The Washington herald., 1906-11-23

Philadelphia, Nov 22-After being held
up over night by the dense fog overhang-
ing the Delaware, the gunboat Dubuque,
bearing the body Of James Wilson, a
signer OF the Declaration Of Independence.
docked to-day.
Gov. Pennypackers and other members
OF the escort OF honor met the gunboat
al the wharf. and the pail was trans
ported to Independence Hall, where the
coffin was on view in the room where the
Declaration was signed.
On the casket lay an evergreen wreath
Of remarkable beauty, the gift of Presi-
dent Roosevelt Around this wreath.
which was so nearly perfect that it might
have been nodded in wax, was tied a
white ribbon, 10 whion was attached the
Presidents card.
Moody Speaks in EuIOgy.
AT the re-interment exercises held this
afternoon in Christ Church, Attorney
General Moody spoke in part as follows:
We are Joining to-day in an act Of long
delayed justice.
The occasion is full Of interest for
every lover of ordered liberty. for every
believer in strong and efficient govern
ment capable OF furnishing protection 10
the rights Of the citizens intrusted to its
care. OF compelling obedience to its law
ful decrees, and of fulfilling its obliga-
tons 70 the other nations of the earth
OF interest, because we are commemorate
ING the life Of man who as much as any
other, had made IL possible for US TO live
IN security under such a government
Many years ago, when / read for the
hfst time Madison's report Of the debates
IN the convention which framed our Con-
stitutiOn, / made my first real acquaint-
ancc with James Wilson. I learned that
this man, whose name rested but family
IN my memory, had exercised an influence
II the convention which equaIed if il did
not suTpass, that Of any other man.
Deserves Greater Fame.
1t is one of the mysteries of history
which have not been able to solve why
his fame has not kept pace with his ser
vice. As a member of the congress under
the confederation he struggled as best
he could with the weak and inefficient
government set up by that instrument.
when ne came TO the convention for the
formation OF the Constitution, he brought
with him views which were enriched nv
extensive learning and clarified by abund-
ant experience. He sought a government
with sufficient power to perform the
duties OF nation. and. in devising il
was controlled by few great PRINCIPLES
clearly understood and tenaciousIv pur
sued by him.
Recognizing that the ultimate SOW
eTeignty rested with the people of the
United States, he desired government
whose powers should proceed directly
rom them and operate directly upon
them, government which in truth 1
ollouia De or the people, by the people. /
and for the people
No Fear Of Strong Government.
He had no fears of a strong national
government. II 1t We're government Of
the people. He was not troubled with
the apprehensions which haunted the men
OF his time, as they have haunted the
minds OF some men from that dav to 4
this, that liberty and property would b.
insecure under a strong government con-
trOlled by the people. I know Of no words
more worthy OF consideration in our own
time than those spoken by him in the
PENNSYLVANIA convention. called 10 ratify
the Constitution, where he said:
There is a remedy. therefore. for
every distemper Of government, if the
people are not wanting 20 themselves. For
a people wanting to themselves there is
no remedy II
When the work was done he had mas
tered its great outlines and was ready to
sxpound and defend them. With the keen
vision of a seer, he discerned that the
structure Of the government was destined
for the ages, for vast territories and un- ]
counted millions.
In bringing his body within the Com
IN which he lived and worked.
you have done well TO seek by these me
mortal services 10 impart the lessons :
which taught to the nation 70 whose G
he so potently contributed"