him personally; we shall all miss him in our social intercourse, and in our deliberations. The community and district in which he lived will miss him. What better eulogy can he receive?

""Tis infamy to die and not be missed!"

Senator Durkee was a man of character, a man of thought, a man of action, a man of broad views, of generous impulses, and high honor. He was faithful to his trust. His force of character and individuality impressed his influence in whatever circle he moved. His influence will live after him. The world has made progress, and is better for his having lived in it. Senator Lewis Durkee dead will do more for the world than MANY men living.

In the language of another,* written in memory of the deceased Senator:

Weep! for a brother gone in the blaze of life's noonday glory-
Swept from our circle true by Azrael's pitiless blow!

Weep! while we tell anew the ever-repeating story

Of hands that are still for aye, and hearts that are sunk in woe.
Scarcely a day it seems since this hall, now sombre with sorrow,
Welcomed his well-known voice, and heard his familiar tread:
Yet, where those blossoms lie, for many a sad to-morrow,
Silent his seat shall wait him who is slumb'ring with the dead!

Slumbering do we say? Ah! rather from earth's half slumber
Hath he awakened now to a real and perfect life:

Sharing the fadeless joys of the glad and glorified number

Who have "gone up higher" to rest from this world of sorrow and strife!

'Tis but a little while, for our footsteps tarry never

The shadow on life's stern dial will never a moment wait

Then we shall aweary stand on the verge of the mystic river,

And wistfully peer through the haze for a gleam of the golden gate!

And there, in the fields Elysian, we'll gather the dear ones scattered,
And revel in joys ne'er fancied in earth's most eloquent dreams;
While hopes that we wept in woe, as their beauty was dimmed or shattered,
Shall bloom-fair flowers of Heaven-on the banks of its living streams!
* Written by Mrs. Senator Patterson.

BY SENATOR M'GURK.

MR. PRESIDENT,-Aside from members of the previous legislature, Lewis Durkee was one of the first Senators with whom I became acquainted after the organization of the Senate. The more I became acquainted with him the more I was led to respect him. The oftener I met him socially, the stronger became those social ties which bind friends together. As members of the same committee I found him a man of sound judgment. As chairman of the committee on federal relations he allowed no bill to pass until it was carefully considered, and had thorough investigation. The positions of trust which he formerly held had given him a general knowledge of men and things, seldom attained by any one man. During his sickness here, he was always cheerful, patient, and hopeful of a speedy recovery and return to his duties as Senator. Being a man of strong will power, he never complained, even though suffering severe pain. That he was honored and respected by his neighbors, was evident by the anxious faces which met him at the station and his residence, on his return home for the last time. With the death of Senator Durkee, a loving wife lost an affectionate husband, a dutiful son a kind father, and the State of Michigan a man of whom she had every reason to be proud.

BY SENATOR CAPLIS.

MR. PRESIDENT,-I have but few words to say. I cheerfully acquiesce in all that has been said of the late Senator. I regret that I did not have the pleasure of meeting Senator Durkee before our acquaintance in this Senate chamber. I can say in all candor that few men in my passage through life have impressed me more favorably upon so short an acquaintance. He appeared to me to be a man of simple habits, of manly dignity, and of a kind and generous nature. This is the manner in which he presented himself to my mind while living, and in this esteem I shall hold his memory now that he is no more with us. I trust, Mr. President, that he is enjoying the felicity of that better state said to be the reward of those who possess the virtues which shone so constantly in him.

BY SENATOR EDSELL.

This vacant chair, which is so beautifully clothed in the emblems of mourning, speaks to us in language too plain to be misunderstood, that one of our number has gone-that our circle is broken. The immediate cause of Senator Durkee's death perhaps may be traced to some particular disease or some particular cause, but why in the providence of God the fatal seal should be fixed upon him while the rest of us are permitted to live, remains to us a mystery that perhaps will never be fully solved.

My acquaintance with Senator Durkee was very brief, confined almost entirely to this chamber, but it was pleasant and useful, and it created an impression and belief in my mind that he was an honorable man; a man who sympathized largely with humanity; not a Pharisee in his religious views, but a man of liberal mind and thought, who partook of the good Samaritan in his sympathies. This member who has left us won my highest esteem, and I recognize in his death that we have lost one of our useful members. I recognize also that the State has lost a good and respected citizen, that his home friends have lost a kind neighbor, his son has lost an indulgent father, and his wife a kind and loving husband, and with these friends I most heartily sympathize.

BY SENATOR STRONG.

