The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-08-04
N. 3. cHEAIRs.

NAAAS O1AS IA dAiAeI AC(DANO0 tho AnLOE uld
tion this morning of the death Of Nh
N. B. Cheairs
In political circles Mr.. Chea:rs wa
perhaps the strongest personality II
MauIy county. He had, we think
the strongest political following OF, an
man in the county. There were NOR,
men who relied upon his Judgmen
and were willing to follow his lead
than that of any other. man. And !
goes without saying, that there is al
element of strength of character in 4
man who can do that. The reason he
was leader of men, was because ht
was broad minded, big hearted and
brave. Once his word was pledged 10
man or cause, no Argument OF
temptation could sha6e him. he was
loyal in his friendships, strong in ms
convictions, aggressive in his methods,
painstsking in his details and untIring
in his work. He was a man of splen-
did executive ability and a genus
almost in Judging men; and in his
political movements he played for
results. In all the great political
battles he has fought for himself and
others. sentiment played little part;
with the cold. almost cruel precision
tho surgeon, he world trust the
kosn blade of his scrutiny or criticism;
but 1t was not done to wound, for he
was a kind-hearted man and a gene--
Ous foe.
In his earlier lite there was rather
too much of the aristocTat in his blood
and disposition; but in tue later years
he had melIowec much toward MS
fellow man. Living the public life |
ha did, constantly In the white light |
of public criticism. always in the un-
pleasant position of opposing some
man 3 ambition, beset with entang
ling difficulties and antagonisms that
would nave embittered most men. ne
grow softer ann kindlier In his feelings
Is the years went by, and there was
little If any of malice or hate that
raDkied in his heart. He had learned
rom the school of experience the hard
esson of life. to take as well as 10
give, aud to be tolerant Of the opinions
4 others And that man who is big and
strong enough to be tolerant of the
opinions of others. commands the re-
poet of others for his own opinions; {
md that man who stands bravely in {
no front and faces the fire OF the
'nomy while the battle Is on. and re-
uFns it with all the force of stroag ,
mind and brave heart; and then when G
the smoke of battle has died away,
N hether victor or vanquIshed, will
meet his opponent with friendly
mile and cordial hand snake, that =
nan is an adversary to be feared bat $
lot to ba desplsed. 7
Ben Chealrs was man like that
4 man whose methods we ala not APP o
yrove; whose habits we did not adj
nire; but man whose generous ma
ure. whose brilliant mind, whose !
0rce of character. whose Willingness
% forgive and forget. and make up :
toned fol much. and whose outward v
ifs helied the better part of his ma c
ure. and subjected MIN to criticisms
hat were not always just and some
lines unkind. t
In the years that are past Nh c
Jheairs ana the Herald have fought v
many political battle in this county;
ouetimes together, more often On
pposiug sides we have at times on. r
owed tile wisdom of his counsel; at :
Their ii mes we have feared the force
I his lea iership; we have criticised
nm and his methods, and IN return
ave felt the sting of his poinre1 pen,
or there were few men who codld
rrite keener retoIt or stronger argg-
nent than Ben Cheairs. But with all
ur differences there was never any
there was always the
INCEST Of feelings in our heart for
am, and he has shown himself more
IN once, and that sometimes in the
act Of tha fight to be our friend