, 1902-12-24

ing numbers that it seemed madness
to charge he galloped to the front in
advance of the brigade until he stood
in distinct veiw of all and the eXclaim
ed: AT least J~erseymen. follow me"
His example was Irresistible. With a
rush and a cheer the whole line went
forward. Up and over the hill they
drove the enemy and on the crest of
the earthworks planted the regimental
Colors.
He entered the service a captain and
lett it a majOr-general.
After the smoke of battle cleared
away. General Sewell put off the uni
form of a soldier and commenced civil
life in a humble capacity in his chosen
profession Of a railroad man. He
started as ~yardmaster and agent and
became president. The qualities of
leadership, mastery of details. and un-
RENTING work. carried him onward
from the lowest to the highest place.
We know his life after he became "A
member of this body. Seemingly
austCTc at times. perhaps. in manner.
yet he was the embodiment of kindli-
ness and true courtesy. | had the
honor to serve with General Sewell for
over six years as feIIow-member of the
Committccon Military Affairs and some
two years on the Committee on Appro-
value his worth as a man. as a lcgisla,
tor. as a friend.
My association with him bring to
mind
That best portion of a good mans life.
His little. nameless, aforementioned acts
OF Kindness and of love.
He let no day close without good
deeds for his friends. for his col
leagues, for his constituents and it was
with profound sorrow that the fatal
tidings came that his work was done.
| recall the active interest taken by
General Scwell in legislation for in
Croasing the efficiency of the National
Guard. He was an example of what
can be accomplished in wal by the cit
i~2en-soldicr. and it was his constant
desire to upbuild and improve the Ma
tional Guard service of the country in
order that it might become a bulwark
of defense to our institutions.
1t was said by a former member of
this body that "a reformer and his re-
form rarely succeed at the same time
Today, as we pay our need of praise
to our departed colleague, the reform
for which he strove so long and well
is about to become engrafted in the
law of the land. While he did not live
to see his wishes consummated, we
know that his ideas have taken form
and shape. and that to his work and
energies we owe light and wisdom
with which to act in the consideration
of the measure which carries into eff
feet his ideas.
While striving to benefit the IA
tional guard of the country, in which
he took so great an interest, he eve
lost sight of the old soldiers with
whom he served, and the duties he
performed as a member. vice-presi-
dent. and president of the board of
managers of the National Home for
| Disabled Volunteer Soldiers served to
ameliorate the hardships of many of
his old comrades.
And so ran the story of his life. AS
a boy meeting ~cheerfully the obstacles
which poverty placed in his path; as
n youth taking up the hardships of the
camp and field. Drawing the perils of
the t~iercest battles of the civil war,
and winning for himself imperishable
fame in the annals of that great o II
flict: as a business man, gaining the
respect and confidence of a great
state: as a legislator, r to his con-
stituents, his friends, and his country;
and in all. in youth and manhood. in
war and peace, in his private and pub
lie life, living close to the highest
ideals of human life.
Thus he won success; nay. he did
more. he deserved success.