Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-04-15
HIGH TRIBUTE PAID
LATE w. H. STEAD
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fairness. | trusted him implicitly.
Our joficial relations brought US
Into very close contact and | learned
10 Know him aud his admirable per
iie had many-sidsd thoroughness. !
lie was broadly educated in law. in |
literature, in tho political and social
science; aud he had a large fami
liamlty with history enriched by an
intimate contact with life aud social
movements. Not only was he widely
read. but he was given to reflection
and contemplation. 1t was these
qualifications and qualities which en-.
riched his conversation and had
maturcd his Judgment.
As An Orator.
Gen. Stead VAS an orator of high
type. His elOQuence was like the man.
simple. straightforward. sincere. He
employed none OF the tricks or ne
arts OF the demagogue or the mere
rhetorlcian. knowledge. logic. re,
scurC& Illuminating wit. illustrative
anecdote. literarl finish. conviction
and noble enthusiasm were the
marked characteristics of the man
and his Oratory. 1t was his endeayor
TO inform the mind, TO convince the
reason and to satisfy the judgment.
TIL eman spoke Although Gen. Stead
spoke extemporaneously with great
facility and power. he often head his
speeches. In GU. last campaign when
the state candidates were travelling
by special train aud averaging twenty
two meetings day. ana when he was
limited TO three or four minute talks
Ill many places, he still read his
speeches from the rear platform Of
the train. But his written speeches
were listened to with eager interest
because OF the instant appeal of his
Personality.
As a Lawyer.
Gen Stead was n great lawyer. His
personal ambitious were very largely
identified with his profession. With
him. the law was an Instrument OF jus.
tioe. In himself and in his life were
embodied the besi traditions of the
profession. He had the lawyers pa
tence and assiduity In the inyestlga.
ton Of facts He had the lawyers
learning and skill in perceiving the
legal principles involved, He had the
pOisa and Judgment 10 balance these
and reach just conclusion. To these
he added fine sense of ethics. These
were the solid qualities which a..
iracted the attention Of the bench.
the bar and the public and brought
him to a conspicuous place in public
life.
It would be impossible in a brief
address to speak adequately of his
General Gen. Stead was one of the
great attorney generals of our state.
Under him. that office became a power
Of vital Importance in the work of
every State Department. and it was
called upon to present the cause OF
the state In some of the most import
ant litigation in the states history.
In all OF this work. Gen. Stead and
his associates made a record Of serv-
leo to the state which has not been
surpassed.
A. a Politician.
Gen. Stead was a politician in the
best sense OF the word. He nkew the
art Of moulding public opinion and
marshaling political forces in sup
port Of public policies, Enduring
things OF lasting public benefit appeal
ed to him. He gave no countenancc
to what was merely meritriciously OF
passing political advantage. Although
idealistic by temperament. his train.
ing and experience had given his mind
o practical bent. He, therefore. dis
cinguished between the Utopian and
visionary and the practicable and di-
rected his energies to what was pos.
sible OF accomplishment
Ny relations with Gen. Stead were
not limited to official matters. |
learned to know him as man and We
became fast friends. | knew him so.
cally; his family life his remlnis'
ceuces extending back to his boyhood
DAYS: his strong attachment for per.
sons and places: his love for his pa.
rents, his sister and his brothers; the
struggles of his early career; hi eX-
periences and his ideal sin public af-
fairs. kenw him vel land priced
his friendship highly.
Gen. Stead was not understood by
those who did not become well
acquainted with him. lie was in.
cined to be reticent and retiring
amongst strangers and casual ac.
Quaintances. He was not active IN
seeking friendships. He waited TO
win them through merit. His mind,
too. found companionship within it,
self. He loved books. and music, and
art. and nature. His sensitive soul
found companlonship with the poets.
orators and philosophers OF ancient
times. those dead but sceptered SOY.
origins wo still rule our spirits from
their urns.
Yet his prizes the friendships which