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

Tor many years
although insidiously deprived of the
fruits of his victory. Bland did not
lose heart. Having abiding faith in
the people. he led Il crusade against
the Saracen. He opened anew the fight
Tor bimetallism. 1t was n persistent
and glorious fight-one not yet ended.
All admire the gallant struggle made
today for the freedom of the Trans
vaal. Bland stood rs firmly for free
coinage He defended every kopjc,
traversed every veldt and fought with
tenacity that astOnished the world.
His attacks upon the opposition were
so well delivered, strenuous and sus-
tained that at times he drove his ad-
versaries to insincere and humiliating
devices. At times victory seemed to
be almost within his grasp, ut times
as hopeless as the search for the phi
losopher's stone. In every vicissitude
he was beset by dcsertions, in every
crisis loaded with obloQuy. His prowess
breasted every difficulty
Like 10 the Pontic sea,
Whose icy current and compusive course
Ne'er feels retiring ebb, but keeps due on
10 the Propontic and the Hellespont.
Leader of the People.
think for moment, Mr.. Speaker,
OF the bright satellites that set out with
him on what seemed like holiday ey-
cursion. How many fell by the wayl
How many turned against him. Look
over this house, take glance ut the
senate-aye, cast your eyes even upon
the presidential chair-and then COM
pute, If you can, the strength of the
mighty tide that turned against him.
AND yet. undaunted. answering, un-
complaining, he held his course with
undertaking fidelity.
He was as constant and abiding as
the northern star amid shower Of
swerving meteOrs. Defying mutiny,
like the great navigator who gave man.
kind a new world, his hope ne'er dim
med, his purpose never changed. How
ever wild the tempest, however strong
the believing flood of passion, he pur-
sued an unvarying 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.
MIR. Speaker, this hall is still ring
Ing with his manly words. They were
the coinage Of his convictions. His sin.
cerity 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-
tlced law and fought Indians on the
border and. like Cincnnatus Of old,
had followed the plOw. 1t was a grand
training for the role which he was to
ill. Born In Kentucky. every fiber Of
his body. every filament Of his brain,
every scintillatiOn of his Intellect was
American.
There was halo about him ut all
times that forbade either the charge or
thought Of selfishness. His life was a
chapter OF consistent and faultless log
&c. Oratory cannot adOrn It; detractiOn
cannot deface it.
"Sir, memory is 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 bis place, treading these aisles, STOP
ping to meet an inquiry, turning firmly
to an attack. leading an onset, never
beating a retreat.
Richard z. Bland was u 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 a
worthy colleague of Jefferson, Madison
and Monroe. He was a builder, not a
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 it's cast Of
thOughtfulness. His friendship was
sterling silver; his affection pure gold.
Sir. ! rejoice in my atiiliatiOn with such
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 find
Richard p. Bland among the immor-
tails. Future historians will linger DER
his name and gladly preserve his
fame"
Webster Davis Resigpation.
The EOer agitation in this country is
growing hot. In my judgment it is be.
coming so hot that the administration
will be compelled to show it's hand
and ShCw II willy nilIv for tho RoorS