■ 154 
L56 
opy 1 




EUiott Ph,iio. 



X?-^L 



^-"TT-t^tr^^ 



PROCEEDINGS 



OF THE 



1^. House of Representatives 



Obituary Addresses on the Occasion of 
the Death of 



Hon. Michael B. Lemon, 

(A MEMBER FROM ALLEGHENY COUNTY) 



PENNSYLVANIA. 



CLARENCE M. BUSCH, 

STATE PRINTER OF PENNSYLVANIA. 

1895- 



M5^ 




RESOLUTION. 



In the House of Representatives, 

May 24, i8g^. 
Resolved (if the vSenate concur), That fifteen hundred copies of the 
resolutions and memorial services of Hon. Michael B. Lemon, be 
printed and bound in cloth for the use of the House. 

A. D. Fetterolf, 
Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives. 

In the Senate, May — , iSgs. 
The foregoing resolution concurred in. 

E. W. Smiley, 
Chief Clerk of the Senate. 
Approved — The 2Sth day of Maj', A. D. 1895. 

DANIEL H. HASTINGS. 



PROCEEDINGS 

OF THE 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

the; death of 

Hon. Michael B. Lemon 



ANNOUNCEMENT. 



Mr. MACKRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to a question of 
personal privilege. 

The SPEAKER. The gentleman from Allegheny (Mr. 
Mackrell), rises to a question of personal privilege. The 
gentleman will state his question of privilege. 

Mr. MACKRELL. Mr. Speaker, it is with the most 
profound feelings of sorrow and regret that I make to 
this Ilouse this evening the announcement that our 
friend and my immediate colleague, the Hon. M. B. 
Lemon, died in New York city tliis afternoon at two 
o'clock. 

Mr. STE\\'ART. Mr. Speaker, in connection therewith 
I offer the following resolution: 

The resolution was read b}' the glerk as follows: 

Resolved, That a select committee of tifteen members 
be appointed to make the necessary arrangements for the 
funeral of Hon. Michael B. Lemon, deceased, and report 
to the House suitable resolutions commemorative of his 
life and public services. 
The question being, 

Will the House agree to the resolution? 
It was unanimously agreed to. 

The SPEAKER. The chair appoints as the committee 
the gentleman fi-oni Plnla(l('l])hia (Mr. Stewart), the gen- 



6 Oh ituary Addresses. 

tlemau from Allej^heuy (Mr. Mackrell), the geutleiium 
from Philadelphia (Mr. Fow), the gentleman from Alle- 
gheny (Mr. Kearns), the gentleman from Allegheny 
(Mr. McDonald), the gentleman from Lawrence (Mr. 
Martin), the gentleman from Allegheny (Mr. Weaver), 
the gentleman from Philadelphia (Mr. Riebel), the gen- 
tleman from Philadelphia (Mr. Fletcher), the gen- 
tleman from Northampton (Mr. Zulick), the gentleman 
from Allegheny (Mr. Cotton), the gentleman from Mifflin 
(Mr. Parcels), the gentleman from York (Mr. Kerr), the 
gentleman from Lancaster (Mr. Wilson) and the gentle- 
man from Philadelphia (Mr. Kidd). 

ADJOURNMENT. 
Mr. PARCELS. Mr. Speaker, I move yon, out of re- 
spect for the memory of Hon. Michael B. Lemon, whos'i 
sad death has just now been announced, that this House 
do now adjourn. 

Mr. STEWART. Mr. Speaker, I second the motion. 
The question being, 

Will the House agree to the motion? 
It was unanimously agreed to. 

Whereupon, 
The SPEAKP]R adjourned the House until to-morroAV 
morning at 10 o'clock, a. m. 



Thursday, May 16, 1895. 

Mr. STEWART. Resolved, That a special meeting of 
the House of Representatives be held at 9 o'clock p. m., on 
Wednesdaj', 22d inst., to receive the report of the special 
committee appointed to attend the funeral obsequies of 
the Hon. INT. B. Lemon, deceased, and take such action as 
may then seem proper. 

Agreed to. 



OBITUARY ADDRESSES. 



RESOLUTION IN REGARD TO DEATH OF HON. 
MICHAEL B. LEMON. 

The Speaker. This is the hour (9 o'clock p. in.) fixed 
for the consideration of the resolution in regard to the 
death of our fellow member from Allegheny, Mr. Lemon, 
and the clerk will now read the resolution. 

The resolution was read by the clerk as follows : 
Mr. STEWART, chairman of the special committee to 
arrange obsequies of Honorable M. B. Lemon, deceased, 
submitted the following report, viz: 

To the Honorable the House of Representatives of Penn- 
sylvania : 

The undersigned, appointed a committee to prepare 
some suitable memorial of our regard for our late col- 
league, the Honorable Michael B. Lemon, beg leave to 
respectfully submit the following minute and recom- 
mend its adoption. 

