Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-04
Alexander R. Shepherd.


contributed in a crucial hour Of her history
to her greatness and her beauty. That
man believed In the nations capital. loved
1t, strove for its best interests. He served
1t faithfully. both as private citizen and as
official and administrator. He saw his duty
clearly and recognized the opportunities
which lay before him as had few IL any
others who had preceded him In responsible
Office. He measured more accurately than
most other men the meaning Of Washing
ton in tho national equation. He deplored
the bad conditions which had accumulated
through decades Of federal neglect and local
inertia and helplessness. He realized that
the man who should attempt the regenera-
ton of the capital would incur enmity
through running counter to selfish interests,
too narrow to appreciate the broader duty
of citizenship. Nevertheless he attacked
the labor. comparable to those given by
the gods of old to Hercules, and he did his
best
Alexander r. Shepherds best was of the
producing. moving. creating kind. 1t was
the product of tireless energy, dauntless
courage. unfiinching purpose and absolute
integrity. He was the man for whom the
city and the hour cried aloud. Seldom has
a filter combination occurred, great work,
great difficulties and great man to strive
greatly In all things.
Mr.. Shepherds success did not appear
which enormous obstacles had been piled.
Failure seemed for time to have been his
portion. His own fortune melted. His
reputation was assailed. His motives were
impugned. But no sign Of defeat was to be
discerned by those who knew the man. He
believed that the future would vindicate
him. His true friends believed in him and
in the verdict of later years. They stood
steadfastly by him and encouraged him In
the dark hours when he seemed to have
been abandoned by fate to the merciless
criticisms and assaults of enemies and time
servers.
Then Mr.. Shepherd went away from the
scene of his toll and his real but Temperate
1y clouded success and sought in other
lands, under forbidding conditions, re-
Mobilization of his personal fortunes 1t
was characteristic Of him that he attacked
nature in her toughest moods, struck for
winnings amid surroundings certain to
daunt a less intrepid SOUL His conquest of
these obstacles in Mexico was complete.
He triumphed there even as he had in real-
ty triumphed In Washington, though there
ne was master Of his own fate and the &C
acknowledgement of his success was not de-
pendent upon the tickle sentiment of the
people. His victory could not be disputed
He returned as a visitor to Washington
to find that the foundations which he
had laid for the development of the capital
were being built upon, and that the awak-
ening of federal interest in the Districts
welfare caused by his monumental labors
had given form to an ideal municipal gov
eminent Then was the verdict Of Wash
ington's best judgment rendered He was
hailed as the city's benefactor. His work
had been understood He was praised sim
cerely, his hand clasped even by those who.
judging him hastily in the past, had erred
In their opinion of his motives and who
were sincerely regretful for their former
course.
Yet Shepherds ambition was not at
tained. He wished to make here the home
or his last years. He planned to retire from
the strenuous activity of his Mexican life
and to rest in the city beautiful in whose
service he had sacrificed SO heavily In the
seventies. The time had almost come for
this final move. when suddenly, without
warning. came the word that he had been
stricken with fatal Illness Then quickly
his death was announced. and Washington
grieved as 1t had sorrowed for few men in
It's history. For here was one living dead
who had sacrificed for its sake and had
suffered that 1t might prosper and rise In
beauty and whom it had been so tardy In
honoring. The infinite pity of 1t all became
source of poignant grief throughout the
District. and the country beyond voiced
with no note of denial the final verdict of
Shepherds greatness of character and of
works.
Today the body of this man comes home
to be inferred with the highest honors the
city can give. 1t is a sad homecoming for
those who live TO pay tribute a reproa CHI
to those who held back for a quarter OF q
century the full fruition OF Shepherds
plans and the complete Acknowledgement of
his unselfishness and his services. Rut II
Is perhaps such homecoming as will CON-
tribute most effectively to the completion
of that great work. For the cortege of to-
day will remain in mems minds to keen
alive the thought that only from such citi-
zenship as that which animated Alexander
X. Shepherd, only from such elements of
character as made him a nobleman among
mon. can come the realization of ideals. the
accomplishment of great ends Today 8
ceremonies will serve to elevate the Dis
trict's conception of manhood and devotion
to duty and fortitude under apparent de-