hours by a like faith with his, were now breathing the celestial air and drinking the waters of that stream which makes glad the dwelling-place of the redeemed. In closing this feeble and imperfect portraiture I will only add, that while the fame and virtues of Mr. Rollins will be dear to all that knew him, by none will they be more prized than by the people of his native county, for in the wealth of great names which enriches Madison there is not one of higher rank than his. "Quicquid ex eo amavimus, quicquid mirati sumus, manet et mansurum est, in animis hominum in eternitate rerum." B.* From the "American Tribune." Although he was a native of Kentucky, the social, domestic, and political life of Hon. James S. Rollins was passed in Missouri; at least that larger and more brilliant portion of it which commanded the admiration and attention of the country, and the affection and regard of his fellow-citizens. In one sense his public career was not so broadly national as that of Thomas H. Benton, while it was hardly less valuable to the highest and best interests of the country; but as a typical and representative Missourian he was the most progressive and the ablest of the men who have added the lustre of greatness, dignity, and character to the history of the State. His modesty and unselfishness contrasted so grandly with his eminent intellectual powers, and his aspirations to serve the public faithfully and upbuild the educational, commercial, and industrial greatness * That is, Curtis F. Burnam, a typical example of whatever was most attractive in the character of the Southern lawyer and gentleman - brave, modest, scholarly, patriotic, hospitable, and incorruptible. His State has had few citizens that would have honored her more in the highest offices at her disposal, but neither political distinction nor judicial ermine has yet had any charm to woo him away from his cultured leisure, from the eloquent converse of Plato, of Horace, and of Shakspere, and of the other loftier spirits of ancient no less than of modern literature. Once, indeed, the urgence of personal friendship induced him to accept high official position in the Department of the Treasury under the celebrated reform administration of Bristow, and more recently the almost unanimous suffrage of his fellow-citizens, without respect of party, has called him against his will to take part in the deliberations of the Constitutional Convention of Kentucky. For more than a generation Mr. Burnam was in constant correspondence with Major Rollins, and among the many jewels of friendship with which great good hap and high desert crowned the life of the latter, this of his kinsman was one of the purest and brightest. of the State, that the likeness of his useful and splendid career is exceptionally prominent in the public mind and adorns the pages of our history. Few public men have been so thoroughly unconscious of the greatness and magnitude of their services and intellectual strength as James S. Rollins. He became conspicuous and powerful in the performance of what he regarded as a simple duty, without a thought of personal emolument or distinction, and this one feature of his fearless and pure character has rendered his name illustrious, without consideration of his great public services. But when these are made the subject for discussion and consideration, his life-work mounts up to the highest eminence of greatness and honor. To him official position was only the avenue through which he could advance the general welfare, and not the chief object of ambition. It was his acts, and not the position, that conferred the greatest honor, and therefore his services will outlive the honorable titles attaching to his name. The recent death of this distinguished citizen is a fitting and appropriate occasion to repeat the interesting history of his life. It is filled with so much that is generous and great that the youth of our land can find in it many examples and lessons of benefit in guiding their future conduct. We are all but children in the investigation of great questions of political and social economy, and we need teachers to direct us in the paths of honor, usefulness, and virtue. No others are so happily attractive and interesting as the lives of noble men, and therefore the biographer assumes great responsibilities in presenting the incidents of a career so that it may educate and enlarge the ambitions that stimulate and energize the exertions of the coming generations of men. TWO VOICES. II. WASHINGTON, D. C., January 9. Captain JAMES H. ROLLINS, Columbia, Mo.: Your father's name was so kindly known and his services so gratefully remembered that the news of his death must carry grief to thousands. As a member of Congress his record is one of mingled patriotism and ability; as a member of the State Legislature he must be remembered as the most able and devoted among the founders of Missouri's educational institutions. I long knew Major Rollins as a citizen, and found him at all times patriotic; I knew him as a political opponent, and found him brave and magnanimous; I knew him as a friend, and found him always faithful and true. Please be assured that your mother and family have my profound sympathy in their bereavement. J. B. HENDERSON. