The New York herald., 1870-01-22
JnIneN l.. AIcOrn.

General AlcOrn was born In Illinois, and Is q man
IN the prime OF life. While quite o boy his father
emigrated to Kentucky, where he engaged In the
steamboat business and failed. The oss Of his capt.
tal deprived the subject OF this sketch OF the benefits
OF liberal education he being compelled 10 abandon
his studies and earn a living by labonng on q farm
He appears, however, to have received no small
amount OF knowledge, for we nnd him, when
quite young man, removing TO AreaI-
sas and engaging In the occupation OF
o teacher. While thus employed he devoted
all OF his leisure moments to improving his mind.
and is now man Of eIuditlon as well as OF marked
natural abilities lie made himself very popular
with the people OF Arkansas, by whom he was
elected to various positions or trust While en-.
gagged In the duties OF sheriff of his county he
studied law and III 1S42 was admitted to the bar.
During the following year he moved to Coaaana
county, Miss where he had parchased plantation,
and entered upon successful career as a planter as
well as lawyer. Por sixteen years General Acorn
served in the Legislature Of Mlssisspp part OF the
time in the State Senate. He was also delegate TO
two constitutional conventions At the time OF the
secession excitement in 1851 he took decided stand
against the movement, ana again Ia lSO0 used all the
influence he possessed against the Southern revolu
FAILING in his efforts he acquicsccd IN the de-
cision OF the people and accepted . commission n
brgadier general offered him by Lhe Secession Con-
yention. Soon after the began hs obtained tIa
RaMe POSITION lTOiH the COneucTdb,
cntered Kentucky with the rebel army. PERSONAL
differences with Je1 DAVIS soon lnpclled hin 70 10
sign and retire TO private life, from which he was
subsequently called 70 serve III the Legislature. In
1862 General Alcom created quite sensaron in
Mississippi by speech he delivered IN tae LcglslA-
ture whcn he designated the Confederate soldiers
as democratic m0D.o From that time he Was
regarded with suspicion by the rebel authorities, AID
was once arrested though promptly released on an
ordeHDrom lichmond. Towards the close Of The var
he advocated the gradual emancipation OF the
slaves, and their employment LII the Confederate
of hn m tIn lnU n NAV n nd
mlnlsratlon ior lis want OF diplomacy and general
imbecinty." Although his sentiments were dstaste-
fa 10 large majority OF the people, General Alcorn
never lost Their confidence and esteem. Ia 1so3 ho
commanded the Sixty days volunteers at columbus,
and acquitted himself with credit. on tue close OF
the wur ho returned To political ile and elected
Senator III Congress for the long pJ lie
lature convened IN october 1865, under President
Johnsons reconsructloa plan, but was not permttcd
10 take MS seat. Although lie dLi not approve ul
the plan OF reconstruction adopted by Cousress,
General Aicorn supported II as a means whereby
mississippi would resume her place Ia tae councils
OF the republic. lie, however oppoxed all pros GRIP
ton ol account OF participation III tns rebellion
ana his recent election Governor OF the state
greatly due TO the known lberality Of MS seat.
| ments AS pubic speaker, Gcnerai Acorn u
fluent ana iippassioned lie W Ill no doupJ serve hi
| Senatorial term Win credit.