The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-11

Resolutions expressive OF tho regret OF
the Senate al the death OF the late Repre-
sentative Richard Parks Bland Of Mis-
souri, were called up by Mr. Cockrell in
The Senate at / O'Clock yesterday alter
noon. and euIogies upon The dead STATS
man we're pronounced by Messrs. Vest,
Jones Of Nevada Berry. Lindsay. Carter,
Daniel. Teller. Allison, Jones Of Arkansas,
Stewart and Cockrell. The first address
was delivered by Mr. Vest the senior Sen
stor from Missouri When he had con
cluded there were few dry eyes in the
Senate chamber In beginning his re
marks Mr. Vest said:
II a man die shall he live again? has
been the great question presented 10 our
race In every age as generation after gen
Grafton has come and gone. Happy is the
human being whose intellect and con-
science with divine faith answers this
question. I know that my Redeemer
Iveth He OF whom / shall speak briefly
today could so answer this question
Mr.. Vest said thar Mr. Bland was not a
political graphophone always speaking.
ror even an imporJunste mendicant for
popular applause. He was an earnest
honest. modest man, with a strong intel
lect and profound conviction Of duty. He
was the father and pioneer OF bimetallism
in the United States and gave his life to
that cause.
..BimetalIism.~ said Mr. Vest. means
ar.as Sc aar.rrgs
Richard P. Bland should have been the
nominee Of the Democratic party. naturally
and logically. at the great National Con
vention OF 1896 held at Chicago. l know
personally tha; he did not desire that
nomination. He knew his precarious
health. and that the icy finger Of death
might touch him at any moment. | know
from his own lips that he dreaded the labor
ard responsibility Of the Presidential can
vass and Of the great Office, He was de-
fested: as all the leaders Of great popular
movements who had borne the heat and
burden Of the day and excited the bitter
opposition Of opponents have always been
defeated in all ages and countries when
success was about TO crown their efforts.
Political parties are actusted not by graft
Jude. but by the hope Of success. 1t has al
ways been SO. and will be SO till the end of
time
The regicides Of England who beheaded
Charles the First before his palace al
Whitehall did not long retain the power
they grasped. but surrendered il in short
time 10 Cromwell and his associates. Dan
ton and the leaders Of the Gironcists who
inaugurated the French Revolution and
dragged the King and Queen Of France to
their graves followed, in a few short
months. On the same gloomy road. In our
own political history Henry Clay, the great
leader Of the old Wing party, the father Of
the American system which now dominates
the country. the most magnetic orator who
ever spoke In the Senate Of the United
States. was showed aside in 1918 10 make
room for Zachary Taylor, whose political
opinions were almost unknown to the con-
vention that nominated him. William II.
Seward and Charles Sumner sat by the
cradle Of the Republican party and de-
Tended its childhood against the vitriolic
eloquenee Of the southern leaders.
William H. Seward was defeated In
1860 by Abraham Lincoln. who. but two
years before was unknown outside The
limits Of his own state. And SO. IN 1886
Richard p Bland. the veteran leader Of
bimetallism. who had stood by its banner
while others faitered and deserted, was
put aside by a young and brilliant orator
who was a schoolb0y when Mr.. Bland in
troduced and secured the passage through
the House Of Representatives in 1878 OF
the first bill providing for the free and IN
limited coinage Of silver at the ratio Of l6
10 l. Always has it been so. The hands
which today placed their idol on the ped
estal OF popular favor viii shatter hat
idol on the morrow"
Mr. Vest went on to speak Of Mr.. BANDS
domestic virtues and said
His loyalty TO wife and children was
shown in Chicago. When the bigoted and
fanatic, and Shiny demagogues assaulted
him because his wife was a Roman Cath
Ollie and Was educating his children in that
belief. his answer touched the heart OF
manhood throughout the country;
Yes, he said my wife is a Roman
Catholic. an a Protestant. and shall live
and die one. But my great regret is that
I am not half such a Christian as the
woman who bears MY name and Is the
mother OF my children
When be left this city he went to his
modest home in the Ozark Mountains, in
Missouri-all the estate that he had after
twenty-five years service in the National
Capital. When death had struck him and
taken from him the power OF speech his
last movement was TO extend his hands in
mute benediction above the heads OF dear
ones kneeling around him.
Mr.. President his body lies In the soil
Of the great Commonwealth. whose Deo-
pie loved and honored him 50 long His
spirit has passed across the dark river. to
be greeted on the other side by she Eve
children who went before him.
The night is gone. and with the morn OBJ, suceI
faces smile
whica be lad loved long since. and lo-. while.
Statesman. patriot gentleman aud
dear friend farewell
The last Of the eulogies closed al 500.
and then. as a further mark OF respect.
the Senate adjourned until today.