WM. F. STEWART, D. E. WEAVER, 

Chairman. JOHN KEARNS, 

JOHN H. FOW, C. B. ZULICK, 

ARCH MACKRELL, CHARLES M. KERR, 

WALTER PARCELS. ALGERON L. MARTIN, 

.JNO. WILSON, HARRY FLETCHER, 

E. E. COTTON, WILLIAM M. KIDD, 

JOHN H. RIEBEL, WM. J. McDONALD. 



8 Ohiiuary Addresses. 



Whereas, The House of Representatives of Penusyiva- 
nia desires to testify its esteem for the kite Honorable 
Michael B. Lemon, Representative from the Third dis- 
trict of Allegheny, and its deep sorrow at his untimely 
demise, therefore 

Resolved, That this body hereby places on record its 
high regard for our late colleague as a soldier, a citizen, 
legislator and friend. Michael B. Lemon was a man who, 
in every relation of life, public and private, proved him- 
self worthy the esteem and confidence of his fellows. 

His patriotism and bravery were attested by the wounds 
he received in battle for his country's liberties ; his fidel- 
ity as a citizen was shown by the wisdom and conscien- 
tiousness with which he discharged the duties of a legis- 
lator, and his everyday life was a constant exemplifica- 
tion of his sincerity as a friend. 

In his death his constituents have lost an upright rep- 
resentative, the State a watchful legislator and his im- 
mediate family a loving and generous brother. 

Resolved, That we tender to the brothers and sisters 
of the deceased our heartfelt sympathy and condolence, 
and that the chief clerk be directed to transmit to them 
a copy of the resolutions with the action of the House 
thereon, and that as a further token of respect for his 
memory the House do now adjourn. 

Mr. STEWART. Mr. Speaker, we are here to-night to 
give expression to our feelings of sorrow for the loss of 
our fellow member, Mr. Lemon, and to lay our tribute of 
honor and esteem upon his grave, I desire to supplement 
the resolution just read with a brief review of his life and 
career as a citizen, as a soldier and as a legislator. Mi 
chael B. Lemon was born in Westmoreland county, Penn- 
sylvania, June, 1844; his parents were not in affluent cir- 



Hon. Michael B. Lemon. 9 

cumstanees; he was educated in the common schools of 
the State and passed an uneventful life up to his seven- 
teenth year. At that time the mighty struggle for the 
nation's existence began, and in response to the call of 
the President for troops, men inspired with patriotic im- 
pulses were gathered in from mountain side and valleys 
of old Pennsylvania, when the cities, towns and hamlets 
were sending their best men to the front, Michael B. 
Lemon, though but a boy was found among the throng 
that had gathered under the folds of the old flag in de- 
fense of the unity and integrity' of tlie nation. He en- 
listed in Company E, 155th regiment, Pennsylvania vol- 
unteers; eight companies were raised in Pittsburgh and 
sent to Camp Curtin, at Harrisburg, where the 155th 
regiment was organized. They were ordered to the front, 
requisitions for tents, clothing and medical stores were 
disregarded in consequence of which a large number of 
the men were taken sick. Colonel Allen seized the house 
of a noted rebel and used it for hospital purpose. For 
this he was placed under arrest and the sick and dying to 
the number of 200 were turned out into the fields, where 
the seeds of incipient disease were planted in the 
bodies of many, developing years after, carrying them to 
untimely graves. Michael B. Lemon was with his regi- 
ment in all the battles and skirmishes that led up to the 
disastrous battle of Fredericksburg, he was with his 
regiment when they made the repeated charges up to 
the stone wall at the foot of Mary's Heights, his 
brigade leaving 1,760 dead and wounded out of 4,000 
men at the foot of the heights. The 155th regi- 
ment sustained a large proportion of the loss; the 
desperate nature of this bloody battle can be at- 
tested to-day by the 20,000 graves of unknown Union sol- 



