The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-07-01
PAST LEADERS.

When the remains of John Warwick
Lynchbnrg this afternoon, it can truly
be said that the last of the old Nir-
ginia statesmen has passed beyond
Daniel lived from the old into the new,
and before he retired from the Sen
ate he saw the Government graphing
with problems of which no man
thought when the Senator first enter
ed public life; yet, in spirit, in chiv-
airy and in temp erament. he belonged
TO that noble company of elder states
men who made Virginia what it is.
Daniel entered upon his great career
when these men were passing. John NJ.
Mason was no longer in public life: r.,
NJ. I. Hunter had paid for his fidelity to
Henry A. Wise had Joined the Republi-
cans; John NJ. Baldwin, Robert Y. Con-
rad, Robert G. Scott, George w. Ran
dolph, James A. Seldom and the rest
had either felt the burden of increas-
ing YEARS or else had died.
Yet it was from these men and from a
study of their deeds. that Senator Dam
iel received his inspiration. He was
the Thirteenth Apostle, SO to say, of
the Old Order and he carried its charm
with him to the end.
a Republic, we are told, is always
ungrateful, and a people ruled by
themselves are always forgetful. We
have ceased to rejoice in the greatness
of these leaders who stood by Virginia
in her bloody trial, and 1t is only
when the last OF them passes that we
remember their greatness, think or
their brave deeds and recall those
qualities of craftsmanship which gave
therl their claim upon the people.
The past leaders of Virginia, OF
whom Daniel was one, were first Of all
men of the highest ability. The CLAM
our about the Old Dominion had begun
10 fade, even in their day, and states
had arisen to dispute the supremacy of
Virginia in the councils of the Ma
ton; yet these men lacked none of
that political foresight and ability
which carried their fathers to high Of
flee and seated seven Virginians in
the White House. If anyone doubt
he ability of Virginla's wartime lead
FRS. let one read their speeches-read
what Hunter said of finance, what Ma
Son said on the rights of the States
what half a score others wrote in the
most trying hours of the Republic
There is wisdom and genius and prob
ity and statecraft in every word.
Then, too, the past leaders OF Vir-
GINA We're men above political office
They led because they were forced to
lead, and not because they found in
office-hoiding a salve for personal
vanity or sop for self-adulation
They fought bitterly in the party CAM
paigns, but they were true to the
spirit of the old parties and fought
for principles. not men . There was
never any douhs. as TO- their opinions,
for they never. hesitated TO speak their
mind. and We're never silent when.
questioned by their constituents. They
held the platforms on which they stood
above the Offices they sought, and thew
Were true TO the one If they lost the
other.
Yet the past leaders were perhaps
more distinguished for their probity
than for their ability, their exalted
idea Of Office, or that chivalry which is
most frequently associated with them
They knew nothing of constructive
mileage" and when Sam Houston in
sisted on drawing it he was held up
to the contempt of the nation.
They had few luSuries in Congress,
they never padded the legislative ap-
preparation bill, and they died before
The word graft" was invented. When
one of their number stopped to
base or dishonest or doubtful trans
action. he was buried beneath the indig
nant protest of his people-instead OF
being sent to the Senate.
All of them have gone. Goode and
Daniel We're the last: both have
passed. The Government moves on;
The people go about their business;
Congressman viii debate and Senator's
will confer; the harlequins sit to-day
where the great men sat yesterday.
America is the poorer for their pass
ing and the Nation is the loser.
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CARDINAL GIBBONS.
James, Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop