The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1860-07-18
For the Missisapptan..
The Late Col. /. N. Davis.

This distinguished citizen, departed this lii
on his family residence in Oktibbeha county
81 the 26th OF last month. He was born il
Ebert county, Georgia on the Ord of June
1913. His father, the Rev. VIM. Davis, was
Baptist minister. of a competent but moder-
ATE iortune-the subject Of this tribute of res
pect, however, was possessed of PARTS and
poverty the best legacy of the American
youth. He completed his education at Frank
-5ii ooilege, Georgia, studied law under Gen.
oeptha V. Harris, Of his native county, and
was soon afterwards admitted to its practice,
u uI that remarkable man, Judge Dooly =
ne soon attained an enviable position at the
Lar and in the estimation of his fellow citi-
- ems VINO had know him from his youth. At
cary age OF twenty-three years he was
eles'en 10 the Legislature he served one year
u uecllned reelection ; having ascertained
mat political life afforded no emolumcnt, and
must conine him to the use of the narrow
.neahs' which life devoted to the ministry on
the part o. his Father prevented aim from en-
larsihs. In 1888, however, he was again in
S S,'eu and pressed into the Legislature of the
o,ate where he rema ned uninterruptedly I'M
q. ,he year 1910, when he removed to the
oA'e OF Mississippi During this legislative
serrHe OF seven Years, he was made Chairman
~ iooo OF the committee on common and free
schoois |; and in company with DR. David Reese
was appointed by the Legislature to report a
syssem ior common schools. In company
NJ tnat gentleman, he travelled through the
New England States, and reported a system
adopted. go p"' '"'i'
=, In the exciting and memorable contest Ct
.ie oru ana new treaty parties, when coils
~. .nn vi arms seemed almost inevitable between
the state and the Federal Government he
urew up the first resolutions on the subject
wn,ch were adopted in the primary meeting
Vi the people, then being callei In his adopted
o'a'e' ne was twice placed upon the Wing
ticket, as Eector for President and Vice Pres{9
dent OF the United States and conducted each
canvass with marked ability and power.
In 1851, he also canvassed the State in the
great Union campaign giving to the cause of
nationality, the powerful support of his STIR
ring eloquence, as it was wrought into fervor
by his alarmed patriotism. In 1855, he was |
elected Senator from the counties of Pamela, |
lallahatchie and Coahoma. In 1866. he was |
appointed one of the trustees of our State |
U University, and continued in the able and zeal |
Gus discharge of its duties until his death.
Ihls brief and hurried recital OF the honors |
and events of his public life, is offered to the |
pubic by the friend upon whom has deyolved |
the sad office of announcing his death, in lieu
OF the accustomed language Of eulogy. True
ne knew him long and Intimately their friend
snip commencing in College life, and extending
through third of century. Yet he has
never known more unselfsh and noble na-
lure But the events alluded to, best pro-
claim his worth. The first commencing with
us early manhood, bespoke his early promise;
lnd each succeeding one but added seal to
he merit which won its predecessor Taken
ogether they constitute his highest eulogy
md proclaim his public usefulness and loss
| hey are recorded facts the truths OF history |
and they fiatter not and deceive not. They
'oint with equal clearness and significancy to
lis social qualities and private virtues enyag-
ng manners and kindly disposition
Into that inner and dearer sphere the ahome
ircle" We dare not enter The void created
y his death, is tenanted by anguish and grief;
nd contonnds by its intensity, the computa-
ion ofhis loss. Our consolation alone remains
o them, and any attempt to add to it, would
narr its fnllness. In the full vigor of his in P
elect, and at moments when truth and eter-
lity confronted each other, he gave to the
iith OF his pions wife, assurances of re-un-
On that was to be perpetual The light of
hat hope illumines the gloom of his dwelling
Col Davis was almost universally known
throughout his native and adopted State
esides large number Of acquaintance and
in other portions of the Union.
lis death will be extensively felt and regret
I'd as public loss. His personal presence
Till lie seen no more amongst us !; but thous-
nds upon thousands will tender to his living
memory, the tribute of a constant greeting
July 9th, 1860. G. IL