The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1900-02-27
TRIBUTE TO GOV.
WILLIAM GOEBEL

To give space to a tribute tc
Gov. Goebel, written by Mr.. J.
M. Richardson, a man who had
known him long and intimately,
Democrats Of like metal, who had
gone out together in thought, who
abode in the same Democratic
structure, we offer no apology to
our champions Of the same cause.
Soldiers contending for those prin-
ciples which both protect and ele-
vate the common people, we offer
no apology.
Il will do my duty, If l fall,
my death will be to the Demo
cratic party what the blowing up
OF the Maine was to Cuba.
Tell my friends to be brave
and fearless and loyal to the great
common people. "
When William Goebel died by
foul assassin hand, a. most mas
terful man and mind went down
into the valley OF the shadow OF
death. He lowered above his
race like Saul of old; he fell as
falls the mighty forest-oak riven
by the lightning of the Storm "A
stealthy murderer; an unerrlng
aim; a bullet that sped true to its
horrid intent-and the deed that
even the hends Of hell shrek and
shrink from, is done. Snufed
out as a candle in the night-watch-
es, the end comes to life barely
poisoning into its rich fruition of
promise and deed. None like him
came before him; none like him
will follow after him. There is
none left to bend his bow.
"He sleeps his last sleep,
He has fought his last battle,
No sound can awake him to glory
again"
Beg oud all belief as is the horror OF
his death, the crown OF martyrdon
fuiugly closes life that was on
long tragedy. Born In poverty rear
ed in surroundings most humble
fighting the battle of lite giimly, SIM
gle handed with a desperation thai
never tagged or faltered with an
iron will that strengthened as oppo-
-ilion grew fierce, successes came TO
him wrung from reluctant fate At
hostages OF war and victory. He wa
a born fighier-lor no leader can
stand in the front rank Of battle -un-
less he fights-aud that he was lead
er created of God even his enemie-,
now that he is under the sod, freely
admit. For him 10 rose ever blOOm-
ed over the garden-wall OF politics
tor him there were thorns all along
the pathway of life-even to the crown
at the eud for him the struggle OF
,es,e day w=s sucoeeded Oy the fierce
contest OF to-day toI him there wa
no advance save over the bodies of hi'
enemies. No mortal man was ever
more relenles-ly pursued by his fVe'
no man ever rallied more devoted
irieuds around him. From the hour
when, a mere stripliug, his license wal
placed in his hands, he was the mari
OF venom, of malice, of envy and o
persecution. All this he accepted
with a challenging defiance, a. his 10
in life. Blow he gave for blow; "a
5er.stroke be repaid with rspier
thrust; face to face with his euemieI
ne stood mau to man, and fought wit
lion -heart. Small wonder that h'
triumphed-for in truth he was
very Andrew Jackson Of man-thI
incarnation of American manhood.
He was hone.t. In all the heat o
the brutal contest from which he sn'
aud we have but emerged, MT one
Wa HE persona! honesty called il
r question. With dollars by the thou
r sands neaped up in his path for th
pocketing, the full term OF his flee
holding was without spot or blemish
"Tne one consolation l have" b.
palhetically exclaimed when the figh
,gainst him was hercesi, sis that n
. N ,u can trpthiully accuse me Of COZ
e ruption, or dishonesty in fiji e..
Founded on the bedrock of slerIiu
honesty, even The snsrling back
o. piter-, the black winged vutnles ie
on corporation of al and feed to pluc
ms heart out, the Shiny things mas
qnrradi4g as men but 'quirming t
10 the devils bidding, could they de-