The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-04-25

for many years.
Although insidiously deprived OF the
fruits Of his victory, Bland did not
lose heart Having abiding faith n
the people. he led 4 crusade against
the S;aracen. He opened anew The tight
for bimetallism. Ii was {: persistent
and glorious tight--onc rot Yet enued.
All admire the gallant struggle made
today for the freedom Of the Trans
vaal Bland stood as firmly for tree
coinage He defended every kopje.
traversed every vcldt and fought With
a teLacity that astonished the world.
His attacks upon the opposition were
so we'll delivered, strenuous and suS-
tanned that at times he drove his ad-
yersaries to insinccre and humiliatlnS
devices At times victory seemed to
be almost within his grasp, at times
as hopeless Us the search for the phi
losophcr's stone. In every vlclssltude
he was beset by dcsertions, in every
crisis loaded with obloquy. His prowess
breasted every difficulty
Like 10 the Pontic sea,
Whose icy currea: and cornpulsive coU'Se
Ne er feels retiring ebb but keeps due on
To the Propon.c and the Hellespont.
Leader Of the People.
"Think for Il moment. Mr.. Speaker.
Of the bright satellites that set out With
him on what seemed like a holiday ex-
cursion. How many fell by the way.
low many turned against him. Look
over this house. take Il glance at the
scnatc-aye. cast your eyes even upon
the presidential chair-and then COM
pute. ii you can. the strength of the
mighty tide that turned against him.
And yet. undaunteG. answering. un-
complaining. he held his course With
undertaking fidelity.
lie was as constant and abiding as
the northern star amid a shower OF
swerving meteorS. Defying mutiny.
like the great navigator who gave man
kind a new world, his hope nc'cr dim
med, his purpose never changed. low
ever wild tie tempest. however strong
the believing flood Of passion. hc pur-
sued al unvaryin@ course. He was the
great political navigator Of the people.
sailing upon the ocean of destiny. with
the Declaration of independence as
his guiding star and the constitution
as his compass.
"Mr Speaker this hall is still ring
ing with his manly words. They were
the coinage of his convictions. His SIN
ceritv alone would have made him
more than conspicuous: his ability and
devotion to the principles advocated so
persistently made him truly great. He
had an academic but no collegiate
training. Nor had he Travelled in the
realm of metaphysical disquisition. but
he had delved in the gold and silver
mines of the Pacific slope. had prac-
ticed law AID fought Indians on the
border and. like Cincinnatus Of old.
had followed the plow. 1t was 4 grand
training for the role which he was to
fill Born in Kentucky, every fiber OF
his body, every filament of his brain.
every scintillation of his intellect was
American.
There was 4 halo about him at all
times that forbade either the charge or
thought Of selfishness. His life was 4
chapter of consistent and faultless log
ic. Oratory cannot adorn it; detraction
cannot dcface it.
.'Sir, memory is u never fading mir
ror. 1t reflects the scenes Of other
days. We who knew him can still see
that modest but firm man rising here
in his place. treading these aisles, stop
ping to meet an inquiry, turning firmly
to an attack. leading an onset, never
beating retreat.
Richard 2. Bland was fitting type
Of the old time statesman, now, alas.
fading away. He belonged to the gen
GRAFTON that produced the founders OF
the republic He had the true Revolu-
tionary grit. He would have been 4
worthy colleague Of Jefferson, Madison
and Monroe. He was builder, Tot
destroyer. He strove to pull down ev-
erything vicious in craftsmanship and
to raise everything wholesome to a
common level.
Whether on the floor, in committee
or listening to chat in the cloakroom.
he was essentially thoughtful. There
was a ripping strain Of humor about
him, but his face never lost its cast OF
thoughtfulness. His friendship was
sterling silver; his affection pure gold
Sir, rejoice in my atiiliation with such
a man. 1t is better than gold and pre-
cious stones. He left his imprint upon
the legislation Of this house. When
the seeker after truth comes to study
the great men who have shaped the
destinies of the republic. he will flnd
Richard p. Bland among the immor-
tails. Future historians will linser ocr
his name and gladly preserve his
fame"
Webster Davis Resignation.
The Boec agitation in this country is
growing hot. In my judgment it is be-
coming so hot that the administration
will be compelled to show its hand