10 Obituary Addresses. 



diers in the National Cemetery on Mary's Heights. He 
was with his regiment when they crossed the Valley of 
Death between Round Top and Little Round Top, over 
Avhich they raced to tlie support of Hazlett's battery and 
the 140th NeAV York regiment, who were sustaining the 
Union side against the rebel onslaught on Little Round 
Top. General Weed had just been killed. Hazlett, in 
stooping over him to loosen his collar, met the same fate. 
Captain McKee, of Company I, 105th, fell, severely 
wounded alongside; he was with his regiment at Rappa- 
hannock Station and at Mine Run; he was with his regi- 
ment when driven into the tangled thicket, that hell of 
death and destruction, the wilderness, where he fell, 
within a few feet of the breastworks, struck in six differ- 
ent places, crippling his arm and leg. With the Battle 
of the Wilderness his career as a soldier ended. After 
recovering from his w^ounds he engaged as a salesman, 
which pursuit he followed up to the time of his last ill- 
ness. He was a man of unquestioned integrity and was 
held in high esteem by his business associates and the 
community in which he lived. He was elected president of 
the South school board and held that place for four 
years. In the fall of 1886 he was elected to this House and 
re-elected 1888, 1890, 1892 and 1894, these repeated returns 
fully attesting the esteem in which he was held by the 
people. He w^as appointed a member of the Soldiers' Or- 
phan Commission and served with fidelity and zeal. 
When first I met Michael B. Lemon I was drawn to him 
by his mild, unassuming manner, rarely thrusting his 
opinion on others, yet withal firm and unyielding when a 
principle was at stake. One of his greatest, grandest and 
noblest traits was his abounding charity, not of the nar- 
row, bigoted kind, but of the kind that suffereth long 



Hon. MicJiael B. Lemon. 11 



and is kind, vaunteth not itself and thinketh no evil. No 
deserving person appealed to him in vain. We have 
flowers to gather as well as flowers to strew. The les- 
sons taught by the life of the late Michael B. Lemon are 
worthy of learning. His example of good citizenship, 
his unstained official life, his love of country, his unsel- 
fish devotion to his friends, and above all his abounding 
charity could be imitated with profit by all. He slept his 
last sleep, he has fought his last battle; may his memory 
and virtues be long kept in kindly remembrance. 

Mr. CULBERTvSON. Mr. Speaker, I desire to ask the 
indulgence of the House for a few moments to pay to the 
memory of my friend, my tribute to a faithful legislator 
and a brave soldier. Michael !>. Lemon was born in 
June, 1844, in the county of Westmoreland, from whose 
high hills and beautiful vales have come so many men 
that in all the walks of life, have been an honor to their 
State. The early years of his life were passed in the 
quiet of his mountain home. He was educated in the 
common schools. 

In the early sixty's (August, 1862), when the dark clouds 
of war hung heavily over the land, when thousands went 
forth to battle for the right, this fair-haired boy, yet in 
his "teens," enlisted for the war. 

Through weary marches and long campaigns and fierce 
battles, in winter's cold and summer's heat, he marched 
on, until, in 1864, upon the bloody field of the Wilder- 
ness, he fell, his body shattered with bullets. iVfter many 
weeks and months of anguish, he rose from his bed, to 
bear through life a heritage of pain. He bore his suf- 
ferings with fortitude, seldom complaining and repelling 
sympathy. 

He was elected a member of tliis body in 1886 for the 



12 Ohltaary Addresses. 



first time, taking his seat in January, 1887. One of his 
particular cares and chief thoughts was to help in every 
way within his power, the orphans of his dead comrades 
and he served with fidelity upon the commission for 
many years. He was serving his fifth term in this House 
at the time of his death, and might have served five more 
had he lived, for his popularity seemed universal in his 
district. 

His companions playfully called him "the old soldier," 
and by that name he was known among his colleagues. 
While unattended by near relatives, there was no one 
who could number more warm personal friends. He 
has gone from earthly hopes and fears; we shall never 
see his face again. Faithful in the attendance of his 
State's interests in peace; gallant defender of his coun- 
try's flag in the bloody days of war. The best monument 
to him is the fond recollection of his life that will linger 
in the memory of a host of friends. Life at best is "a 
breath upon the pane," its joys are as the "snow falls on 
the water," "a moment white, then gone forever." 

In his death we are again reminded of the fleeting 
years, we shall never all meet under these circumstances 
again. "The rose that crowns the festal board for an 
Hour may bloom, but green forever is the cypress that 
deck the tomb." 

Old soldier, the bugle call has sounded "lights out:" 
Good night. 

Mr. PARCELS. Mr. Speaker, the grim reaper, who 
hath all seasons for his harvest, has been amongst us and 
thrust in his sickle. Our hearts are sad to-night, for there 
is a vacant chair on the other side of this assembly room 
and we are reminded by it that Michael B. Lemon is dead. 

What is death? "To die, to sleep, and by a sleep to say 
we end the heartaches and the thousand natural shocks 



Hon. Michael B. Lemon. 18 

to which the fiesh is heir." If this were all, "It would be, 
indeed, a consummation devoutly to be wished." But it 
is not all, for to-day we mourn the loss of an honored and 
respected colleague and by his death the State loses an 
honest, true, just and wise legislator. 

