The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1912-10-05

| udu nature duu Ol uuldIl Cudld CI0r.
| then may we say that Our departed
friend was not only entitled to all the
kind words that have been spoken, but
| all the kind thoughts that have been
thought concerning him. In his labors
in this city he is entitled to be con-
sidered one of the truly great men of
his people and of his race. It is i'm
possible to reflect upon the difficulties
that a little colored boy of 40 years
ago had in securing an education in
the southern part of our country; i'm
possible to reflect upon the ambition
that in later years prompted him to
undertake the study of one of the most
! laborous of professions and yet per-
haps the most honored, without being
convinced that he possessed in a
marked degree those characteristics
| that make for greatness of purpose,
greatness of character and greatness
| of accomplishment. During the long
| years I have known him in his pro-
fessional career, I saw him day after
| day, and week after week, I learned
| to appreciate his character as a man
and as a lawyer. I learned to appre-
ciate the charitable, generous and
made much ostentation about his good
and generous acts. Because of these
facts, accepted with unusual pleasure
the invitation to bear my testimony on
this occasion. I never knew him to
be untrue to a trust that was imposed
in him. l never knew him to betray
Or deny trust that was once given
| Although he never held public Office,
he was distinctively public character
He was always Watchful and Vigilant
in any movement that made for in
| crease in the development and the bet
terment of his race; always ready to
i/come forward with all the strength
of his intellect against any PROPOSE
ton which sought to restrict the
privileges of his race. He recognized
the weaknesses of his race, and some
times he criticised those weaknesses
but always the glance of his eye, the
clasp of his hand, the music of his
voice, his example, still remain with
| u.s. Death is the debt we must pay to
Providence for giving us life, but the
use that we make of that life, the
! duties that we discharge, the manner
in which we perform them, constitutes
| the amendment that can smile at the
drawn dagger of death, because it
lives on and over and outside the
grave. For long years his smile will
be remembered, his enthusiasm and
hberality will be felt, and what higher
tribute can be paid than to say he
fought the fight, he kept the faith?
He has performed a mans task and
mans work. He has shown the
soldiers courage, and when the bugle
sounded the evening knell, he retired
to rest and can we not say with con-
fidence at this hour that the moment
that signalized his departure from the
scenes of activity here below an
nounced his entry into the realm OF
final reward
Mrs Addie Crawford-Minor sang as
only she can lone Sweetly Solemn
Thought
Following Mrs Minor came w. T.
Francis, Esq, who most feelingiy said
among other things of
"McGhee as Citizen"
VIE, the colored citizens of St. Paul.
have met in many notable gatherings.
Gatherings similar to this in point Of
interest. Gatherings having for their
purport the uplift of the race; gather
ings of welcome and of memorial. All
greatly similar to this but with one
exception, a tall commanding figure
the central figure-will not rise here
today. There is one face that will
not shine with earnestness and zeal
and one voice that will not be heard,
for our friend has passed into the
great beyond.
Some months ago many of US gath
cred in banquet hall to do honor
to our departed friend while yet he
lived. An occasion long to be remem-
bered. Old friends were reunited, sin
cere words of praise and appreciation
were spoken. Let us thank 1od for
and continue to have such gatherings.
Let us thank God for reconcilliations
and messengers Of peace.
Some one has said: eff you have
flowers to bestoW, give them to me
while I live" and many Of US can
reflect with pardonable pride upon
that and other occasions when we
scattered the flowers of appreciation
and encouragement upon the pathway
of the busy life of our deceased friend
Friedrich L. McGhee.
Among the beautiful floral tributes
which were sent at tokens Of respect
and esteem upon the death of our
friend was one whose import i'm
pressed me deeply. The beauty of it's
design-a broken column-was en-
HANGED by this glowing tribute,
HE was like the rock OF Gibraltar.
So earnest and devout,
And our pillar of progress seems
broken
When this dear life went out!
Few men have passed away in re-
cent years who will be more sincerely
and deservedly regretted in this city
than Friedrich l.. McGhee, and none
will lament his death with deeper sor-
row than his personal friends and the
rank and file of his race to whom the
greater portion of his life as a citizen
was devoted. Truly can it be said of
him, as a citizen, that he lived a life
of service to his friends, service to-
his race and to the community in
which he lived. He was one of the
strongest and at the same time one
had produced. He had a host Of
OF the most unique characters our race
friends and at times a few enemies,
but no man through whose veins flows
the red blood of hope, ambition and
courage can pass through 81 years
of struggling, hustling and successfully
battling with tho diff cultioc ne u r,,h