Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-01-11
A SPEAKING CONGRESS
rhe FIfty-Fourth Recalled for It's
Talent in 0ratory.

Talent I'm Oratory.
1t has often been sad that the lat
Sunset Cox several times national rep
resentative from the state of New York
and whilom minister to Turkey, was the
poet of the Forty-fourth congress. Tha'
congress was especially chosen as the
/ basis for this distinction, because IL was
full of brilliant speakers. James q.
Blaine, Proctor Knott, Nathaniel L,
Banks, John A. Kasson. John Good, Jr.,
| Milton Saylor, Frank Hurd. Martin
Townsend, Randolph Tucker could Jug
gle with the English language in mas
lerly fashion. Yet Sunset Cox surpassed
them all.
In fair West Virginia, torn just new
with the discussions of the coal miners
strike, is the historical health resort of
Alum Springs. 1t lies in the beautiful
Blue Ridge mountains, and is not far
from Washington. To this secluded
nook Michael Kerr, the first speaker of
the Forty-fourth congress, was taken
MORALLY i'll. 1t was there that he died,
and at his deathIbed stood Sunset Cox,
A bitter cold Saturday in December
was set aside for the presentation of
suitable resolution on the death of the
speaker and the expression by members
Of the esteem in which they held him.
Among a goodly number, Sunset Cox
arose. From the magnificent tribute
he paid TO his dead friend, few who
heard it have forgotten that beautiful
word painting which described his pass
ing away.
"He died at the Alum Springs, in West
Virginia." said Mr.. Cox. 1T is an old |
resort, an interyale of beauty, charm. |
ing little park sweetly embosomed in
the Blue Ridge; lonely spot. with now
and then habitation, but with brac-
ing air, a splendid forest and grand .
mountains. There is a primeval quiz
stude .here, almost a summer afternoon
feeling, as II the lotus eaters Of Tenny +
son had made il a resort aioof from the
,ries of people that do come and 60.
The only noise is that Of murmuring
waters. IL was amid these solemn ST.
ences that his last weeks and hours
we're passed. Ii was amid these remote
nd pleasant hooks of nature that God
lnclosed his weary star. His was no
udden call. All preparations, secular
nd spiritual. possible were made by his
wn direction. The silver cord was not
Ut hurriedly, nor the golden bowl brok-
n in an Instant. The cord was gently
ntied; the golden bowl melted away,
> II it were a scarf Of vapory amethyst,
r rather as the light fades away from
he tirmamept at the coming of an
vening mild. just as the sun went
own his spirit peaceflly departed The
earl dropped from its wasted shell as
le sun passed behind the mountain.
here he lay IN the lap OF a lovelier ma
ire, by stiller streams and fairer 7
eadows than we are wont TO fancy In ,
me blest Already, but when death :
me it made the beauty of the noun. =
ins seem barren as the deeevt; the =
overs and LEAKAGE and rocks and hills /
ST their charm. the breeze its fresh I
ess. the song of the birds its music. and 5
e sweet shine Of the sun was ioyless. 3
1t fl the mountains did he feel his faith
] things responsive 10 the writings there -
'eathed Immortality, revolving life,
ID greatess still revolving-inhnite.
lere littleness was not; the least Of
things 4
emed infinite.
st Louis Republic a