HOW UTTERLY appropriate and somehow reassuring that Strom Thurmond's Democratic colleagues allowed him to preside over the Senate in their final moments of controlling the chamber for who knows how long.
At almost 100, the South Carolina Republican is leaving the Senate after a tumultuous 47 years, during which he often took positions bitterly opposed by Democrats -- notably his record-setting 24-hour filibuster of civil rights legislation in 1957. Yet they praised him warmly for his positive contributions and extraordinary personal grit, and they gave the former Senate president pro-tem one last turn at formally adjourning the body, to which he poignantly added the post-script, "That's all."
The Democrats' gesture was an act of affection that those loutish partisans who booed Senate GOP leader Trent Lott at Democrat Paul Wellstone's memorial service last month didn't understand. Not all senators are truly fond of each other. But they all treat each other with respect, and some have forged deep personal bonds even across party and ideological lines. Those friendships, like the one between Mr. Lott and Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle, are vital to the functioning of the often intractable body.
It's a great place to grow old -- all infirmities and eccentricities are tolerated, including the hugs Mr. Thurmond bestowed on any woman senator who got within range. And a very hard place to leave, especially involuntarily. New Hampshire Republican Bob Smith, defeated in the primary, spent his final days wandering about the chamber, examining its 19th century desks and marble walls as if taking mental photographs.
A colorful era is passing with the departures of not only Mr. Thurmond and Mr. Smith, but also Republicans Jesse Helms of North Carolina, Phil Gramm of Texas and Fred Thompson of Tennessee.
Yet the Senate will remain lively, thanks to the continued presence of West Virginia Democrat Robert C. Byrd, who turned 85 last week. If his thunderous opposition to the homeland security legislation is any clue, Mr. Byrd is just hitting his stride.