The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-11
bis MEMORY REVERHD
Eulogies in the Senate on the Late
Representative Bland.
Tributes to the Life md Character
of the Exponent of the Free Coin
age of Sfl,cr-An Earnest Modest
Man, With n Profound Conviction
Of Duty-Tbe Address of Mr. Vest.

Resolutions expressive OF the regret OF
the Senate at 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 after
noon. and eulogies 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 Sem
ator from Missouri. When he had con-
cluded there were few dry eyes in the
Senate chamber. In beginning his re
marks Mr.. Vest said:
If a man die shall he live again?' has
been the great question presented to 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
Iiveth' He of whom | shall speak briefly
today could so answer this question
Mr.. Vest said that Mr.. Bland was not a
political graphophone-always speaking,
ror even an importunate mendicant for
popular applause. He was an earnest,
honest, modest man, with a strong intel
lect and profound convio tion of duty. He
was the father and pioneer of bimeiallism
in the United States and gave his life to
that cause.
..BimetalIism," said MIR. Vest. means
liberty. the cornerstone of free institutions.
II
nominee of the Democratic party, naturally
and logically, at the great National Con-
yention Of 1896 held at Chicago. l know
personally that 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
and 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 10 crown their efforts.
Political parties are ac-uated not by graft
tude, but by the hope of success. 1t has al
ways been So and will be so till the end of
time.
Charles the First before his palace at
Whitehall did not long retain the power
they grasped but surrendered it in short
time TO Cromwell and his associates. Dan
ton and the leaders Of the Girondists 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 1913 10 make
room for Zachary Taylor, whose political
opinions were almost unknown TO the con-
vention that nominated him. William H.
Seward and Charles Sumner sat by the
cradle of the Republican party and de-
Tended its childhood against the vitriollc
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 faltered and deserted, was
put aside by young and brilliant orator
who was a schoolboy when Mr. Bland in
troduced and secured the passage through
the House of Representatives in 1873 of
the first bill providing for the free and I'M
limited coinage OF silver at the ratio OF I6
TO l. Always has it been so. The hands
which today placed their idol on the ped
estal Of popular favor will shatter that
idol on the morrow"
Mr.. Vest went on to speak of Mr.. BANDS
domestic virtues, and said:
His loyalty to wife and children was
cEO In ha n a
fanatic, and Shiny demagogues assailed
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. l am Protestant, and shall live
and die one But my great regret is that
/ am not half such a Christian as the
woman who bears my name and Is the
mother Of my children.
When he left this city he went 10 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 peo-
pie loved and honored him so long His
spirit has passed across the dark river. TO
be greeted on the other side by the five
children who went before him.
The night is gene; and with the morn the angel
fac0s smile
Which lie had loved long since, and lost a while
Statesman, patriot, gentleman, and
dear friend. farewell
The last OF the eulogies closed at 500,
and then, as further mark OF respect.
the Senate adjourned until today.