Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1902-03-26
The Death of John P. Aitgeld.
Un tie commoner March II }

fIn the CommoGer March II
The death of Hon. John P. Altgeld
removes from political life one of the
most distinguished and influential of
Americas private citizens AS he
was concluding an eloquent plea for
the Beers, in speech delivered at
Joliet, ILL.,, Tuesday night, March II,
he w as overcome by a stroke of paral-
ysis and died early next morning.
The sorrow manifested at his demise
was deep and widespread. His body
lay in state IN the hail of the public
library at Chicago and during Satur-
day and during the forenoon of Sunday
many thousands passed by the flower
covered caSket that contained his re-
mains. Brief funeral services were
conducted at his residence by Rev.
Frank Crane, followed by an address
Of his law partner, Mr.. Clarence Oar
row. At II O'Clock Sunday the body
was conveyed to Graceland cemetery,
attended by Gov. Yates. the city and
county officials, the Cook county
democratic club, number of labor
organizations and a large escort of
honorary pall-bearers.
A German society of some two hun
dred and fifty furnished appropriate
music and ex-senator Charles A.
Towne and Mr.. Bryan spoke briefly
at the grave. The following is the
substance of the latter's remarks.
The occasion which brings Us here
calls forth both sorrow and gratitude
sorrow that such life has been taken
from us and gratitude that such u
man has lived among us. In this ma
terial age when so many are seeking
to absorb as much Of good as they Can
it is Inspiring to find one who was
ambitious to scatter as much of good
as possible among his fellow men. He
will be remembered not for what
others did for him, but for what he
did for others. He verified in his life
the truth Of the saying that it is
more blessed TO give than to receive.
Not his accommodations, but his diStri-
buttons made him great. What little
of property he left will descend to
those who were related to him, but
what he left of greatest value will not
go to those of his blood or even to
those who were intimately associated
with him, but rather To ali the world,
and the world is better iOr me lie Of
one whose love was bOundiess anu
whose heart was large enough To take
in every human being. l was lifting
| that he should die as he had lived
pleading the cause OF the oppressed.
| 1t is written that the things niciI
are seen are temporal, but Uilat tile
things which are unseen are eternal.
This is our consolation today. This
occasion-sad as it is-wouId be inin-
| itely more sad if We were consigniDg
to the earth all that there was of our
departed friend, but the greater part
of him whom we know as Aitgeld sur
wives the grave. AS the bird esca py
ing from its cage enters larger world
so the influence Of the deceased is
broadened rather than narrowed by
his spirits flight from its earthly
tenement. The seemingly endless
procession of friends who passed be-
side his bier and looked upon the face
they had learned to love showed how
many were touched by contact of his
life, and each one whom he influenced
will bear that influence onward SO
that the circle OF his usefulness will
even WIDEN. He has proved how
great are the possibilities under our
institutions. Born in another land he
has demonstrated what one can do
unaided if be has high ideals and a
lofty purpose. Hiswas not the Prov.