Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-22


thoughtfulness of the man who wrote them
but for the further reason tEat their full
Interpretation makes clearly manifest the
motive THAI actuated all he did. the spirit
in which he wrought and the calm e5tima-
ton of the abundant rewards of an approx
ing conscience They spell out the WORD
duty. This was the word of command
which during all his life enlistment he
never failed to hear nor to obey unques-
tioningly. 1t dominated his affections and
impulses and gave imperative direction to
his thought and endeavor.
l have never known man and l do not
believe there ever lived man who &C
cepted the guidance of duty r-ore Loyalty
and more unreservedly than Thomas F.
Bayard. He was strongly attached to the
political party of his choice, but he cared
nothing for partisan manipulation and de-
tested, wherever found, the pursuit OF ig-
noble sordid purposes under the pretense
of soicitude for the public good. The habit
of his mind was such that he could not
narrow his contemplation of political theo-
ries to a mere estimation of their value as
party assets, and his love of humanity was
so broad that he deemed no political doc
trine worthy of party support which bred
favoritism or withheld its advantages from
any condition of American citizenship In
any corner of our land. Under the guidance
of uncontamnated patriotism he reached
the highest plane of political usefulness
and party service. He was out of place in
the counsels of those who play the game of
politics and look upon party organization as
a school where tricks are taught
Party Management.
While in the strife and hurly-burly of
party activity tendency is too often ap-
parent in party management to rely for
success on demagogic sophistries and dex-
trous sleight of hand. the best indication
the past has furnished of our national Sc
curity and perpetuity has been found in
the acknowledgment by political parties
that in stress of weather, if they are to
regain or retain popular confidence and sup
port they must turn to the leadership and
counsels of such men as Thomas f. Bayard
Let us remember, for our encouragement
the high public honors he received at the
hands of his countrymen, and that those
came to him without the least diminution
of his allegiance to duty, with TO lowering
of his high standards Of patriotic citizen
ship, and with no loss to his faith In the
potency of devotion to a clear belief
strengt hened into conviction which the
more it was oppressed and threatened, the
more clear its demand for faithful adhe-
sion"
At this time there are among thought
full men-not in the least given to hysteria
who fear that evil portents are to be
found in our political skies. Whether
their fears are substantial not, mere
hint of national peril should cause every
loyal American to wish devoutly that, as
n guaranty of greater safety, there were IN
the present generation of our political life
bravely devoted to duty as he whose MEM
DRY we are honoring today.
His example, his earthly influence and
his honorable career are ours-bequeatheo
to us by one who loved us and loved all
his countrymen.
Let us not fail at this hour fully to
realize the value of this precious legacy.
The youth of our land should learn from
the record of this useful life that duty TO
God. to country and to clear belief
strengthened into a conviction is the
best recipe for happiness-for an exalta-
ton above the power of material condl-
tons Let them learn, too, that their
privileges OF American citizenship impose
upon them the obligation of sober prepara-
ton for the custody and preservation OF
the finest and best government ever vouch-
safed TO humanity. And let those of ma
ture years who now bear the heat and bur-
den of the day learn that there is an at
mosphere of political activity far purer
and higher and more potent to save than
the mean and constituencies strife OF I'M
principled craftsmanship.
Let US be steadfast in our belief, I'M
moved by camor and interrupted by an In
ordinate desire for success at any cost OF
principles and consistency. Thus shall we
serve our country best, thus shall we
know a joy that mere success can never
know and thus will it be that the life we
here memorabilia shall not have been lived
in vain.
Following the unwilling letters were read
from President Roosevelt. former United
States Senator Davis OF west virginia,
President Angel of Michigan University
and many others who were invited to be
present and were unable to attend.
The exercises were brought to close by
the singing of america
The following letter was received from
the President:
THE WHITE HOUSE,
" WASHINGTON, June H. 1907.
MY Dear Judge Gray:
May ! through you express to the COM
mittee of the Bayard Memorial Association
my sincere regret that l am not able to be
present at the unve.ling of the statue to
Mr. Bayard? l had the good fortune to
know him personally, that my appre-
citation of what his stainless purity and
integrity of character meant in ..ublfc life
is based personal knowledge. wish
II were in my power to be present with
you and add my tribute to the tributes
which will be paid to his memory.
With high regards, believe me,
Sincerely yours,
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
Mr.. George Gray, Wilmington, Del