Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1899-02-24

that remembrance today as one Of the
pleasant memories Of the past. His life
1T seems to me is al example of what
can be accomplished by a man who is
honest and energetic under IL republi-
can institutions. He held various of
fees in our state. He was postmaster at
Mandan, treasurer of Morton county,
state auditor, and died while holding the
high and honorable position of governor
OF this state. Marc Antony in his ora
ton Owe the dead body of Julius Caesar
said, 81 come to bury Caesar, not to
praise him; the evil that men do lives
after them, the good is oft Inferred with
their bones: SO let it be with Caesar"
But with Governor Briggs, if there was
anything wrong in his life it lies buried
with him under the sod and we cherish
his memory and remember him as the
kind father, the loving husband, the true
friend and the honest, able, efficient Of
ticer in whatever position of trust the
votes of the people of this state placed
him.
The Lieutenant Governor: Gov. Frank
Briggs was an enthusiastic Mason, and
the chair desires to recognize S. ]. Hill
OF Forge who will. speak of him in the
SNEASAoy VI q AAStSO1ls ..".
DIR. S. j. III
MI. President and Gentlemen: OF
Governor Briggs l knew but little, but
as our brother | counted him as my
friend. My acquaintance with him be-
gan in the grand lodge of the state. of
North Dakota, where without a thought
on his part. he was elected to the posi-
finn nf CrrnoI fpNp -, n D,,l - e..
prised man than he was not on the floor.
He had reached the highest position in
the gift of his own lodge. He was an
active member Of his chapter. He had
reached the highest point in the com
mandery to which he belonged; he was
grand treasurer at one time of the grand
c~ommandery Of the state, and at all re-
unions at the city Of Fargo, no one re-
ceived a more hearty welcome than
Frank A. Briggs. When he met with
us there he was no longer governor, but
he was Frank. Or Brother Briggs. In
the Scottish Rite he had received the
32nd degree, and by a unanimous vote
of the supreme council in Washington,
he had been elected as knight command,
CT of the court of honor. When the
news came to us that he was gone, We
all felt a sense Of personal loss, and the
Knights Templar of our city sor.
rowfully left their business to meet
his remains rs they passed through OF
the funeral train, and pay a last tribute
of respect to our loved Sir Knight and
for the last time say, "Pilgrim, fare
WE'LL"
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DEvINE.
Lieutenant Governor Dcvine said:
Gentlemen of the Joint Assembly
When the electric spark flashed intelli
gence throughout this state that Gov
ernor Briggs was dead, a feeling of gcnu
inc sadness was felt everywhere and
thousands had lost a personal friend. NJ
man can foretell the mysterious issues o
life and death. Few who saw Frank A
Briggs at the beginning of the last scs
sion thought that death would SO soor
cast his pale shadow upon the then ap
parently healthy body and vigorous
mind.
How uncertain is the future! Today
life is bright, the sea is calm, the tide
swells high and strong; tomorrow thu
tide turns, business trouble, sickness OF
death robs us of hope and pleasure
From the calm and beautiful river where
we foated so confidently we are rudel,
tossed out upon the wide ocean. The
horizon stretches far beyond our vision
and the break of its restless wave:
comes from depths that are unfathoma
BILE. Vainly struggling we either sink t(
the tranquil depths where all is peace or
tempest torn and faint, are cast upon thu
shore.
Well may the poet exclaim:
What is life? A bright delight;
a sun scarce Frightening ere it sinks III night
a flower at morning fresh, at noon dccaycd;
A still, swift river gliding into shade"
The man who would know lifc's true
secret must learn to live sin deeds, not
years; in thoughts, not breaths: in feel
ings not in figures on Il dial: to count
time in h~eart-throbs. He most lives who
thinks most, feels noblest and acts best.
The first time I saw Frank A. Briggs
the thought that struck me most forci
bly, was the strong, cheerful and kindly
expression Of his face. He had a hearty
genial manner, with a pleasant smile ant
Il kind word for every one. He inspired
confidence and men trusted him and ac
cepted his leadership, because the,
knew he would not do or say a foolish
thing, not be caught in an untenabl'
position. Prominently a safe man i
could be counted upon that he would