The good which men do lives after them, and it is well 
to-night that we should speak of the virtues of our de- 
ceased friend. Many of my colleagues here knew him 
better than I. My acquaintance with him began only 
with the present session of the Legislature. But our ac- 
quaintance was quickly formed. First, we were both 
guests of the Bolton hotel. Second, I noted the import- 
ant fact that he wore in the lapel of his coat the Grand 
Army button. Third, that he walked with a limp. When- 
ever these two last are numbered among the personal 
characteristics of a man they will immediately enlist the 
attention and command the interest of every old veteran 
of the war. That Grand Army button told full well that 
he, like myself, had one day worn the blue and carried 
the musket in defense of the old flag, and tlie limp, in all 
probability meant that he had been the recipient of hon- 
orable wounds in the forefront of battle. This last I 
found to be true, and alas, I found it also to be too true 
that with him the warfare did not end. 

"When the war drums ceased their beating 
And the battle flags were furled" 

But through all the long dreary years since it was one 
continual warfare, with pain, disease and suffering, but 
now his life work is ended and he is at rest. 

It seems to me, Mr. Speaker, that with us to-night the 
practical question should be, what lessons are we who 
^re living to draw from this visitation of death? It is 



14 Ohiluary Addresses. 



said that in ancient times, at the great feast of Belshaz- 
zar, the handwriting appeared upon the wall, but it could 
not be interpreted. By the death of our colleague the 
handwriting has again been placed upon the wall, but it 
needs no interpreter. It is bold, it is legible, it is brief, 
it is pungent. 

"Thou, too, are mortal, and thou, too, must die." 

Is this the end of life? Are we so soon no more? 
Death, death, the word is a misnomer. There is no death, 
it is but transition to life eternal. This world is but the 
ante-room to the great amphitheatre beyond. Life itself 
is but a moment compared with the great eternity. 

"The grave is not life's goal. 
Dust thou art, to dust returnest. 
Was not spoken of the soul." 

His soul has taken wings and flown through the deep 
mists which overhang the dark rolling river, but no path- 
way is left through which our mortal eyes may see the 
beautiful, the mystic world beyond. Each of us must 
bide his time until the messenger comes to bid us 

"Cross over the river and rest 'neath the shade of the tree 
beyond." 

Footsore and weary along life's pathway we may tread, 
but we will not have long to wait. Soon will come the 
day, aye, the hour, when the sun will sink behind the 
western hills and the shadows of darkest night will fall 
and we will stand at the gateway of the great barrier 
that forever divides time from eternity. But we need 
not fear, for those great portals are ever SAvinging in- 
ward. As w^e pass through them, darkest night shall be 
turned to brightest day. Then shall we put on immor- 



Hon. Michael B. Lemon. 15 

tality. Then shall we behold the beauty, the splendoi-, 
the grandeur, the glory, aye, the Deity Himself. Is it 
then so sad to die? It is said in this life that the future 
is but a repetition of the past. If this be true, then I 
dare say another will be found who will take the place of 
Michael E. Lemon, and will fill up the vacancy in the 
ranks. The world's great army will still move on, though 
he by the wayside has fallen, weary the march of life. 

But a few days ago, amid the perfume of choicest flow- 
ers, amid the strains of music, sad but almost celestial in 
its harmony, amid a large concourse of people gathered 
to do him homage, on a gentle slope of a western hillside, 
we, your committee, saw Michael B. Lemon laid in the 
grave. "Like one who wraps the mantle of his couch 
about him and lies down to pleasant dreams," there ^et 
him rest until the earth shall give up her dead. 

''Life's fitful fever ended, he sleeps well." 

Mr. MUEHLBKONNER. Mr. Speaker, it is always a 
duty to offer in public our tribute to the memory of those 
who have been associated with us in any of the walks of 
life, and especially so on this occasion ; called, as we are, 
together to pay our tribute of respect to the memory of 
our late member and colleague, Michael B. Lemon, who 
so recently passed into the beyond. We never realize 
the true significance of life until we come face to face 
with death. The decree of Providence which has so sud- 
denly, and it may seem to us so ruthlessly, snatched from 
our circle (on this floor) our brother and colleague, is, in- 
deed, inscrutable and past finding out. 

That vacant chair, covered with emblems of mourning, 
speaks to us more eloquently than any orator; while it 
recalls to us our loss, it also reminds us bv the loss of 



16 Obituary Addresses. 



him who so lately filled it that he has not lived in vain, 
though few his years, the savor of whose good deeds lives 
after him. 

I feel how utterl}' inadequate are an^^ words of mine to 
express our sense of the loss we have sustained as a leg- 
islative body, and the loss the district which he so ably 
represented is called upon to suffer. 

