The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1921-05-19
SENATOR REEDS TRIBUTE
TO SPEAKER CHMAP CLARK

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The eulogy Of Senator "Jim" Reed
Of Missouri, delivered over the body
Of his departed friend, is one that
will long be remembered by those
fortunate enough to hear it. It is
classic Of thought and expression
that will endure. This is Reeds
brief address, from the fullness Of
his heart:
"a wonderful stream is the river
of life. A slender threat emerging
from the mysterious realm of birth,
it laughs and dances through
4 the wonderland Of childhood. It's
broadening currents sweep between
the flower-decked banks Of youth,
romance and hope. A mighty torrent,
it rushes over the rapids Of manhood
and breaks in foam upon the rocks
of opposition and defeat, then glides
away across the barren, sterile fields
Of age until it is engulfed and lost
within the waters Of the eternal sea.
There queenly robes, the beggar's
rags, the rich mans gold. the pau
uer's copper pence. the ieweled dia-
dem of princes, and the thorny crown
of martyrs are washed and swept by
the same ceaseless tides.
"The miracle of birth and the mys-
terry of death remain the unsolved
problems Of all time. The shepherd
who, 5000 years ago upon the plains
Of Syria, observed the procession Of
the planets and contemplated the
DEGREES of fate, was as wise perhaps
as is the wisest of today. He only
that standing here upon this bank
of time, his straining eyes could not
glimpse even the shadowry outline
of fartherer shore. He only could
behold the white sails of reeeding
fleets-ships that sail out, but never
come again. He only knew that at
the graves dread mouth all men
must cast aside alike the burden of
their honors and their griefs; that
man takes with him only that which
he has freely given away; that even
death may not despoil him of the
riches Of service and self sacrifice.
Measured by that standard, he
who sleeps today bears with him to
the tomb of legacy so rare that
ever envy is compelled to pay the
tribute of admiration. His long life
was devoted to the service Of the pub
lie veal Upon his countrv's altar
he placed the wealth Of talent, the
zeal of youth, the energy Of middle
life. the wisdom of old age.
@With tireless brain he wrought
to promote the general good, with
sympathetic spirit he tried to lift the
burden from the shoulders of the
oppressed. His heart cried. out for
all who trod adversity's harsh road.
To guide them wisely, he explored
every avenue Of learning and burned
his candle late into the night that he
night CLEAN the lore Of other coun-
tries and of other times.
"The fires of patriotic love for
home and country consumed his very
soul. He faced each task with the
heroic courage Of those who do not
count the cost. His character rested |
upon a foundation laid deep in hu-
man love. He will live because his
works will live.
HE lives because he helped de-
fend and keep secure the constitu-
tion that preserves our rights. He
lives in the Declaration of indie
pendence, whose principles he protect
ed with d tender and fearless affection
He lives because he has helped lib
erty to live. Men who SO live will
never die. In overwhelming circles
his Influence will be felt. And
deeper ard yet deeper the tender love
the neople Of his state have borne
for him will sink into their hearts.
"As time runs on and the historian
surveys the picture Of these troubled
times there will arise in it no figure
more heroic thar the rugged form
that lies still today.
HE was the best loved Of
Americans.
"How cold are words! Let me for
just one moment speak of this man !
as my friend. For 80 years / have
known him intimately and we'll, have
watched his course through all the
storms Of life. How big, how brave
and rugged was this man, hewn from
the very granite, yet tender as
mothers heart! He met each task
of life as a brave soldier meets his
duty on the battle front. He never
flinched from any task that came
before him, He stood square-fronted
to the world. They say that he is
dead. but anyone who cazes on his
mable brow must know that the man
we knew does not lie here today.
The soul, the thing that made him
hat he was, can not have been de-
stroyed.
The flowers may fade and pass
away;
They only wait through wintery
hours the coming Of May.
II can not speak Of his family.
In all this world / never knew so much
of filial affection, of wifely tender
ness, Of fatherly love. They must
find their consolation in the glorious
memory of this splendid man. Soon
he will sleep in the soil of his he