The Committee heretofore appointed by this Court to draft resolutions upon the death of Senator Wm B. Bate, presented their report which was read in open Court and adopted by a rising vote and is as follows:

To the Hon County Court of Sumner County Tennessee, We your Committee appointed to draft suitable resolutions upon the death of Senator Wm B. Bate, beg leave to submit the following Telegram received announcing the death of Wm B. Bate in Washington City, March 9th, 1905 brought much surprise and grief to our people. But a few days before he was in the enjoyment of good health in the exercise of his eminent mutual faculties, and in the full discharge of his duties as a citizen and a Senator. He has been suddenly numbered with the dead and we the County Court of his original home County recognizing his great ability, his eminent services as a lawyer and legislator, a political leader, a Major General in the Armies of the Confederacy, a Governor of Tennessee, and a Senator of the United States feel that his death demands something more than a passing notice at our hands. William Brimmage Bate was born Oct 7th 1826 and his life was so full of important and conspicuous events that it would fill a volume of great magnitude should we attempt to give all of its incidents. We find him in his youthful days a trusted Clerk upon the Steam Boat Galatin(?) plying the waters of the peaceful Cumberland & turbid Mississippi, which position he relinquished to answer the tocsin? of war, which announced the clash of arms with Mexico in 1846 and was present at the capture of the last flag that floated above the halls of the Montezumas in that memorable conflict. Peace having been restored he laid aside the sword, Knots and Epaulets of a Staff Officer and became the Editor of the Tenth Legion a newspaper published in Gallatin Tenn. Which he edited with such ability that he was chosen to represent his native County (Sumner) in the Legislative Halls of Tennessee before he was of age, his 21st birthday being between the date of his election and the meeting of the Legislature. After attending the Lebanon Law School he was elected Atty. General of the Nashville District composed of Davidson, Sumner, & Williamson Counties in 1854, over the competing candidates. He was ofered the Congressional nomination of his party but declined, to insure as he believed his parties success. In 1860 he was chosen upon the Breckinridge Lane presidential ticket. In 1861 when his beautiful Southland appealed to the Chivalry of Tenn. He at once offered his services and by his daring gallantry and exalted heroism on many a contested field arose by successive gradations from Captain to Major General. He having followed the floating feathers and shifting fortunes of the "Bonnie Blue Flag" from the peal of the first guns upon the lanes of Manassas until dew drops fell like tears from the Apple blossoms of Appomattox. Then mid blackened ruins, desolate homes, and neglected altars he began to repair his ruined fortune. When his dear beloved Tennessee recognising his eminent ability and noble worth called him to her Gubernatorial Chair and yet higher until his well rounded life was practically finished as a member of the Sentate of the United States. Senator Bate possessed that within him which would have made him a conspicuous man in any age and country. Had he lived in the early days of the early republics of Greece & Rome he would have ranked with their greatest patriots. He was a veritable tribune of the people who never lost faith in their patriotism and sense of justice. He was a public spirited citizen and never failed to contribute his time, talents & money to every public enterprise in his reach. He never forgot a favor or deserted a friend in fact his name his purse & his influence were always at the command of his friends. He was a man of most genial disposition , even temper, of fine conversational powers and treasured up with great fidelity the bon-mots of his political and foresesic? career and was therefore a most agreeable companion for old & young. He was a man of the highest integrity of character & his record as a citizen or a public servant was always above suspicion. As a husband, parent, neighbor & friend no man stood higher, in fact in these relations of life he was a model of all to follow. In his death Tennessee has lost a nobel son, one who has "done the State some service". The old year had just passed away, standing upon the threshhold of the New Year he looked forward to still other triumphs in public & private station. But the pale horse and his rider came and He sank to his rest, like the sun beneath the billow, and calm as the zephy's that kisses the wave. Leaving the wild eye of friendship to weep ore his pillow, And virtue to light him beyond the dark grave. He has gone from amongst us to be seen no more of men but his name & memory will live and be fondly cherished long after this generation has passed away. Therefore be it resolved that in his death our State and nation has lost one of its noblest sons. That we deeply sympathised with his family & tender to their assurance of our sincere condolence in the sad bereavement and irreparable loss. That these restitutions be spread upon the minutes of this Court and that the Clerk transmit a copy to the family of the deceased.
G. N. Guthrie
Wm Hall
G. W. O. Griffin
Committee