The history of the world records but few names that 
are destined to live long after those who have borne them 
have passed away. How becoming then it is in us to 
seek the guidance of that wisdom which is not of men so 
that what we do may be well done ; that the impress that 
we leave when we are called hence may be a blessing to 
ihe generation that succeeds us. 

Such was the aim and ambition of him upon whose 
tomb I am permitted to place a flower as a slight tribute 
of respect. This sad occasion fills my heart with sadness 
and grief. He was always affable and kind, faithful to 
his duties, active in all that he thought for the best inter- 
ests of his constituents and the State; earnest in his pur- 
pose, conscientious in everything he undertook, generous 
to a fault. In short, it may be truthfully said of him 
that in all the relations of life he was faithful to his duty, 
and the world is the better of his having lived in it. 

I readily recall the cheerful face and happy disposition 
which are inseparable with M. B. Lemon, of the session of 
1891 and 1893, and the early days of this session. Broad 
minded, with a wholesome contempt for bigotry and in- 
tolerance which so frequently narrow the mind and 
harden the heart. His liberal inclinations were a com- 
mendable attribute of his sturdy manhood, ever ready to 
assist where help was needed. He made himself one of 
the most useful members of this bodv as well as one of 



Hon. Michael B. Lemon. 17 



the most popular. We shall miss his genial smile; his 
voice shall never again be heard within these halls; it is 
hushed in the silence of the dead. His troubles are over 
and he has gone to the mysterious shore from which no 
one returns. 

As we bid him farewell forever, let his presence ever 
remain in our hearts, remembering that we too are sub- 
jects of the will of our Creator, and the path over which 
he has trod is still before us, and, sooner or later, one by 
one we shall follow. 

Let me then close with the words of Longfellow: 

"Life is real, life is earnest, 
And the grave is not its goal. 

Dust thou art, to dust returneth, 
Was not written of the soul." 

Mr. FOW. Mr. Speaker, we have met here to-night to 
pay a tribute and lay a laurel wreathe upon the brow of 
one of our beloved members. We have also met for the 
purpose of rejoicing with each other that notwithstand- 
ing the pride which we, as Pennsylvanians, have for our 
native State, with all her riches as represented by her 
nuuiufacturing industries and natural resources, that she 
is richer still in her Heaven born within her border who 
aided in creating this Union during the time that tried 
men's souls, and those who preserved it during the dark 
days of rebellion. I thank God, Mr. Speaker, that such 
men have lived and left their impress for good 
upon the leaves of our country's history. 'Tis 
equally true that we are holding these memorial 
services to-night for the purpose of condoling with 
each other and to mingle our sorrows because one such 
man has died; but that was the will of God. It is the in- 
2 



18 Obituary Addresses. 



evitablefate that awaits us all, then letusso live thatwlu'ii 
the dread summons comes for us to join the innumerable 
caravan that has gone before to that mysterious realm 
where each shall take his chamber in the silent Lalls of 
death, that we go not like quarry slaves at night, 
scourged to our dungeons, but sustained and soothed by 
an unfaltering trust, approach our grave like one that 
draws the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to 
pleasant dreams, and rest secure in knowing that what- 
ever duty we had to perform, that whatever task was as- 
signed to us, Ave did it well and for the best interests of 
society and the State. If we do this there will always be 
some one to remember us. 

And it was simply that proper performance of duty, 
both in military, civil and official life that caused Michael 
B. Lemon to be respected and honored while he lived, and 
now revered and beloved in death. 

To unbind the tendril entwined around his heart by inti- 
mate companionship, and to take the hand of a cherished 
friend and bid him good-bye forever, would be hardly 
supportable, were not true friendship eternal, and this is 
true and has been demonstrated in the lives of all men, 
and how often in the future in these halls, as in the past, 
will now gather together to honor the memory of some 
beloved colleague who has been laid in the bosom of 
mother earth, and how much stronger will be their dem- 
onstrations of grief when their friendshii) for the dead 
was formed while risking life and limb in defense of tlie 
Constitution and the Union. Ties of friendship are 
formed in no two cases alike, but when formed while m 
the performance of some hazardous risk, when formed 
while charging tlie eminent deadly breach, when formed 
while charging a battery of guns, when formed while 



Hon. Michael B. Lemon. 19 

lighting- death amid the Hame aud smoke of battle, when 
once formed under those circumstances it is seldom 
broken. It is the chief impelling cause that has brought 
together numbers here to-night to hold these services that 
will end in a few days by the placing of nature's choicest 
gifts — beautiful flowers — upon the grave of our departed 
friend, because of his services — not as an official of the 
State, but because he was willing and did sacrifice home, 
friends and eventually his life, that this government 
miglit live, and we do honor to-night to him, not only as 
an official of the State, but as a volunteer soldier who 
stood with many of you, thirty odd years ago, where the 
minie-ball sang its song of d(nith, on the hills and in the 
valleys of that sunny Southern land, and at Gettysburg, 
in our own State, shoulder to shoulder, using his best en- 
deavors to protect home and country. 

