hood which feels the depths of loss and suffering for its stricken. In this moment I rise to note what security there is in this scene in America. What a beautiful example is exhibited of the support and sustenance of all that could be called for in government. The compliments paid, the suggestions given by the eminent leader of our opposition called Republican [Mr. MCNARY], that which came from the assistant leader occupying the place of leader, the Senator from Kentucky [Mr. BARKLEY), express the united feeling at this moment, together with that which we send out to our country, that it may know that at a more appropriate time will come those individual testimonials to character and qualification appropriate to the occasion. For the moment I merely invite the attention of the world to what this body now represents in its expressions as to America, and I close with the appropriate adoption of the poet Browning and proclaim, "God's in His heaven. All's well with America." Mr. HARRISON. Mr. President, in common with the whole membership of the Senate, my heart is heavy and my eyes are filled with tears. JOE ROBINSON was, to my mind, the most useful, the most dynamic, the most forceful, and the most influential man I have ever seen in public life. He had a heart of gold, yet as tender as the heart of a child. We are all grieved. Arkansas has contributed distinguished and illustrious names to add to the glory of our history; but, Mr. President, with all her distinguished and illustrious characters, none will ever brighten the future of this country as will the services and labors and fine deeds of this, her noble son. I grieve with you, Mr. President and fellow Senators, in the loss of our colleague and friend. Mr. VANDENBERG. Mr. President, with inexpressible sorrow and regret I wish humbly to be permitted to place my wreath of abiding affection and respect at the tomb of this great memory. Through nearly 10 years of my service here Senator ROBINSON was my cherished friend. He was a great citizen, a great Senator, and a great American. His country without division will mourn the passing of a sterling character and a noble soul. It is dark in the valley of the shadow, Mr. President, but thank God for His promise of the great reunion. Mr. O'MAHONEY. Mr. President, I am altogether conscious of my inability to express here upon this occasion the feelings that well up in my heart as in the hearts of every Member of this body. However, I cannot allow the moment to pass without giving some expression to the profound grief which I personally feel in the passing of this great man. It was more than 20 years ago that I first heard Senator ROBINSON. It was on this floor. As a young man I listened to him in one of the great debates at the beginning of the World War. I shall never forget the inspiration I drew from what he said upon that occasion. I shall never forget the admiration with which I was filled at his eloquence and power. I can only say now that he was a brave man; he was a simple man; he was a loyal man; he was an able man. He was a Senator of the United States. Vigorous and forceful though he was, he was also patient and tolerant and tender. He was beloved by his colleagues in all that term implies. Mr. President, I am profoundly grieved that his service has ended. Mr. WAGNER. Mr. President, later there may be an opportunity to add more to what I may say at this sad moment. Senator ROBINSON'S life was one of ever-enlarging service to the Nation. His public career was long and distinguished, and his last years in the capacity of Democratic leader assured him a permanent place in American history. Chosen to be the chief legislative general in the most comprehensive social and economic program ever enacted in this country, his integrity of mind and character and his remarkable talents made every Member of the Senate, regardless of party, feel that no one else could have done his work so well as he did it. His masterful accomplishments will long stand as an inspiration to others and as a standard by which unselfish, devoted, and brilliant public service will be judged. The Nation has suffered a great loss, and everyone who knew Senator ROBINSON as I did will find it hard to recover from the shock of his unexpected passing. Mr. AUSTIN. Mr. President, I rise to say farewell to a friend and to wish God's compassion and support for his bereaved widow. The Nation has suffered a tremendous disappointment and loss in the sudden departure of JOSEPH ROBINSON. So far as his record known to me goes, I can testify that I have admired his fidelity as the leader in the Senate of a great party, responsible for a program. Regardless of and notwithstanding private opinions or private differences, I have admired and gloried in the sacrifice that I have realized was being made by him at times in fidelity to a cause; and so far as that other matter of the soul goes-that really lovely friendship tendered by him and enjoyed by all Members of this great deliberative body-I wish to record my gratitude for having been able to participate in it. Only yesterday, at about 5 minutes of 12, while I was engaged in a hearing on a committee, a note was passed to me saying that Senator ROBINSON was trying to reach me by telephone. I regret to say that, however rapidly I reached the telephone, I was unable to get into communication with him, and his office was unable to say where he might be called. Nevertheless, I feel that there is to be forever cherished in my memory the fact that he was trying to get in touch with me so late as about the hour of noon yesterday. Mr. NEELY. Mr. President Whether at Naishapur or Babylon, Whether the cup with sweet or bitter run, And oh, how swiftly the wine of life oozes; how rapidly the leaves of life fall within the little circle that surrounds the membership of the United States Senate! The grim, insatiate reaper, with marble heart that feels no pity; with icy hand that knows no mercy; with sickle keen, that never turns its edge, has, without an instant's warning, removed JOSEPH T. ROBINSON, one of the most illustrious of Senators, from the tumultuous land of the living to the silent land of the dead. For much more than a quarter of a century he was one of the most celebrated men of the Nation. He was successively a member of the general assembly of his State, a Member of the House of Representatives of the United States, Governor of Arkansas, and a Member of this body continuously from 1913 until last night, when his eyes closed in that peaceful sleep “from which none ever wake to weep." Less than 20 hours ago he appeared to be in perfect health, in the very flower of mature manhood, and but a short step from the summit of human achievement. Only yesterday he was magnificently leading one side of the greatest parliamentary battle that has been waged in the Senate since the days of Webster and Calhoun and Clay. A more capable, conscientious, or courageous forensic chieftain never entered the lists. He illuminated every question he discussed, graced every cause he espoused, dignified every task he touched, and ennobled every duty he performed. But now we call his name in vain. From his pallid lips an answer nevermore will come. In the hush that pervades this sanctuary which he so long and so brilliantly adorned we realize that this faithful friend has sailed that surging, sad, and solemn sea which separates the narrow shores of time from the boundless kingdom of eternity. He has passed the limits of earthly vision. His living form cannot be seen through the telescopes of science or the tears of grief. But in this hour of overwhelming anguish we look beyond the cloud of gloom that hangs above us like a pall and there, through faith, we see the star of hope still shining on. In the lustrous light of that constant star we read the assuring promise of the Savior of the world: I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Fellow Senators, in this promise let us put our trust. While dogmas perish and creeds crumble, while agnosticism decays and atheism dies, let us continue to lean upon the everlasting arm, believing that the twilight here is but the dawn of a grander day upon some other shore. Believing that the feeble flame that flickers here for a little while will at last leap into a bright and shining light when the spirit of man has winged its flight back to Him that gave it birth. God grant that JOE ROBINSON is now walking the streets of paradise that are paved with stars. Illustrious patriot and leader, loved and loving husband, cherished, faithful friend, a long farewell! All our hearts are buried with you, Come not back again to suffer, Wear the heart and waste the body. Soon our task will be completed, Soon your footsteps we shall follow To the islands of the blessed, To the land of the hereafter! Farewell, great heart, till we meet you in the purple dawn of an endless day in that imperishable realm where the rain |