The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-10-19

reserve his sense of obligation to Gen. Cass, tor
valuable aid in accomplishing the objects OF his
mission in France. Mr. Cass was then the resi-
dent Minister from the United States at the French
Court He was not only interested in the fate of
Texas, but was attracted toward Henderson by his
talents, and his noble and manly bearing. Flom
him Gen. Henderson frequently received distin-
ouished attention. and often shared his confidence.
The good opinion of that eminent and venerable
statesman, thus early acquired, was never lost.
Not more than two years since, some citizens OF
Texas in Washington city, were speaking, IN his
presence, of the probable election of Gen Hender-
son to the United States Senate, when he express
sed his warmest qualification at the intelligence,
and spoke of him in the highest terms of conlmen-
dation and friendship.
While in Paris, Gen. Henderson became ac
uuanted with Miss Francis Cox, of Philadelphia,
who was residing in that city with her father, Mr.
John Cox Mr. Cox was then in Paris for the
purpose of educating his children, two daughters
and a son. Gen. Henderson and Miss Frances
were married in October, 1889, in the city OF
London Mrs Henderson lived for sixteen years
in our village, and her intelligence and her private
worth are we'll known and appreciated by our cltl-
zens Her loss calls forth our deepest sympathy;
but private grief while it is great, is sacred from
public intrusion.
Gen. Henderson returned from France to Texas
in the beginning of lS40 and was everywhere
welcomed by the warm gratulatlons OF his country
men, At Galveston, a complimentary dinner and
ball were given him, invitations to accept public
demonstrations of respect were extended to hlm
from several other Places but with character Istlc
modcsty he declined them all. At the expiration
of Gen, Lanlars term Of Office he was strongly
urged to become candidate for the Presidency OF
Texas. He answered that he not old enough,
as the Constitution of Texas required the incum-
bent of that office to be thirty-fve years OF age
His friends replied that that would cause no dIth-
Guilty, as he was generally TAKEN by appearance to
be forty and no questions would be asked. To this
he said that he would ''never violate the Constr
tuition of his country though one on earth
should know it but himself" His own heart, he
said, would know it and would condemn him Can
Roman history furnish an instance of more riGldly
yirtuous practice than this? Even Aristidcs, who
would not deceive the countryman who asked him
to write the ballot for his banishment, was not
more conscientious than Henderson, IN the dis
charge of his obligations to his country and her
laws.
His courtesy and his kindness in his intercourse
with his professional brethren, will not soon be
forgotten He was utterly and entirely above what
distinguished lawyer has snguarly termed the
"snapparadoes of practice" His noble heart
scorned equvocaton and deceit, while his great
mind taught him that they never secured any per-
manent success No class of men will more SIN
cerely mourn the death of Henderson than the
LAWYERS of Texas None should spread brighter
wreathe upon his tomb than they.
In November, 1916, Gen Henderson was cleo
ted Governor of Texas In the spring of 1878,
the war with Mexico having commenced, requ-
si:on was made on Texas for four regiments of vol
unteers They were raised, and Governor uendcr-
son took command of them in obedience to a reso-
luton of the Legislature of Texas inviting him to
do So When the troops from the neighborhood
of Austin left for the of war, Gen. Ii. was
unable to leave his bed. y week later he started
in carriage, with only one or two friends, and
without an escort, though his route lay within Il
short distance of a large body of Mexican troops.
He led the second Texas reg ncnt in pelson on the
third day of the attack on Monterey. There are
those present to-day, doubtless, who know how gal
lantly he bore himself on that field Of danger. On
one occasion, on the last day, in attack upon
a house from which murdcrous fire pouring,
| Gen. Henderson, in accommodating, before he OBJ
served it, was cut off from his men. In order to
regain thcm he had pass for some distance along
a narrow street, lined on both sides with houses
the tops of which were covered with men to whose
guns he offered the ony y aim. Deeming it reckless
to throw away his life if he could it, he made
his way to his command on his hands and knees
in this respect initiating the great Napoleon, who
was forced to adobt the same method of avoiding
the murderous volleys fired at him when he effect
ed his entrance into Vienna. That noble and
chivalrous son of the South, the Hon. Jefferson
Davis whose command Henderson on
that important day. in describing this circumstance
uses the following language: 'On the third and
last day of the attack, when night was closing
around us, and we were near to the main plaza, We
learned that we were isolated that orders had beer
sent to us to retire; that the supports had beer
withdrawn; and that were surrounded by a large
| number of the enemy A heart less resolved,
mind less self-reiant than Henderson, mig INT have
doubted, wavered and been lost The alternative
was presented to him Of maintaining post which
he was confident he could hold of retiring, wher
it was doubtful whether we could cut wa,
through the enemy: he asked no other question
than, care we ordered to retire!' On learnin:
that such was the fact he decided, at whateve
hazard, to obey; and narrowly on that occasion
escaped with his life. Asense of duty rose with hin
superior to all other considerations and lie obeye'
an order which he might have been justified il
disobeying, because of the dangers to which
would subject him.
Gen. Henderson was one Of the Commissioner
, appointed by Gen. Taylor to negotiate with An
, pudia for the surrender OF Monterey. For hi
services in that battle, Congress voted him sword
in connection with the heroic Qutman and tx
ether Major Generals. H..
3 As another instance of the probity he practlcec
in the discharge of his public duties, it may b
| mentioned that while in the with Mexico, h
E was appointed Major General in the services
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