SENATOR FLETCHER'S TRIBUTE.
Senator Fletcher spoke as follows :
Sitting at this desk, decorated with these emblems of sorrow occupying this chair, made vacant by the hand of death, and representing the same constituency, it seems fitting that the first time I address this Senate it should be in acknowledging the worth and honoring the memory of Senator Chapman.
Upon the sudden death of a friend, the first outburst of grief is like molten iron-it burns, seethes and hisses in our hearts; but when the mass is cooled by time. we may inspect it, or shape it at our pleasure and test its true value as a metal. A summer's gun has warmed his grave: a winter's snow now covers it; the first hot grief xs cooled, and this memory of his clear, bright character remains with us, an imperishable monument. In touching upon his character I would adopt the plan of plain perspiecuity of truth.
Senator Chapman was a type of highly nervous organization; his mental seemed to. feed inordinately upon his physical. His mind was in- tensity itself. and subjects examined by him had to yield up their facts.
I had known Senator Chapman nearly thirty years-as a youthful journalist, as a citizen, a soldier, a jurist and legislator. I met him frequently, not as an intimate friend, but neighborly acquaintance. He was a man who would attract attention by his quiet demeanor, unless he was aroused to action by a just cause; then he would equally attract by his persistent, terse, sharp, incisive method of dealing with and pursuing his subject. He took life seriously, and circumstances with the last two years had laid upon him a twofold burden of sorrow in the : death of two bright boys. About a year ago, just as twilight was fading into darkness, I met him in a remote part of the city alone. He did not recognize, me, but passed with measured tread-eyes peering into the gloaming, as vainly looking for a lost hope. As he disappeared into the darkness he reminded me of a walking monument of grief.
I saw him no more until we met, one beautiful afternoon in March last, in the delightful Park of San Pedro Springs, at San Antonia, Texas. His changed look then betokened that his life's sun was going down. He talked, however, more freely than usual, and more kindly of the world than I had ever known. Particularly did he dwell upon his work in this body, which he regarded as a laborious and thankless task, wherein he used his best abilities and diligence to act wisely upon all questions-freeing them from partisan qualities. But his humble efforts, he thought, had frequently been misconstrued by many whom he regarded as friends. I saw him but once after his return home; then came the startling news that be was dead.
Examine the life and character of Senator Chapman as closely as we may and all will conclude that he was a good citizen, a brave and skillful soldier, a wise jurist, an able statesman and an honest man. Than this no higher eulogy can be spoken.
On motion by Mr. BUNDY the resolution was adopted by a rising vote, and the Secretary of the Senate was directed to transmit a copy of the resolutions to the family of the deceased.
The Senate then adjourned till 10 o'clock to-morrow.
