Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1900-01-31
HON. FRANCIS E. MALL0Y
A Beautiful Tribute to His Memory by
Senator Perrin, of Chickasaw.

MallOy, OF Dubuque county. Senator
Malloy was reared from birth and laid
10 rest in this county, at Ossian, and
was so well known all over this section,
that we are glad to be able to reprint
the eloquent eulogy given in the Sen
ate by one of his colleagues, Senator
Perrin, of Chickasaw county:
"At the meeting of the Twenty-sev-
enth General Assembly of Iowa, there
came as the senator from Dubuque
county, Francis f. Malloy, 2S years of
age. He was the youngest member of
the body. He had been elected to rep
resent a leading county of the state.
His constituency controlled great
wealth, fostered extensive commercial
and manufacturing industries. His
city was center of learning and in
tellectual activity, and had produced
many eminent and distinguished cti-
zens commanding great influence in
the state and nation.
Naturally much was expected of the
young legislator, the burdens imposed
upon him were great. How we'll he
discharged the difficult and arduous
duties of his responsible Office, his con-
stituents and we who were his associ-
ates are ready to attest. He proved
himself thoroughly competent and
was prompt to meet every emergency.
While pronounced and forceful in
maintaining his opinions, he was
courteous and considerate of the rights
of others. He early gained the respect
Of the entire senate, and bore away
with him the esteem of all at the close
of the session. OF him it can well be
said:
His life was gentle, and the elements
SO mixed In him, that nature stand up
And say TO all the world.
z He was a man.
How startling was the news that
came to each of us, that Senator NAL
10y was dead The sorrow produced
by the sad intelligence was universal
and profound. And today we bow
under the shadow of our great loss.
Regretfully and tearfully we submit
10 the decree that has taken from us
our beloved friead We know that we
shall not look upon his form again, we
shall no more gaze into his intelligent
countenance, nor listen to his persua-
sive oratory. He has gone from us,
and we sigh in vain for the
Touch off vanished hand.
And the sound Of "a voice that is STILL
Why the rich promise of future sue
eessand usefulness was frustrated by
this untimely death is a problem that
finite wisdom cannot solve, and in
helpless perplexity we seek aimlessly
for consolation in our distress. A ship
passes before our metal vision, from
keel to toPmast penuon it is perfect in
every detail, under clear sky, with
all its sails filled by favoriDg breezes, 1t
walks upon the water like a thing of
life, swiftly it cuts the crested waves,
carrying its burden of precious lives
and costly merchandise. On it are
rentered fond hopes and anticipations.
As we gaze wrapped in admiration at
this thing of beauty, suddenly it
strikes hidden reef aud is quickly
buried in the vortex of the sea! A
momentary shudder passes over US.
Another scene presents itself. Strand
ed on barren beach, deserted and
neglected is the wreck of ship that
has buffeted the waves and withstoOd
the storms in many voyages until
worm-racked and distorted it has been
abandoned. Its tattered sails, its rot
ting spars, its falling masts, its wealth
er-scarred and Gaping hull present a
picture of desolation. Its long and
profitable service are forgotten in the
aeformity of its decadence. But the
ship that went down in mid-ocean, in
our Imagination ever sails majesticaliy
upon summers sea.
The life of Senator Malloy furnishes
a beautiful picture to hang on memo
ries' wall. We garland it with his
many virtues, and bedeck it with
pleasant iecollections.
He was translated from time to
eternity in the full vigor and strength
Of early manhood, with honors thick
upon him, and the future reckoning
him to still greater distinction. Old
age will never overtake him. TO
those whoknew him he will be always
young. And he will be ever remem-
bered as he was when called from the
scenes of his useful life.
Who can say whether it were better
30 fall early in the conflict of life,
sinking to rest crowned with honor,
in the full possession of mental facul-
ties, under sky bright with hopes
and anticipations; or to totter to the
tomb, bearing the scars cf many bat
ties, bowed with cares. confused with
disappointments and deformed by
mistakes.
All! many times are we inclined To
sympathize with the ancients in the
belief that those whom the gods love