The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-02-20

ument at Lexington, Va. and the
Washington Monument In this city are
masterpieces, and will be read and
studied as long as eloquence is cher
ished. These two orations. In beauty
Of conception and expression. are equal
to any OF his generation. His address
upon the Battle of Gettysburg In Wv
ldness clearness, anG eloauenee OF de-
scription can not be surpassed. HIS
addresses upon the life and character
of jefferson Davis and to the Congress
of the United States commemorative the
centennial Of the building OF Washing
ton would alone place him In the first
rank as an orator. Though his lips
are now silent, he win eioquently speak
to generations yet to come In the spien-
Id classical orations which WIZ he
preserved as a pare of the best speci-
mons OF the eloquence OF his genera
ton.
Mr. President. these maryland varied
brilliant qualities were combined with
great soundness of Judgment and great
political sugacity. Ere he attained
the age OF forty he became the ac-
| knowledged leader of the Virginia De
mucracy, which position he heid uniTn-
paired and undisputed until his death,
80 wise was his council, SO sagactohs
his judgment that In all these years
OF leadership he never lost but one
political battle, and that was In 1881,
which defeat he quickly repaired, aud
from that time on he led his party 10
continuous victories and triumphs. For
the last 80 years he drew nearly every
platform OF the Democratic Party of
his State. Thus beneath his brilliant,
shining. qualities were embedded great
prudence. Judgment and wisdom. These
qualities enabled him to successfully
encounter great political storms and
upheavals, and be honored with the
rare distinction Of being elected Ave
times to this honorable body practically
without opposition.
MIR. President, the character OF SEN
ator Daniel and the natural aspect OF
his native State always to me seem to
have strange and striking conform
ity. Virginia IL largely composed OF
rich fertile fields; large and broad
plains. decorated with hin and noun
tain scenery of SURPRISING beauty. so
with this great son. he was endowed
with strong. broad. masculine nina
and heart, sparkling with the fascina-
tions of a charming personality ana
glittering with the coruscattons of elo-
quence and genius.
sirs. the greatest OF all English nov
eists in his masterpiece, Vanity FAIR
has truly said.
The world is a looking glass and
casts back to each man the reflection
! of his own face; II he smiles upon the
world II smiles upon him; II he
he hates II, IL hates MIN; II he loves II,
IL loves him.
| How profoundly Is this truth Illus
/ trated in the magnificent career of tHis
distinguished soldier lawyer, states
man. orator, and leader. He faced the
world with genial, tender smile and
1t received him with open. loving arms,
lie loved humanity and he lived ana
died the idol of his people. He trusted
the people, and with Implicit confidence
his people with loving faith. placed
their hands IN his and followed mas
| leadership and guidance, HIS people
shcwered upon him great honors ana
| important trusts.
A Leader TO be Proud OF.
Well might we of virginia feei "A
I pardonable pride and laudable love
and admiration for our FAMOUS soio.er
! boy. our eminent Ia wyer. our iiiustrI-
| Gus statesman. our brilliant orator, our
/ saEacious leader!
| MIR President Carlyle in his splendid
essay on Voltaire as truthful!y said
The life Of every man is As the well
| spring OF stream, whose small begin
nings are, indeed, plain TO all, put
whose ultimate course and destination
as IT winds through the eNpanse OF IN
| finite years only the omnicient can dis
| Germ. VIII il mingle with the neigh
| boring rivuiets as "a tributary. or re-
eeive them as their SOVEREIGN Is IL
! to be naneless BROOK, ana VIII It's
tiny waters among millions OF other
brooks and rilts increase the current
| of some world med river? or is 1t
10 BE- itself a Rhine. Danube. an ANA
zon. whose going forth are to the ut
most lands it's Hoods an everlasting
| boundary line Of the globe, itself the
| hHlwark and highway of the whole
| kingdom and continents
As TO which a mans life shall he,
whether a tiny stream, giving me
current of it's life to othsrs. or mag =
nificent river. receiving the waters OF
smaller rivulets, depends largely upon
! ones talents aud opportunities. but
more thar all else upon ones efforts.
will. and ambition. Senator Daniel,
possessing high qualities of mind and
splendid talents, aspiring and amhi-
I tious chose TO make and did make the
stream of his life as II ran with its pure
I waters TO the great eternal ocean y
large and majestic river. known far and
wide, fsf1{sigilEg BfsiAd fields, rffffciiitg
states. aud carrying on its bosom ricn
t treasure for his country and mankind
| II is by the lives and sacrifices OF such
man that States and nations are made
strong and great.
/ a poet has we'll expressed ~ ---
What builds a nations pillars high,
What makes II great and strong
/ What makes il mighty TO defy
The foes thai -ranpa II, .thsons '. seH
Not gold, but only men can make
4 nation great and strong
/ Men. who for truth and honors sake
Hold still and suffer long.
Brave men. who work while Others
sleep.
,..s Who dare when others sign;
They build a nations pillars deep
And lift IL to the sky.