The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-10-18
lowa's Bereavement.

vel uSdtu COueS SO unexpectedly
upon the state that even with the
premonitory warnings that had been
given there is no preparation in the
public mind. He was so strong and
big and hearty in look and bearing
that it seemed impossible Two days
ago, on the porch of his beautiful
home in the brilliant October sun
shine, the golden foliage of the ma
pies scattered in rich profusion on
the ground, everything suggestive of
peace and health, he talked as jo-
vially as he always had, with mock
gravity complained of the doctors
that they wanted him to lie in bed
without cause, reviewed some of the
phases of the political situation,
spoke of Roosevelt and his future,
pledged himself to continued strug-
gle for the common right, and waved
his arm in farewell. apparently Sc
rene in the prospect of speedy restor-
alton to health. In two days he is
gone, at fifty-two-thirty years before
his time-the most brilliant orator
Iowa has produced, just as he was en-
tering upon his larger usefulness,
dedicated to fight for the common
man. from whose ranks he sprang,
with whom he found his friendliest
association, whose motives he under
stood and with whose aspirations he
sympathized.
There will be many to recall his
spectacular entrance upon public life,
the growing recognition that came to
him and through him to the state
that honored him. There was but lit
tie that was preliminary. His first
speech placed him in the front rank.
1t may be doubted # it has ever been
equalled since in the annals of state
conventions. Defeated at the first con-
gressional convention in which his
name was presented, mere boy in APP
pearance, he captivated the delegates
who had voted against him, and two
years later he was sent to Washing
ton to begin a service that was many
times unanimously endorsed and that
was broken only when the death OF
Senator Gear opened the door to the
promotion that he coveted. But to
those who knew him best, his career
will not be uppermost at this mo
ment-
When he was defeated in that first
convention for the congressional
nomination Governor Carpenter shed
tears. In those tears it is possible te
read something of the feeling every
body had for him who knew him per
sonally. There was warmth of feel
ing about him that was almost for
eign TO cur northern cline, a genial
ty of good fellowship, a cordially Of
greeting not an acquired diplomacy
but an honest inheritance from gooe
Old Father Dolliver that was rea
and genuine and that beamed in his
countenance and took the keen edge
from his sometimes caustic wit. The
home atmosphere in those old days
when Father Deliver sat at the heao
of the table and with kindly admoni
ton ruled the family, will never be
lost on those who once entered into
it. He was kindly man, and it was
this kindness of spirit that domi
mated his political service ane
brought him, when the time came, te
the side of the plain people. Many
motives will be ascribed for This OF
that act of his public life, but under
lying all motives was this one pre-
dominating trait of his character, his
kindly sympathy for those who tot
and struggle and aspire.
With all his genial good fellowship
he was a prodigious worker in what
he was interested in. The Congress
sional Record for the past two ses
sions contains speech after speech
any one of which would have made
the regulations of any man in public
life, covering an amazing variety O
topics, finished and polished speech
es; and with these speeches a run
ming cross-fire of debate on the mos
intricate problems of the tariff ane
banking system, showing mastery
of detail and a readiness of informa
ton that were the despair of his op
ponents. 1t is probably wholly within
the record to assert that there has
never been a session of congress il
which one man has spoken so often
so eloquently and with such readi
ness and fullness of information
These things are not done without la
Dor, great and persistent study anc
application.
His death will emphasize his last
message. Nearly thirty years in con
gress had convinced him that If oul
American democracy is to be endur
ing there must be a determined stand
for the rights of the masses. 1t was
not a suddenly arrived at conclusion
he announced in those last speeches
He had been coming to 1t for many
years. To his intimate friends he had
made no secret of his purpose when
the time was opportune to speak his
message. Fortunately, he had it spok
en- before the end came.
DoIliver as an orator.
Register and Leader: No higher