Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-06-16
CHAMP cLARK'S TRIBUTE.
Distinguished Missourian Places
Chaplet of LaureIs Upon His
Former Colleagues Bier.

BOWLING GREEN, MO-, June 15.-(Spe-
cial) Congressman Champ Clark, who
knew the late Congressman Bland inti-
mately, said of him to-day:
Richard Parks Bland was a unique
character. God in His infinite wisdom ney-
er created a more honest or more courage
Gus man.
THE history of the United States cannot
be written without giving this plain Mis-
souri, farmer Il conspicuous place. During
the last quarter of a century he exerted
more Influence than any other American
statesman. The great place he fills in the
hearts and minds of men demonstrates
what can be accomplished by a brave and
unwavering advocacy of one idea. Bland $
history of the long agitation for the res
toration of silver to its place of ancient
honor in the coinage system of the world.
Wherever money is used or civilization
abounds his name is familiar to the ears
OF men. and is mentioned with reverence
and affection in languages to which he
was an utter stranger.
his connection with the money question
was so prominent, the reputation which he
built up on that issue was so towering,
that his services in other matters have
been overlooked or forgotten. He came
near defeating or emascu1ating the Nc
hlniey tarin bnl by a sudden and unex-
pected tactical move worthy of the genius
Of Napoleon. On the last day of the de-
bate, he offered an amendment TO the eff
feet that all foreign imports which were
exchanged for American agricultural ex-
ports. or paid for with the proceeds of
such exports. should come in free of duty
That amendment, IL adopted. would have
-peen the longest step toward free trade
ever taken on this continent and IT was
about to stampede Western Republican,
congressman representing agricultural dis
tricts. So imminent was the danger 70 the
bill that rule for postponing the final vote
10 later hour was adopted to give time
10 get in all the members and even then
BANDS amendment was defeated only nv
n scratch. so that he really missed nv a
narrow margin winning the greatest of all
victories in the long controversy about the
-. tariff. >i
Though he made such a profound i'm
preston upon the age in which he lived
he possessed none of the qualities gen,
orally associated in the popular lima gina
tlon. with successful political career
While luminous speaker. he was not an
orator He was not q good handshaker
he was no manipulation He had no per
sonal Inagnetism and he was utterly ig-
norant of the tricks of practical poiitics
He was what Mark Antony claimed 10 he
- and what Mark was not. a plain, blunt
man. who loved his friends He uas ~
the stun out of which martyrs arc ma5o
and would have gone to the block the
gfbbet or the stake undauntedly for Win =
he considered right Simple as a child he
could not be coaxed, wheedled or hnIIiad
into swerving even the breadth of a
hair IRON the path Of duty as he saw his
duty While bashful in department and
modest in his estimate of his own canacity
he possessed an unexcelled fndenendenca
OF character that CHALLENGED adrnirstin,,
He would not have fattered Nent,,na g.
his trident or Jove for his power to thun.
In what then lay this mans extraordi,.