BIOGRAPHICAL 29 



that we did not recognize him as Oskaloosa's foremost citizen 

 and most kind and generous neighbor. The kindly advice, the 

 encouragement and counsel he has given to his friends at home, 

 the countless deeds of kindness and of love to his neighbors will 

 build for him a monument in the memory of his friends higher 

 and more enduring than any marble shaft. 



Knoxville Journal (Democratic) : 



Major Lacey has a notable career as a lawyer, soldier, and 

 statesman. For many years he was one of the men who had a 

 real voice in the government of his country. His political con- 

 victions were intense and he never faltered in them or swerved 

 from the path they marked out for him. He was one of the most 

 approachable of men, kindly and cordial. His soldier com- 

 rades idolized him and no reunion of the old boys was ever com- 

 plete without John F. Lacey. 



Fairfield Ledger : 



Major Lacey was a man of strength and vigor and he used 

 both against the sham and pretense of the politics of these days, 

 which he thoroughly hated. He went into public life clean- 

 handed, and he came out clean-handed. 



Dave Brant, in the Iowa City Republican : 

 In Congress Major Lacey was a natural leader. He was not a 

 political legislator. He stood in Congress for something better 

 than politics. He was constructive. He was called a stand- 

 patter, but there was never a moment in his career when he did 

 not stand for something new, something of benefit to the people. 

 Few men are they but would have weakened when defeat was 

 before them. But John F. Lacey was the exception. He re- 

 tired from public life rather than surrender his principles. To- 

 day when we have weathervane men in Congress from nearly 

 every district in the state, with the same kind of men in most of 

 our public places, it is refreshing to pay a tribute to one who 

 never faltered. 



Major S. H. M. Byers writes : 



I have known him intimately since boyhood. We were boys 

 together in the public schools — studied law at the same time, 



