Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-12-10

well. +. b. Haskell, Augustus b. Samp-
son. Lewis B. GOodall, w. X. Dana,
Lyman NJ. Cousins and Congressman
Allen. Littlefield and Burleigh.
The organ then ceasedg and3safter a
brief pause Rev. John Carroll Perkins,.
the pastor of the church. arose and read
for some minutes appropriate seections
from the Bible. following II. with feel
ing prayer. Again the organ breatheS
softly. but the response WIS short. Mr..
Perkins then delivered his eulogy, speak
ing as follows:
In representative government which
We believe is the ideal expression of in
telligent men, this friend of ouis was
perfectly equipped, by natural ability. by
moral power. by rational ambition, to
bear whatever task or duty his fellow
citizens required of him. When the Pres
ident of our nation visited our city. last
August. he began his address to our peo-
pie in this way: i wish to say word to
YOU in recognition of a great service rem
dered. not only to all our country, but
the entire principle Of democratic gov.
your citizens He referred to the achieve
ment of efficient activity by legislative
body under representative government,
Reed.
Fifty years ago. Macauley wrote:
Parliamentary government Is govern
ment by speaking In such government
the power of speaking is the most highly
priced of all the qualities which poll
tician may possess: and that power ma !
exist in the highest degree, without judg-
ment. without fOrtitude, without skill in
reading the characters of men or the
signs of the times, without any knowl-
edge of the principles of legislation or
political economy. and without any skill
in diplomacy or in the administration of
war He said this to explain the wOn-
derful career of William Pitt: and in
mood of criticism upon representative
government.
such characteristic must remain
absolutely false among a people like ours
just as long as we are content, which
contentment is now our glory. in en-
trusting the direction of our local or ma
tional affairs to men like him, whose hon
orable memory summons us here, today.
The power of speaking he possessed, with
all the convincing quality of Pitt, but nc
sneak at all unless he might add, as he
did add to speaking the keenest judgment
the most unselfish fortitude, startling
skill in reading men and the signs of the
times. the comparative knowledge of the
principles of legislation and political
economy. He was not always diplomatic
If diplomatic means politics. And he hat
ed war. Do we not remember how he
said in the presence of many of us here:
Justice and equality and the rights of
| man have an ever increasing sway, and
Inc power OI Tie HlSHty III diHIS Is every
| day more and more mitigated by that
| Justice and love which satisfies the long
| ing of the human heart better than ever
riches or superiority or power. Whatever
contribution any man makes to humanity
and justice will not be lost. but will be
gathered up and be among the treasures
of the almighty.
And on another occasion-for fain
| would see his character writ out in words
! of his own, which would make far finer
eulogism than anything We might think
or speak.he said to his constituents
down at his feet, and resigned 1t back
to their suffrage again, Words alone are
| quite inadequate, and / must appeal 10
your memories. During % years of po-
iitical life. not always peaceful. you have
never questioned a single public act of
mine. Other men have had to look afte:
their districts. Ny district has looked
after me. This, on the place where l was
born where you know my shortcomings
as well as l do myself, gives me right
| to be proud of my relations to. you. No
from from home. f's Once as a rib
bon to stick in your coat is worth no.
body's consideration. Office as an Oppor-
tunity is worth all considerations. That
opportunity you have given me untram-
melted in the fullest and amplest meas
ure. and / return you sincerest thanks.
If / have deserved any praise it belongs
| of right to you. Whatever may happen,
| am sure that the first Maine district
will always be true to the principles OF
| liberty, self-government and the rights of
men,.
but exemplifies in his life these qualities
of citizenship is among the fairest works
of creation. 1t is privilege to declare
in this presence that this man Is the fin
| est type of leader in a representative
| government.
I'm the ancient Book of Samuel, when
Saul was thought of as king We read 4
| him, And there was not among the chill
! dren of Israel a gOodlier person than he
| from his shoulders and upward. he was
1 higher than any of the people. Here is
the description, physically, intellectually
| and morally, of the man whose career
| fills our Imagination now
| 1T was the purpose of them who found
ed our government to make the paths
quick and easy achievements of native
| genius They cut away by intention all
| adventurous supports. Special privileges
were abolished. Special claims of family
| and tradition were leveled to the unver..
| sal arena. They meant to leave the way
4 open for manhood and manhood alone in
every department of the democracy. 1t
was startling purpose. 1t was destined
| to many failure. How often we shake
the head in doubtful hesitation and are
| tempted to turn back to the fieshpots of
most any expedient except the simple,
| genuine, absolute trust i'm the native vir-
But sometimes out of the darkness of
| experience or of apprehension. there
shines the steady light of some great
| character. some great personality that
justifies the proudest. widest hope of
them who gave us such a nation as we
have. Somehow in the mystery of Provi-
dence the ideal of freedom often fails to
make men free: the dream of liberty falls
on needless ears, having eyes that see
not, having ears they hear not: the vision
| of equality is too often dulled by medioc-
| rity ideals descend from their places and
there lacks the power to lift and lure the
feet of inferiority into the heights of
progress.
"But again, under the still strange mys-
terry of Providence there rises the star OF
| our ambition. and we wonder how the bit
ing doubt had ever pierced the surface Of
| our democratic faith. For the winter OF
our discomfort becomes glorious summer
| by native ability, under the cherished
ideals OF liberty. self-government and the