Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-09-02
In MTMoRIzM.


His was a peaceful ending of
strenuous and sturdy life. Through
cut his whole career his resistless en-
ergt knew no slack nor brake. He
was busy with the work OF the world
to the very moment he was called.
The keynote of Edward Rosewater's
career is devotion to public duty. In
his definition. the editor of a great
newspaper is a man who consecrates
himself unreservedly to the champion
ship of the peoples rights. He tried
to live up to the fullest measure of
that duty.
1t was always the great end to be
achieved that he kept constantly In
view. Personal discomfort and f1nan-
cial sacrifice were disregarded when
once his Judgment told him he was
enlisted in a righteous cause. Con-
trary to what many have been led by
his political antagonists to believe, he
rose above personal likes and dislikes
In his one aim to discharge his duty
fearlessly to the public. He would
fight today shoulder to shoulder with
the bitter enemy of yesterday, and no
claim of the friend of today could in
duce Edward Rosewater to shield him
tomorrow from the Just penalty of
faithlessness to public trust.
So also in his own ambitions. they
were ever subordinated to his idea of
the public welfare He had repeatedly
declared that he would want no Off
ciai honor unless conferred on him by
the people themselves, nor would he
consent to take any position within the
gift Of his fellow citizens unless salts
fed that he could render them the
most eficient service.
On his return from Rome only two
months ago Mr.. Rosewater empha-
sized this in speaking to his news
paper family, who had gathered to-
gether to greet him, telling them that
while he appreciated their good will
and cordial expressions, he would not
want any Of them to support him for
senator because of his employment or
unless he conscientiously felt that he
was the proper person. Again, in an
address few days later to the loyal
friends who made up his delegation,
he said:
I'VE have had 80 many fierce con-
tests In years gone by. covering a
third OF century, so much had been
done to misrepresent my views and
"misquote me and misrepresent every
thing that I did or attempted to do,
that It was a great treat for me to
read the almost unanimous COM
"mendation my candidacy received.
80 far as am concerned. have
always wanted TO know how It will
''be when am gone. left my boys
I'm charge of the establishment to see
whether they could conduct the paper
that / had founded as we'll, OF fairly
"as we'll. to the satisfaction of the
public. felt that the labor of a
lifetime should not be lost. also
had wondered what might be said
when I am gone by people who have
"by the state press 1 appreciate more
than would II had the commission
''of senator right here on this table,
because the senatorship will neither
raise me in my stature nor in the
estimation of the people after all. In
fact, II may have the reverse effect,
''for no public man can possibly sat
''isfy everybody any more than can an
editor"
above ell. Edward Rosewater hated
hypocrisy. shams and frauds and
localized honesty and integrity. Every
nber OF his being revolted against
treachery. ingratitude and the betrayal
Of personal OF public trust. Nothing
could tempt him to recede from a line
of duty once mapped out. Neither
the giamor OF ONCE nor the glitter of
gold could swerye him from the right
as he saw It. Riches would have
poured into his lap and the trying
hardships Of his struggling days been
easily averted had he been willing to
listen to the siren song Of the BRIDE
giver. bat none dared approach him a
second time.
His last message to the people OF
hia beloved Nebraska is thoroughly
characteristic. Having seen another
chosen for the place to which he as
plred, he pledged him his support and
appealed to the convention. In CON-
pIeting the ticket, to nominate only
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