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“... class and its limitations that he was so often unfortunate
in the selection of his lieutenants. His workingman was an
ideal workingman. He did not know how alluring are the
prospects that capitalism still holds out to one who seems
fated to be a beast of burden. Coming into the struggle whole-
heatedly and devotedly by giving his life to it, he could not
conceive that one of that class, whose only hope rested upon
the success of the movement, could prove untrue. Being
without pile himself he did not expect it in others; being
honest himself he could not see dishonesty in them; being
faithful himself he suspected no treachery. But when he
found his confidence abused, when the truth dawned upon
him that he -was deceived, he pursued them ruthlessly. Again
and again the instruments in his hand broke with the strain,
or proved useless, but again and again he returned to the
work, with renewed zeal, depressed but never broken in
spirit.
For Freedoms battle, once begun.
Though...”
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“...186
DANIEL DE LEONAN ORATION.
rare self-abnegation, his sterling honesty, his unflinching
courage, his unbounded confidence, the purity of his motives,
the dignity of his personality, the suavity of his manner and
the charm of his conversation, endeared him to us and held
us to him with bands of steel; and made his death a personal
loss. These traits and qualities cannot be felt, but may be
appreciated by those who come after us.
De Leons home life was ideal. Love ruled and blessed
that family, and its increasing numbers brought not greater
cares, but greater joy and comfort. To that home he could
go when fatigue and anxiety and disappointment and difficul-
ties beset him, and return refreshed, with doubts removed,
spirit buoyant, confidence unshaken and purpose undaunted,
to take up again the task which means a future of happiness
for the toilers, and a name which to his dear ones will far
outweigh in the balance of time the greatest fortune that was
ever heaped up...”
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