, 1902-12-24
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER "A. 1902.
a SENATOR'S TRIBUTE

respondent transmits the beautiful
euiogy pronounced by Senator War.
rem Dec. Il upon the life and charac.
ter of Senator William j.. SewelI OF
New Jersey, as follows:
Mr.. President. if were asked to
name the dominating power in the
Senate OF tn" United States, | would
say it is the irresistible influence
which has come to us as a legacy from
former members who have passed
away.
Whatever this legislative body has
of patriotism. of dignity. of devotion
to duty, of methods for the general
good. is due in great measure to the
ideals established by the illustrious
dead whose names have illumined its
roll OF membership.
And as the list lenSthens and there
is added to it the names of those with
whom we have bccn in personal touch
as friends and colleagues-aye, al
most as broth"rs-we who remain. and
upon whom it devolves to pay a word
OF tribute. are more and more dominat-
ed by the dead.
The great orators. the brilliant de-
baters, the noted statesmen, who have
passed away-the Clays. the Websters,
the Calhouns of the Senate-have not
been the only class of members to
bring the Senate to the degree of re-
spect in which it is held as a dignified.
orderly, conservative, and patriotic
legislative body.
A part, equal perhaps in importance,
has been taken by those who have per-
formed their duty as they have found it
mt whose days with the schoolmas-
ter were brief-self-taught in the rough
school of experience; carrying a com
mission rather than a diploma, but
knowing humanity to its inmost heart,
and quick to the needs of the citizen
ship of the land. Men of this mould
have left a potent impress upon the
country, upon Congress, and upon
those who have succeeded to their
place in this body.
Such a man was William J. Sewell,
United States Senator from New Jer-
sey, from 1881 to 1887 and from 1895
to 1901, our friend and colleague in
whose memory We meet today to pay
what tribute our weak words can be-
stow upon the reCord of his life and
deeds.
General Sewell was not an American
born; his birthplace was in that land
which has given many illustrious
statesmen, citizens and soldiers to this
their adopted country. He was not
equipped with wealth to start his ca
reer, and was forced to fight the battle
Of life without the aid and support of
father and mother, both having died
when he was a mere lad. The hard
fortunes of the sea first engaged him.
and as a boy before the mast he sailed
to the then almost unknown shores of
the Orient. But hard as these first
conditions we're, he M not they OBJ
tanned the mastery, and. starting the
voyage as a boy, he ended as mate.
The story of his life is a record of
success; not success coming by acct
dent, influence of connections or fri
end, but by his own untiring persever-
ance his devotion to duty. his capa-
city, his genius in fact, for hard work.
Ir We rInrfnlyir - Ut, 1;fA bn
commenced at the lowermost round of
the ladder. When he went to the de-
tense Of his adopted country. he Of
fered himself as a private soldier, but
there must have been in the face and
figure of the handsome, stalwart youth
of Is evidence of the qualities of lead
ership, for his companions in his COM
pany elected him their captain. He
was faithful to every trust imposed in
him. He was brave in battle. One
who has chronicled his military life
says:
His charge at Charlottesville was
one OF the best of the most brilliant
feats Of the war and won for him a
medal Of honor. 1t was the morning
of May 8, 1868, the last of the three
days battle. The Second Brigade of
New Jersey had but two hours sleep
during the night. They had formed in
fighting line before daybreak and had
been under continuous fire for over
four hours. Many of their comrades
were dead. More lay wounded and dy.
ing about them. General Mott had
been injured and carried from the
field; General Berry had been killed,
and the command fell upon Colonel
Sewell.
To the south and in front and to the
west and on the right flank were the
Confederate troops. They were
swarming forward in Overwhelming
numbers and had seized a hill from
which the Federals had been driven
and which Sewell realized must be re-
covered. With the instincts Of a born
soldier he rallied his disheartened for
ces, and seeing them hesitate in the
presence of the foe In such overwhelm.