MR. PRESIDENT,-I was deeply grieved to learn of the sudden taking off of our late colleague. Death, although the lot of all, the ever impending, ever expected event which terminates our mortal careers, comes ever with a shock, severe and in proportion to the tenderness of the tie the will of the Almighty has severed.

In common with my fellow Senators, I had imbibed a deep respect for our late departed friend. Having served with him on the same committee, and been thrown in close and familiar contact with him, his many good qualities asserted their influence over our intercourse. I cannot restrain a pang when I think that a friendship so tender in its beginning has been canceled forever.

His care for the interests of his constituents, to his duty as a legislator, his wise judgment as a sagacious business man, attracted my attention. He ever manifested a regard for justice in dealing with those questions which sometimes force the legislator to a decision which must necessarily bear hard upon

some.

He ever remembered the weakness of humanity, and had compassion for its errors. Seeking the greatest good to the greatest number, alive to every consideration of duty or expediency, he set his course upon principle, tempering

it, as became a wise man, upon circumstances, and teaching us anew the truth of that well-known quotation, "An honest man's the noblest work of God."

BY SENATOR BROWN.

MR. PRESIDENT,-I merely wish to add a word to those already spoken. The simple fact that a few seats from mine there stands a desk draped in mourning is sufficient excuse for me. It is an indication of a privilege to express a word of condolence, or a sentiment of regard and appreciation.

Living in a distant part of the State from the deceased Senator, my acquaintance with him extends back only to the time of our first convening in this chamber for the present session. But I think I hardly need appeal to his most intimate friends for the correctness of the estimate that I placed upon his character.

He belonged to that class of men who, among the multitude of men, are too few,-men who say what they mean, all they mean, and no more than they mean; men modest in deportment but effective in action; men whom we most thoroughly appreciate in life after the severest tests of friendship; men whom most we miss in death, because of the difficulty we experience in filling the places they left vacant. One of these men was Lewis Durkee. He has gone and we mourn his loss.

BY SENATOR FARR.

My deep personal sorrow, a sorrow that each Senator upon this floor feels in addition to our common loss, can only excuse me for adding a word to what has been so eloquently and tenderly expressed. I regret, Mr. President, that my absence has prevented that due preparation which is always appropriate upon occasions so solemn. But a personal acquaintance, sir, with our departed brother, is the most fitting preparation. By that acquaintance we grew to love his personal character, his integrity, and his virtues. It was my fortune to enter into somewhat confidential relations with him upon an important committee. To us were intrusted matters of vital moment to society and the State. I can testify, Mr. President, to his unfailing industry, his constant attention to the minutest details, as well as to the broader principles that underlie the work of legislation. His health was at all times during the session precarious and delicate, and to an extent that to many men would have precluded labor, still he worked constantly and faithfully, and no word of complaint ever escaped him. The intercourse of the dead Senator with his brethren upon this floor was always marked by a grave and dignified courtesy. He was not obtrusive or violent in the expression of his opinions, yet I doubt much whether any Senator upon this floor was more firm in the faithful performance of his public duty. Without obstinacy, he yet held firmly to his convictions, because he was loyal to what he believed to be right. It has been well said that every life has on its pages lessons of good or evil. What must be the iufluence of a life so true in all its essential purposes as that of Senator Durkee? That those good influences will go on and on, cheering, strengthening, benefiting, are the sure opinions of science and philosophy.

My short acquaintance with the lamented Senator was certainly very ful to me. I learned from him many useful lessons, not the least of which were patience and silent submission to the inevitable; and I think that every Senator on this floor will make the same confession. Take him all for all he was a man, and that is the highest tribute we can pay to any one in this life.

BY SENATOR GIBSON.

It has been said of Senator Durkee that he was an honest man and a kind neighbor. He has passed from among us. We can only speak of him as we knew him in our short acquaintance. As a legislator, he was ever ready to do his duty and to do it well. His opinion was respected by every member of this body. His influence has already borne its fruit, and no doubt will go on bearing fruit for all time to come. As I am informed by those who best knew him, he was a man kind in his family relations, pleasant with his neighbors and honest in all his dealings. Every Senator upon this floor sincerely mourns his loss and sympathizes with his afficted family.

BY SENATOR WINSOR.