Public opinion, Mr. Speaker, has placed the volunteer 
soldier upon the highest pinnacle of patriotic virtue, and 
among the highest and best type of citizens. The 
American citizen volunteer has not his equal on the globe 
and, when led by the type of men that have made our 
country famous, are invincible. 

We have a peculiar system of raising armies, unlike 
any other nation, but when put to the test is the best; let 
any disaster seek to overwhelm the prosperity of any of 
our free institutions, and men will rally as if in protec- 
tion of their own firesides, but wlien the autonomy of the 
whole fabric is attacked, then the whole nation rises as 
one man. And so it was in the early sixties, when Mi- 
chael B. Lemon gave his support to our national govern- 
ment; he, like many others, became a beacon light to 
guide other men as to what their duties were in the prem- 
ises; and when war, grim-visaged war, o'er ran the land, 



20 Obituary Addresses. 



they commanded a national confidence and respect, and 
bis name sliould always be pronounced with affectionate 
gratitude by all his friends, as one who believed in the 
maintenance of human rights, human liberty and justice. 
Mr. Speaker, for several sessions of this House Mr. 
Lemon labored with me upon the Appropriation Commit- 
tee, and I wish to bear testimony to his untiring zeal and 
to the faithful and eiificient manner in which he dis- 
charged his duties as a member of that committee. Hon- 
est in his purposes, faithful to the trust imposed in him, 
he labored upon the foundations of our government, to 
lay them deeper and stronger. He was one of those who 
strengthened its pillars, adorned its capitols and at- 
tempted to raise its dome still higher in the sky. 

Mr. MACKRELL. Mr. Speaker and fellow members: 
We have turned aside this evening from sterner duties to 
wreathe in tenderest recollections of love and friendsliip 
the memory of our lamented friend, the Honorable Mi- 
chael B. Lemon, my immediate colleague and much-es- 
teemed friend. 

Mr. Lemon was born at Mount Pleasant, Westmore- 
land county, Pennsylvania, in 1844, and when but a boy 
of eighteen, enlisted for the defense of his country; and, 
on the roll of membership of the 155th Pennsylvania vol- 
unteers, you will find the name of my departed colleague. 
It was the division of which his regiment was a part that 
caused the Confederate general, Longstreet, to exclaim, 
as they made their noble charge on Mary's Heights, at 
the battle of Fredericksburg, "If courage and daring 
could entitle soldiers to victory they deserve success." 
Next, the glorious defense of Little Round Top will live 
as long as the annals of time shall nM-ord tl'e valor of a 
nation's heroes. He waswoiinded in the hi]) and shouhh^- 



IIoji. Michael B. Lemon. 21 

at the battle of the Wilderness, and being left upon the 
field to die was found the next day by the colonel of his 
regiment, who took him in his arms and carried him to 
the regimental headquarters where he was nursed back 
to comparative; comparative health I say, as the wounds 
he received on that hot May day on that bloodiest, bram- 
bled and vine tangled battlefield, finally was one of the 
causes of death. Like thousands of other brave boys 
in blue who went to make up the rank and file of the 
Union armies, and preserve to us a reunited nation, he 
has passed away for the soldiers' reward. 

As years rolled by his suft'erings became more intense, 
so that during the present session he was unable to parti- 
cipate in active legislative work. His physicians 
advised a trip to the Bermudas, which was taken, 
but without the much-looked and hoped for re- 
sult. Feeling his strength failing he hastened to 
his home, but only was able to reach New York 
city, and from that place we received the said intelli- 
gence of his weakened condition; hurrying to his bedside 
could but confirm the dreaded report. The wasted form, 
the enfeebled strength indicated all too positively, that 
his time on earth was brief, and that he was fast hasten- 
ing to the grave, to that land from which no traveler re- 
turns. He was filled with the desire to reach his own 
city, but in the midst of strangers, with none near of kin 
and but one of his many loving and faithfid friends to 
speak the parting farewell, press in loving embrace the 
kindly hand and wipe the death damp from his brow, he 
passed away from time to eternity, from earth to Heaven. 

The life of my colleague was not an eventful one, but a 
useful one; not flashing as a meteor across the horizon of 
public affairs, but shining as a star in resplendent manli- 



22 Ohituary Addresses. 

ness and beauty of character. Mr, Lemon enjoyed, at the 
time of his death, the distinction of being the oldest mem- 
berin point of continuous service from Allegheny county, 
this being his fifth term. 

