The Oskaloosa herald., 1913-10-30

the puuttC VI tuC
ion. He was born in West Virginia
n the town of New Martinsville, and
is fathers family belonged to the
dethodist church, of which Rev. j.
f. Dolliver, father of Senator Dolli-
er, was pastor. The family moved
Iowa in 1856. settling at Oskaloosa.
John F. Lacey, like nearly all the
len who have risen to distinction in
owa, made his own way. 6 AS a boy
4 his teens he learned the bricklay- |
rs trade, and his labors at that
ime were interrupted by President
4incoln's call to arms. He enlisted, |
.yas captured with his company and
'aroled AS soon as his parole ex-
fred he enlisted again and this time
erved to the end of the war. He al
yays served to the end of any cause
or which he enlisted. 81.
After the war he went back to
chool, and then studied law. He had
erved in the Iowa legislature and
cached q prominent position at the
owa bar and as the author of a
tandard law book, when he was first
lected to the lower house of congress
rom the Sixth district in 1888, the
anne year that ]. P. Dolliver entered
hat body. He served in the house
ixteen years, and was finally de-
Gated as the result of factiopal di-
ision in the republican party be-
ween standpatters and progressives.
Maj. Lacey's defeat was one of the
lost regrettable results of that diVi-
ion and serves to Illustrate to what
extent reason has been subverted
nd suspicion and prejudice have
uled in the political controversies of
he last few years. .4 g.. Cd
Maj. Lacey gloried in the term
standpatter." He was always very
utspoken in his opinion and so he
ame to be recognized as a leader OF
ne "standpat" wing of the party, and
agarded by the other wing as the
cry head and front of offending. He
yas strong believer in a protective
ariff. He was brought up in the
aith, had preached lit sincerely and
|. consistently all his life, and he did
lot wayer when 1t was attacked. He
lever in his life advocated any pub
ic policy for personal gain and COM
Promised any opinion for self protec-
ion. A cleaner, purer man, more
lpright, faithful and courageous legis-
tJOI, type IuS tiut lopiV
entative of the public, who candidly
tates his own views when seeking an
lection and stands by them in office,
lever sat in legislative body. AS
aid before, Major Lacey was a stall
vart champion of the protective tar
If, and it is no news to our readers
hat in this respect he went beyond
he views of this paper. But it was
lot his opinions upon the tariff alone,
r even principally, which inspired
lis declaration that he was stand
batter from Standpattersville."
What we meant was that he stood
N the record of the republican party.
He was not standing for existing
schedules so much as for the good
'aith of the men who made them. The
'chedules might be criticised, but
hey were made in honor, for the good
If the whole country and the protec-
i've principal was sound; these were
his contentious. He was proud of the
achievements and of the admiistra-
ion of the republican party. He re-
ented the attacks that were being
made upon 1t and upon its leaders.
He had nothing but respect for those
Who differed with him in their opin-
ions, but his soul was charged with
indignation over the wholesale misrep.
Hesentation. He had been on the
ground, he knew the public men of
his generation, and he repudiated the
'dea that a new and superior brand
If virtue was just finding its way into
nblic life. He was "standpatter"
IN the record he had helped to make.
AS a matter of fact, Major Lacey,
broadly speaking, was one of the
most original and progressive legis-
lators in the congress. Few other
members have ever initiated so many
new and meritorious laws. In the
movement for the conservation Of ma
tional resources he was an intelligent
pioneer, the system of forest reserves
being largely the result of his labors.
Most of the national park legislation
was drawn by his pen. The law for
the protection of birds was one of his
favorites. The organized Mine Work
ers of America gave him vote of
thanks for the law protecting miners
in the territories. He was con-
structive legislator and one of the
most attentive and diligent members
of the house. .- ~
1t is unfortunate for the country
that such a man should have been
retired from service In which he was
so eminently useful, and 1t will be
we'll if among the eulogies now being
pronounced there shall appear few
resolutions in favor of a more liberal
and just appreciation Of such men
while they are still among the living. !
Maj. Lacey would have had nothing !
to do with any reorganization of the
republican party which involved and
upon its past leadership. |
The ideal that the republican party OF
time-the leaders who
were his associates in Washington
was rotten" corrupt" and faithless
to the people, would have never re-
ceived any countenance from him.
And it is just as well to say now /
that there are thousands remaining |
who have the same feeling. The
world moves on to new conditions /
and new questions; each generation
has its own tasks and responsibility; |
new light and new wisdom must be
evoked from the develop
ing social consciousness. But not
much light or wisdom will come from
those whose chief capital is criticism
nf tho mast g, And the hest we can