MR. PRESIDENT,-The most enduring monuments that we can erect to the memory of man, as time rolls on into eternity must crumble into dust, and such monuments are only worthy of a moment's thought in so far as they represent our respect for the dead and sympathy and affection for the mourning friends of the departed. But we live in an age when men are remembered after death for grander and nobler acquirements than the monuments of the past were erected to commemorate. Among the most to be admired of these, within the reach of every true man, is that of living a pure and honorable life, being a kind and devoted husband, a watchful, loving father, guiding his children by the rod of love and devotion. Such man was our departed brother, who in a

few short days we all learned to respect.

Why was he so suddenly called from among us and the bosom of his family to whom we offer a sympathy that cannot be spoken? That power, wonderful and mysterious, beyond the comprehension of finite minds, can only tell; that power that unchains the avalanche from the mountain's side, which, in its onward course crushes man and worm alike; that power that rends the mountains in twain and buries a living city in an hour has taken our friend from us. We can but bow in humble awe, presuming not to judge of the wisdom of the infinite decree.

Truly in the midst of life we are in death, and while offering our sympathy to the friends of our deceased Senator, may we not well pause in the onward rush and turmoil of American life to be admonished of the uncertainties thereof, that we may be better men, truer husbands, loving fathers, a living example to those for whose existence we are responsible; chaining them in bonds of love and good example to a pure and noble life?

BY SENATOR KILPATRICK.

I came in too late to hear the resolutions offered, and do not arise to pronounce a eulogy upon the dead Senator. But I wish to say that during his legislative experience there was no act performed by Senator Durkee for which his brother Senators or his constituency need be ashamed. And this, with the fact that he occupied a position upon this floor, entitles him to our respect. It is well that when a man lays down under the heavy yoke and burden of life those things which have been unpleasant are forgotten and his virtues are extolled. And if it was for nothing else than our acquaintance with him here, I could hardly allow the occasion to pass without expressing my deep regret at our loss. But it is not alone this brief acquaintance that causes me to speak.

I was one of the Senators who attended the funeral at his home, and listened to that sermon pronounced by the minister who conducted the services, and among other things, he said that from his personal experience, and from six

years of intimate acquaintance with Senator Durkee, no other man in his native village would be so missed as the late Senator; and I thought then that when the time comes to us,-as it must come,-if it can be said of us that no man could be so missed, then we will have nobly fulfilled our mission in life.

BY SENATOR CHANDLER.

I am unwilling to allow these resolutions to be adopted without adding a few words in remembrance of the late lamented Senator. My acquaintance began with him with my senatorial duties upon this floor. He was naturally a quiet man, but when you reached the depths of his heart you found there a noble nature; you found a good citizen, a conscientious legislator, and a true and faithful friend. We have all learned from him the lesson to faithfully and conscientiously perform our public duties; and let it be recorded of him that no unkind or harsh word ever passed his lips either in official intercourse or social relations with us.

He was one man in a thousand. Most of us have got a little of that rash humor which our mother's gave us, and sometimes we overstep the bounds of propriety in heated debate or social discussions, but never can that be laid to the charge of the late Senator Durkee. He was a true and faithful friend. May he rest in peace until the last great roll-call shall be made and we be there to hear his cheery "here," in answer to the summons of the Great Master.

BY SENATOR BILLINGS.

MR. PRESIDENT,-I often think of the great army marshaled to their long home of death. Thirty-two million strong yearly pass to the unknown. No home or condition of life is exempt from furnishing her annual recruits. God forbid that we should check the throbbing of the human heart when the destroying angel comes into the corridor of life.

We pay our last tribute to the late Senator Durkee, not because he was a saint and an angel on earth, or a man without faults, for he was neither, but as a man with ambitions and passions of other men. He met the same temptations, struggled against the ills of life, and was crowned with victory in resisting them; and as a man I honor his memory, and contribute with a sad heart this token of respect. In his life was realized the saying of the Hindoo prophet in the ceremony of christening a child: "Thou comest into the world weeping, while all around thee rejoice, and may thou so live that all around thee may weep and thou rejoice when dying."

His life was so ordered with good deeds that all around him were weeping while he was dying with a smile on his face, indicating that all was well. A bright world opened before him, and angels bade him welcome to the unknown. We cannot claim for him any noble birth or son of royalty, but one of nature's noblemen-such a one of whom the poet sang:

"God give us men; a time like this demands

Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands;

Men whom the lust of office does not kill,

Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy;

Men who have honor, men who will not lie,

Men who can stand before a demagogue

And damn his treacherous flatteries without winking-
Tall men sun-crowned who live above the fog

In public duty, and in private thinking."

The resolutions were then unanimously adopted by a rising vote.

On motion of Mr. Edsell,

The Senate adjourned.