Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-04-06
PORTRAIT OF Mr.. BAYARD.

tertNubts
The oil portrait of the late Hon
Thomas F. Bayard, painted ny Mrs.
Gheretein Y. Pyle, wife OF pr, JoseRm
p. Pyle, for City Council, was ioruaiiy
presented to the body Thursday nighc
the committee on public buiIdihgs'
with appropriate ceremony. IN az
dition to the members OF Councii,
many spectators were present. among
the number being Mrs. pyle, tne
artist, Miss Linda Palmer and FRANK
NJ. Jones, who accompanied her. 49,.
The portrait. which is true IKE.
ness Of the great statesman, has been
placed in nassivo gilt frame ano
presents handsome appearance. Dur,
ing the ceremony last evening u rested
upon an easel near President Leitchs
desk, in full view of the members and
visitors.
After Council had disposed OF the
general business before 1t Mr.. l'eary
offered the report of the committee on
public buildings, which stated that
the picture of Mr.. Bayard, which It
had been ordered to have painted, had
been completed and it was the pleasure
of the committee to present it to Coun-
Gil. in making the presentation, how
ever, Mr.. Leary said 1t was fitting that
IL be accompanied by appropriate cere.
mony, and City Solicitor Conrad had
kindly consented to make the presenta-
ton speech on behalf of the com
mittee. Mr.. Conrad, upon being IN
troduced by President Leitch, spoke
as follows:
"Mr. President, Mr.. Mayor and Gen
tlemen Of Council: | accepted with
pleasure the suggestion of the COM
mittee to appear at this stage OF the
presentation and represent them form
ally in presenting the portrait to Coun-
ell. The invitation coming only lew
days ago, had very little time to
collect my thoughts and no time to
prepare formal speech. l have been
| impressed with the appropriateness OF
| Council procuring this portrait. IL is
intended to hang upon the walls OF this
council chamber or in any city hall
which may be erected in this city at
any future time, and as the city hall
| always represents the head and centre
of Wilmington, the birthplace and
| place where almost the entire life OF
| the distinguished citizen was spent,
| the occasion is exceedingly fitting.
"When the death of Mr.. Bayard was
announced last September at the resi-
dence of his daughter in Massachu
sets, the entire community realized
| that Delaware had lost her most dis.
tinguished citizen. With ono accord
we can say that in our generation Hon.
Thomas +. Bayard was prominently
the first citizen of Delaware.
"He came of distinguished ancestors.
His grandfather, James A. Bayard,
served in Congress from 1876 to 1903.
Hon. James A. Bayard was one of the
most important men in tho country.
There was no more important man in
national affairs during the war of 1872.
When the war was over the United
States sent commissioners, Just as al
the close of tho recent war, to adjust
treaty of peace. That treaty was the
Treaty of Client. james A. Bayart
was one Of those commissioners, anC
with him served John Adams and
Henry Clay. Mr.. Bayard had hardl,
reached his home in this city wheff
he died, his death occurring In 1914
United States Senator from Delaware.
James A. Bayard and uncle Of Thomas
Of the State and one of the frs
mayors of Wilmington.
In 1851 the father OF Thomas #
Bayard was elected United States Sena
tor from Delaware and served con
tinuously in the Senate from 1851 t,
1868. In 1863, as you will recall
brings us to the days when party feel
ing ran high, as result Of the rc
bellion. When Mr.. Bayard went tt
take his seat ia the Senate for tn,
third term, he objected to the oatl
which was then required, known a
the ironclad oath, and refused to TAX
that oath and resigned his seat. Ii
the following winter the Legislature
elected George Read Riddle Unitec
States Senator and he served unit
1867. when he died,
"On January 10Th, 1869, James A
Bayard, father of Thomas F. Bayard
was elected by the Legislature Unitet
States Senator for the short term iron
that time until the 4th of March fol
lowing. Thomas f. Bayard, the son
was elected at the same time United
States Senator for the long term, al.
years from the 4th of March. As
result Of that election the father wa
Senator until noon of March ith an,
the son was Senator from noon on
That is the only instance in the his
tory of the United States where fathe
and son served rs Senator on tho sam
day.
Hon Thomas F. Bayard's publ
career virtually began on the 4th o
March, 1863, when he was first oectet
Senator. and continued almost withou
interruption, for nearly 80 years, unit
nearly 1899.
His father intended, during hi
youth that he should be merchant an,
at the fathers suggestion he was pu
through course of mercantile trainin
with his brother in-lsw, in New York
and subsequently in Philadelphia. II
was thus engaged from tho time he wa
10 years of ago until he was about 90
but changes arose in the family whicl
resulted in his coming back to vii
mington, where he studied law. II
afterward went TO New York and late
to Philadelphia. Subsequently,, how
ever, he came back 10 Wilmington an,
in 1858 began to practice law hor
!, with his father, which he CONTINUES
] until the time he entered upon hi
. public life.
, He served in tho United State
, Senate from 1860 until 1885. Mr.
Cleveland was first elected Prosiden
in 1884, and at tho beginning of hi
term, in 1885, he called Mr.. Bayard t
serve as Secretary of State, wbic
| Office Mr.. Bayard filled with honor /
himself and to the nation. For III
four years following Mr.. Cleveland
irst term Mr.. Bayard lived PRACTICAL
retired life at his home in Wilmino
/ ton. That was as near retired III
as he had lived since no began hi