Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-11
VESTS EuLOGXs OF, BLAND.
An Eloquent TrIbdte to a Pioneer of
the Silver Cause

Mr.. Vest delivered an eloquent eulogy on
the late Representative Richard p Bland
in the Senate yesteFda} Afternoon Other
senators followed }wiih,tributes to the dead
statesman. Mrs Bland sat in the executive
gallery and listened to the brilliant eulo-
gies. She was accompanied by several rel
atives and friends. sz
Mr.. Vest (Mot said. in part:
For twenty years Mr.. Bland and myself
We're intimate personal and political friends.
There was nothing spectacular nor sensa-
tional about Mr.. Bland. He was not po-
litical graphophone, always speaking, nor
an importunate mendicant for popular APP
p!ause. He was an earnest, honest and
modest man Of strong intellect and pro-
found convictions Of duty.
Mr.. Bland was the father and pioneer of
bimetallism in the United States. and gave
his life to that cause. He had studied the
question in all its phases not only in the
writings of eminent financiers, but in the
canyons and mining camps Of the far west.
where Pixies peak towers with its snow
crowned brow above the smaller mountains
like some hoary- headed monarch of the
feudal ages surrounded by his grim nobil
ity."
Further along Mr.. Vest said: Richard
Parks Bland should have been the nominee
of the democratic party naturally and log
ically at the great national convention of
that he did not desire that nomination. 1
know that he, above all Others knew his
precarious health; that the icy finger of
death might touch him at any moment. He
was defeated, as all of the leaders of
great popular movements who have borne
the heat and burden Of the day and excited
the bitter antagOnism of opponents, have
always been defeated in all ages and coun-
tries, when success was ABOUT to crown
their efforts. Political parties are actuated
not by gratitude, but by hope of success.
1t has always been so and will be so to the
end of time
so in 1895. Richard Parks Bland, the
veteran leader of bimetallism, who had
stood by its banner when Others faltered
and deserted. was put aside for a young
and brilliant orator, who was school boy
when Bland introduced and passed through
the House of Representatives in 1873 the
first bill providing for the free and I'M
limited coinage of silver at the ratio of 10
to l. Always has 1t been So The hands
that place today upon the pedestal Of popu-
lar favor their idol, will shatter that idol
on the morrow, and varied Is the mind of
desultory man, Studious of change and
pleased with novelty" -i 49,.
After paying beautiful tribute to Mr.
BANDS love of his family, Mr.. Vest con-
cluded follows: .Ifis 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 gons,.s
And with the morn
The angel faces smile
Which he had loyed long since.
And lost while
Statesman. patfioE stainless gentleman
and dear friend. farewell
Others who addrssssd.th Senate were Mr.
Jones New. Mr.. Berry (Ark.), Mr. Lind
say Cky), Mr.. Carter ,(Mont), Mr. Daniel
lVa.), Mr.. Teller COR! Mr.. Allison Gowa),
Mr. Jones (ArkD ~andsNfr Stewart (Nev)
The concluding address was delivered by
Mr. Cockrell (Mo),. like Mr. Vest. a long
time personal and political friend of Mr..
Bland Earnest. sincere and eloquent Mr.
Cockrells eulogy Vas q fitting conclusion
OF series of notable, addresses.
The resolutions were adopted. and at 800
the Senate as an additional mark or re-
spect, adjourned.