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, WASHINGTON, D. C., January 9, 1888. I was unexpectedly shocked to-day to learn of the decease of your beloved father, Honorable James S. Rollins. I knew that he had been suffering a long time, and his death, perhaps, was a comfort in the larger sense. Never have I met in public life a gentleman of more urbanity or kindly sympathy, more ennobling qualities, more sterling virtue, and in every way worthy of the position which he held as a representative of the people of Missouri in most critical times. I was especially drawn to him by the amenities of his life in reference to literary and scientific pursuits and the love which he bore the University with which he was so long associated. Yours with respect, S. S. Cox. Mr. JAMES H. ROLLINS, Columbia, Mo. WASHINGTON, D. C., January 9, 1888. Your telegram of to-day, announcing the death of your honored father, has this moment been received. Full of years and honors, and after a long life replete with good and patriotic deeds, he has gone to his rest. A man of national reputation, of broad and exalted ideas, a very Bayard without fear and without reproach, a finished gentleman of the old school-what more can be said of a man whose character is without stain and whose life is an example? Sincerely and truly yours, Captain J. H. ROLLINS, Columbia, Mo. JAMES H. ROLLINS, Columbia: S. V. BENET. WASHINGTON, D. C., January 9. Pray accept my profound sympathy in the loss of your father. He was my cherished friend for nearly thirty years, and I share in your sorrow. JOHN SHERMAN. NEW YORK, January 9. Captain JAMES H. ROLLINS, Columbia: Another good man and noble patriot gone where we must soon follow. W. T. SHERMAN. NEW YORK, January 9. JAMES H. ROLLINS, Columbia : Accept my hearty sympathy in your great bereavement. CARL SCHURZ. Mrs. JAMES S. ROLLINS, Columbia: NEW YORK, January 10. Mrs. Lawson, my sons, and myself tender to you our sincere condolence upon the death of your husband, our valued friend and Missouri's most distinguished citizen. L. M. LAWSON. St. Louis, Mo., January 9, 1888. I have just received the melancholy intelligence of the death of your distinguished father. Pray convey to the survivors my profound sympathy with them in the loss which this blow has inflicted upon them. In the death of Major Rollins the State of Missouri has lost one of its most eminent citizens, and the cause of education its stanch est supporter within our State. The State University is the monument of his earnest and persistent labors for a higher education of the people, and the School of Mines the result of his efforts for the development of the material resources of our State. Who could wish a better record than he has made? Captain JAMES H. ROLLINS. JAMES C. MCGINNIS. LACLEDE BANK, ST. LOUIS, January 9, 1888. JAMES H. ROLLINS, Columbia, Mo.: I have known your father well for near fifty years, and had great admiration for his ability, integrity, and patriotism. The death of such a citizen at any time is a great public loss, and to his family an irreparable calamity. For myself, whose acquaintance and mutual friendship has existed for half a century, it is a warning that touches my heart, and I trust will not pass unheeded. Very respectfully your friend, JOHN D. PERRY. JAMES H. ROLLINS, Columbia: ST. LOUIS, January 9. I beg to extend to the family of your distinguished and illustrious father my sincere sympathy. Kindly advise me of the time fixed for the obsequies. Captain JAMES H. ROLLINS: D. P. DYER. KANSAS CITY, Mo., January 9, 1888. I received your telegram announcing the death of your father. I greatly deplore his death. In him the State has lost its earliest friend and foremost citizen. In him centered all of those qualities which make a man truly great-a cultivated brain, a generous heart, elevated instincts, elevated actions, and a sympathy that made him equally as much the friend of the widow and the fatherless as of him who dressed in "purple and fine linen." Please present my tenderest regards to your devoted mother and to every member of his family. He did his duty to his fellow-men, to his State, to his Government, to the loved University, and to his God. Your friend, THOMAS T. CRITTENDEN. |