personal rivalries and animosi
ties, and turn away from the contem
plation OF all save the ennobling lesson
OF Il noble life.
[ have said that | had little oppor
tnnity for personal test and study a
close range OF the character of Senate
Earle. That is true in a literal sense
and yet | have touched his taneepts
SO to speak, at many points. On,
thing has impressed me particularly
the uniformity OF the impression h,
made upon those who came into per
sonal contact with him. That impress
sion most frequently found expression
IN a uniformity of uttera,ce.
HE is a high-minded nam or s
high man seemed to be the form O
expression spontaneously suggested il
the minds Of most people and the
genuineness Of the quality which il
expressed was ate ! In the most
practical and searching way, in this,
that in .he midst OF heated political
campaigns, when party and factionaI
feeling ran high, no man, however
bltterlg opposed, ever charged or. [
think, for a moment seriou ly Thought
OF dishonesty or dishonor Ia the same
connection with this man.
Again, MIR. Speaker; the rare quality
OF the man was cOncretely evidenced
In the fact that though Senator Earle
in 1890 led the most vigorous and ag.