John R. Tanner, Governor of Illinois, 1897-1901

Excerpt from John R. Tanner, Governor of Illinois, 1897-1901: Died May 23, 1901 Friends and Fellow-Citizens: The immediate family and friends of the man whose body lies here ready for the grave have thought fit that I should speak some words ere we turn from this solemn scene forever. In acceding, with much diffidence, to their request I assume no clerical or religious function. It is not for human impertinence to assume to state the account between this man and his Maker. Nor shall I enter here upon the task of vindicating him from the censures of political critics and enemies. History is writing a just and final judgment upon the work of this man's life, and the true record of his vindication will be read of all men long after the falsehoods of enmity and the clamors of prejudice shall have died away forever. Nor shall I attempt to gild the memory of our departed friend with the tinsel of soft and meaningless eulogy. He would himself be the last to desire it. He would, if he could speak, exclaim with Cromwell, "Paint me as I am." About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.