The Washington herald., 1908-03-22
KINDLY TRAITS OF HOSFORD
Newspaper Man Recalls Some of His
characteristics.
Sterling Loyalty to HIS Fellow
workers and Acquaintance Was
with Him a Fetch.

To say that ! was greatly shocked by
seeing an account Of the death Of my old
friend, Frank II. Hosford, would be but
mild expression OF my sorrow.
l had known him for many years: and
10 know him well. to realize the many
beautiful traits Of his character was 10
love him. for Joined in him was an i'm
pressive mentality with the gentleness tof
a woman.
He was loyal friend and friendship
with MIN meant more than a pleasant
word: it meant work for his friend: il
meant the use of every faculty he pos
sessed Tor the benefit OF that friend: he
never neglected 10 remember him. and
the sight OF an influential public man
was but reminder that he might help
MS friend. and he never hestated 10 ask
FOR that aid-for his friend
lie was a man OF high ideals and beau
tiful imagery: alas, one OF so many.
who. while gazing at the stars, sometimes
forget the earth, even its necessary de-
mands: who. having placed an altitude.
which was the ultimate OF their amhi.
tlons, have worn themselves out I'm trvine
ITO accomplish an impoSsibility. OH there
are many Of these struggling dTeamers
in this world. Some Of them wear purple
ana fine linen, many Of them are in rags.
but they all have the same beautiful
dreams Of perfection. of human fraternity
and mutual helpfulneSs.
He was in life the recipient of many
| condolences from men high in position
this confidence and trust was not confined
TO any political party for he was never
known TO betray a confidence. although
many times he could have ACCOMPLISHED
| an extensive scoop
never knew him, in a personal sense,
| 10 condemn any one. on the con-
trary. he was prolific with excuses or ex-
plantations Of human weaknesses
lie was master of invective and sar-
/ casm both in debate and with his pen.
! One day ! said 10 him: Frank. I can
Rot understand one phase in your char
| acter With your command of invective
1 and sarcasm, II a political enemy meets
with a bereavement or loss. il seems 10
disarm you. He answered: no man.
with a particle OF either bravery or de-
cency about him. will ever enter into the
! household of any adversary. When be-
redVemcnt and sorrow comes I either
take or send flowers. never take the
| weapons OF war"
he said so many witty things in his
| life. At meeting OF the Michigan As
/ socistion. a few years ago. 'eX-Speaker
| Henderson was guest Ger. Henderson
knew Frank well, and also knew his Re
| publican. brother. who lived in Iowa and
good-natured badinage began between
| henderson and HOSfOrd. Henderson -zav-
ing, among other things. that he could
not understand how a man with all the
/ qualities calculated TO mako man oraaf
like his friend Frank Hosford. could he q
! Democrat. and asked his friends to name
a single thing the Democratic party could
| be proud of.
Frank replied. pointing to the solid Re-
publican delegation seated al the table
! MIR Speaker. / can answer at once. One
thing the Democratic party in Michi-
gan is very proud Of and that is they
are not responsible for the presence OF
that gang over there at the Capital
/ am among those who do not believe
that the article We call death entirely
disassoeiates the living from the dead
anu write these words. hoping that my
remembrance may reach YOU. Frank
through the thin veil which divides Time
from Eternity. JAMES W. LONG.