I have had the pleasure of being intimately acquainted 
with him for a number of years, and twice his colleague, 
and just here must attest to his straightforwardness, 
manliness and honesty. 

Truly courteous, he possessed the requirements essen- 
lial the gentleman; quiet and unassuming, he exhibited 
strong resolution and self assertion, and being true to 
convictions was enabled to act conscientiously and intelli- 
gently. He was a most intense man, and into the ardous 
duties of the Committee of Appropriations, he threw the 
very zeal of his being. As chairman of the Military Com- 
mittee he deserves special commendation. His constitu- 
ents were not limited to his section, but extended over 
the entire Commonwealth. 

To me, so closely allied to him, it is a grateful thing to 
recall his encouraging interest in younger men, to re- 
member his kindly and helpful words. 

Feeling his own infirmities and bodily weakness, the 
force of his life and thought went to the alleviation of the 
unprotected, helpless and feeble. Whether or not the 
words of the reverend Lincoln in his second inaugural 
address, "to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for hira 
who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and 
orphans," true it was that through his loyalty and pa- 
triotism that soldiers' homes and soldiers' orphans were 
so well remembered and provided for; he was not only a 
strong and trusted factor, in the affairs of the State, but 
also in his immediate community, holding for the fourth 
lerm the ofli'^e of the presidency of the Second ward 



lIo7i. Micliaei B. Lemon. 28 

f?c!iool board, the duties of which he discharged with 
cliaracteristic faithfulness. His strongest and most di^ 
rided r» ait of character was his broad sense of charity, 
'"thai charity that spealceth no ill," and by his death the 
Koiiso has lost an honored member, the State a loyal de- 
fender and his city an honest citizen. 

On September 3, 1862, his regiment halted in this city 
on its way to the defense of Washington; on April 
20, 1895, his remains were borne lovingly to these 
legislative halls, to receive honors from friend and citi- 
zen, as had Lincoln, Geary and Hartranft. We covered 
his bier with fragrant lillies, and blossoms commemora- 
tive of love and friendship, and now, with sorrowing 
hearts and subdued voices, pronounce words of praise to 
his modesty, unassuming worth and long devotion to 
public affairs. 

He has gone to his grave amid the sorrow and benedic- 
tion of the people who knew him longest and loved him 
best; it is well for us to remember in the solemnity of 
this hour that our friend's lot is the common destiny of 
all mankind; neither station, nor talent, nor race, nor 
wealth, can exempt us from "the reaper with sickle keen," 
who robs our hearts and homes, who takes from us the 
soldier, citizen, patriot, friend. 

And we may well say with the poet: 

When hearts whose truth was proven 

Like thine are laid in earth. 
Then should a wreath be woven 

To tell the world their worth. 
Green be the turf above thee, 

Friend of my better days; 
None knew thee but to love thee 

None named thee but to praise. 



24 Obituary Addresses. 



Mr. DOUTHETT. Mr. Speaker, I arise merely to say a 
word in honor of our fallen brother. Perhaps it is appro- 
priate I should do so on this occasion, because his mantle, 
as head of one of the committees of this House, has fallen 
upon my shoulders. Being second on the Military Com- 
mittee, the Speaker has selected me to fill his place. 

It maj' be further meet and proper for me to pay my 
tribute of respect to his memory this evening, because I 
entered upon the same scene in the dark days of the re- 
bellion that Comrade Lemon did. Pardon me for speak- 
ing of myself, but I was one of the men who went over 
the stone wall at Fredericksburg; was also wounded in 
the Wilderness the same day that Comrade Lemon was, 
and very near the same place. I am here to-night to bear 
testimony to the fact that he was an unselfish patriot. I 
say unselfish, fellow members, because he gave his life 
for his country. 

A week ago I visited the cemetery at Antietam. There 
stands a large monument in that cemetery which bears 
just one inscription. It is this: '"Not for themselves, but 
for their country they died." So with our fallen comrade 
— not for himself, but for his country he died. 

Not having prepared any written speech, I will simply 
relate incidents of our experience. I wish to repeat one 
of which I was an eye witness. When I was lying wound- 
ed on the battlefield of the Wilderness, the comrade on 
my left, lying at the point of death, had his right arm am- 
putated. Arising up from his stupor, lifting the bloody 
sheet, he said, "Where is my arm? Bring it to me." It 
was brought to him and he clasped his cold arm with the 
other and said, "Farewell; you will never fire another 
shot. You will nevei" draw another sabre. Yon will 



Ho7i. Michael B. Lemon. 25 

never write another letter to father or mother, to sister 
or brother. Farewell." Comrade Lemon went through 
the same sad experience. He gave part of his body upon 
the battlefield of his country. 

