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United States Senate,
Friday June 23, 1893
Washington, D. C.
My dear Mrs. Stanford.
The occasion that causes this letter is the most sorrowful one that has ever happened in my life. My best friend, my benefactor and my dear and honored employer has passed away. A most wonderful man in all the things that goes towards making life, he performed his part wonderful as it was, and then "touched by the finger of God he went to sleep."
He lived, he died and he will live forever. It will be to me the proudest thing that I can ever say, when I say that I was once in the employ of Leland Stanford, and it will always be my greatest pleasure to recount his many kindnesses to me and mine. Known by many now in all parts of the world, it will not be many years before his name
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United States Senate,
Washington, D. C.
will be revered and honored by millions who today have never even heard of him.
It is not my intention or desire now to go into a dissertation on the work of my dear friend. My purpose is only to add my tribute, to lay a single flower at his grave, in fond memory, and to express to you my heartfelt sympathy. I know I shall feel better for making the effort, even if the effort be a failure.
My mission hereafter, self appointed I admit, will be to impress upon the country as best I can by tongue and pen, the greatness of Leland Stanford, as a man, a citizen, a philantrophist [sic], a Senator and a Stateman. In this task of love, I shall leave no stone unturned, no path untrodden
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United States Senate,
Washington, D. C.
and no effort untried. I shall also enlist to the end in pressing upon the world, the Land Loan Bill, to which measure he was so wedded, and of which he was so justly proud, but which on account of circumstances, he could not press at all times with as much personal activity as he desired. I feel that it will not be long before it will be recognized that this measure is one of the greatest and most desired ever before the American people and its Congress, and that it will live forever as one of the many monuments to its founder Leland Stanford. I feel also that in doing all I can to advocate the adoption of this measure, I will be best carrying out the wishes of my dear friend, whose devotion to it, will be my inspiration.
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United States Senate,
Washington, D. C.
We are all in grief here. At my dear mothers house I am met with tears and at my own house, my wife and children are bowed down in sorrow. Truly God moves in a mysterious way his wonders to perform.
We will all be with you in spirit on Saturday morning when the grave closes on the mortal part of our dear friend and your dear partner and husband.
God be with you,
Your friend.
