The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-05-22

III neighbOring cities and towns. cover
nor Harmon, Speaker Vining, state
Treasurer Creamer, Adjutant General
! Weybrecht and others represented
the state government A number Of
Senators and Representatives were
present. The Elks, Knights of Pyth-
las and United Commercial Travellers
formed on Main street and marched
to the house and from there acted
as escort to tho grave.
Many flowers were banked about
the coffin a number of wreaths and
beautiful floral designs having been
contributed by societies and friends.
The coffin was open and many peo-
pie took a last look at the face of
the deceased Representative. The ex-
preston of pain had passed away
and that of repose and dreamess
sleep succeeded.
Mrs. w. N. Harder rendered two
musical numbers Lead, Kindly
Light and Crossing the Bar in a
very appropriate manner.
Rev. George M. Rourke then de-
llvered an grafton commemorative Of
the character and public services Of
the deceased statesman and leader
and all who heard him speak were
delighted with his eloquent words
and the charm of his delivery. Not
word was said that did not seem to
he true. The speaker kept well with
In the facts. He emphasized MIR.
Smiths devotion TO an ideal, his in
tensity In his work and his absolute
honesty ana fidelity to duty. He did
not preach and exhort but he went
to the heart of his subject and mag
nified the strong and pure elements
of Billy Smiths life and leadership.
In "a corrupt age, no smell of fire
ever touched his garments. What
ever others may have done. Smith
| came through with clean hands and
an untarnished character. lie was
represented as an honest man who
| has been said TO be the noblest work
Of God.
But while there was a fine eulogy
In the discourse there was no cnwar-
dice. no lowering of spiritual stand
ards, no failure to proclaim elemen-
tai truth. The discourse was general
ly regarded most fitting and appro-
pirate and a gem of oratory.
We publish the following para
graphs from the address:
The Grafton.
job. 1920 "Thou changest his com
tenance and sendest him away"
| on the great field of contest neces-
sity urges some persistent man to
serve in the capacity Of a pioneer
who will outline policy as the theme
| for future action-It is necessary for
| this forerunner to be "A person of
strong will else he will grow weary
in we'll doing. He must be persever-
ing, else discouragements for which
untutored material is responsible will
battle his hopes and darken his sun
rise. He must be unfalterng, else his
retreat will serve as his monument
of defeat, and he must be possessed
with tremendous purpose that will
leap above all objective hinderances.
And younger years seldom cherish
| deserving gratitude to those who
have made comforts possible for man
to enjoy The struggle of life in for
mer years required brave men, men
} who were willing to endure privation
and hardship. The pinch OF want
the bleak blasts of bitter winter, the
encouragement of nelghbors. the un-
travelled hills of lifes difficulties
were surmounted only by a man OF
| purpose, just as mountain peaks are
scaled by eagle wings-And among
the names that history delights To
mention are those who blazed out a
new highway TO progress and were
unflagging In effort 10 answer the
summons Of justlcel What is true in a
national sense If those whose names
have gone TO history's page is none the
less true in a local sense OF this man
who, being active in the shifting
scenes Of states life, entered the
dark valley of death last Wednesday
night.
His Death a Shock.
The occasion which invites us here
this afternoon is common; yet the
announcement of Mr.. Smiths death
was a great shock and surprise. For
several days he patiently watched
the curtains of morning rise with a
fond hope that renewed strength and
vitality would be granted-To some
In life the pathway is short and
strong slnewy bodies are stricken
down like tender grass before a sum
mer Sickle. They are prevented from
shouldering crosses and carrying
burdens and experiencing mental suf-
fering. Others spend long years OF
service, toll and pain, and others
with a keen vision and a deep sense
OF Justice and honesty. that remains
untarnished as the night stars; with
an ambition oVermastering physical
strength; with a strong determine.
tion for success in personal under.
takings; with a pardonable pride fol
acclamations from interested friends
who never question integrity or sin
cerity-to such a one God sent q
busy messenger last Wednesday even
ing and requested our voiceless
friend 20 hurry and set sail on IN,
snip iof death, and scarcely alloy.