I say he was a i^atriot. He stood by the stars and 
stripes that decorate the floral emblem on his desk to- 
night. That flag meant to Comrade Lemon divine favor. 
It showed to him that the Almighty smiled upon our 
country in time when we needed favor. He believed, as 
we all do, that every stripe of that flag has a lesson in pa- 
triotism. The red stripe meant to him brave deeds. It 
meant to him that his forefathers had sacrificed their 
lives for our liberty, and so he was inspired to sacrifice 
his, and to spill his life's blood on the soil of the nation in 
order that the Union might live. The white stripe be- 
neath the red meant to him purity, peace and love of 
country. Because that is what patriotism is. It is noth- 
ing more than the same principle exhibited in the home. 
We think of our family with love and solicitude, and that 
same principle widened out leads one to think of his 
country. He thought of his country and offered up his 
life for her peace, perpetuity and prosperity. He fought 
with courage and determination, as though the peace, 
happiness and prosperity of his country, not only to-day, 
but in the coming generations yet unborn, depended 
upon his exertions. The blue of his flag meant to him, as 
it should mean to us all, sincerity, faithfulness and loy- 
alty. 

These were some of the characteristics of our comrade. 
Think of them. He was not only unselfish, but he was 
loving, he was faithful, he was loyal to his country. Fel- 
low members, may we stop and learn a lesson. We may 



26 Obituarij Addresses. 



say that there is no chance for us to be heroes; that there 
is no chance for us to-day to become great generals. 1 
love to speak of the great generals of our armies — Grant, 
Meade, Sheridan and so on; and I must say to you that I 
allow no man to excel me in my admiration for these 
men. But I drop my warmest tears, I strew the bright- 
est llowers, upon the grave of the private soldier. He 
bore the brunt of the battle. He suffered the privations 
of life, and him we should ever hold in fond remem- 
brance. 

AVe are to-night still engaged in the conflict. Not upon 
the field of battle, but to preserve the principles that 
Comrade Lemon laid down his life to establish. We 
must have the same vigilance, we must fight against 
error and wrong just as valiantly, we must stand \i\) for 
the right just as bodly as did he. I trust that every mem- 
ber of this Legislature will be faithful and true to the 
principles for which he fought, and that we may hand 
them down unsullied and untarnished to the generations 
that are to come after us, so that when our life is ended 
it may be said of us, as it may be Avell said of him, well 
done. 

Mr. COTTON. Mr. Speaker, it was my privilege to 
know intimately the gentleman whose memory we honor 
this evening, and it is extremely fitting that this House 
should pay this mark of respect to one whose life and ser- 
vices deserved much from the hands of his fellow citizens 
and whose delicate modesty restrained him from ever 
persistenly or offensivel}' urging his jDersonal claims to 
preference. 

His was a life of arduous duties, well performed, and 
indifferentl,y requited. 



Hon. Michael B. Lemon. 27 

He entered the army of the United States in his early 
youth, and only left the military service of his country 
when compelled by his shattered body's inability to bear 
his brave and martial spirit to further service therein, 

IJis health having flown from him on the current of his 
blood in the Wilderness of Virginia, he resumed the pa- 
tient burden of life and without complaint of his suffer- 
ings continued to serve his State and assist and encour- 
age his friends and comrades. 

As president of the South school board, in the city of 
Pittsburgh, he rendered valuable services to the cause of 
popular education, and as a member of this House during 
the sessions of 1887, 1889, 1891, 1893 and 1895, he filled 
many honorable and responsible positions, and was an 
energetic, careful, painstaking and attentive member of 
many of its most important committees, and as a commis- 
sioner of the soldiers' orphan schools of the State he en- 
deared himself to his surviving comrades of the war and 
earned and enjoyed the gratitude of the widows and or- 
phans of those who are deceased. 

In all the relations of life Mr. Lemon was affable, cour- 
teous and gentlemanly to others and considerate of their 
opinions; he was a warm and generous friend and a for- 
giving enemy, never harboring malice or cherishing 
hatred. 

He was a brave soldier, good citizen and an lionorable 
and useful public servant, whom we shall all miss from 
his familiar place on this floor, and whose pleasant greet- 
ing will hereafter come to us as a sweet echo of the past. 
The SPEAKER. The question now is upon the adop- 
tion of the resolution reported by the committee. The 
resolution will be adopted by a rising vote. 



28 Obituary Addresses. 



As many as are in favor of adopting tlie report of tlie 
committee will arise in their places. 

The resolutions are unanimously agreed to. 

ADJOURNMENT. 

According to the provisions of the resolution just 
adopted, the Speaker now declares this House adjourned 
until to-morrow (Thursday) morning at 10 o'clock a. m. 



;,;.. ^ u»- CONGRESS 



014 209 472 li