New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-02-13

NIcKsBURo, February 3, 1873.

To the Editor offhe Ne,, National Era:
certainly intended long ere this to write
to you concerning the sadeyent which occur
red here in the death OF Hon. James Lynch
our late Secretary Of State. His death cas-,
gloom all over the State, as he was
thoroughly known, much respected, and
stood high in the estimation Of all who
knew him. lie came into the State in 1907
and took as prominent a part in the revolu.
'ionary events which engrossed the minds
Of the people from that year until his death,
ne any man in the State. He was certainly
the best stump orator in the State, and
whenever he was announced to speak at a
place, Inc would he sure to have a large
audience Of all classes of citizens. He was
frequently called the Sargent S. Prentiss
Of his day" This is high compliment, as
Prentiss was noted as being one Of the finest
orators In the country.
Mr.. Lynch did not have the style of Wen.
dell Phillips, nor Of George W. Curtis, nor
OF John Ii. Cough, nor Of Frederick Doug
lass, nor of Henry Ward Beecher; but of a
somewhat earnest Methodist minister's style,
with every nerve in the body responding to
the subject under discussion. His language
was chastc, his utterance distinct, and his
gestures expressive. Last summer, while in
the fight for Congressional nomination, he
delivered one of the most effective speeches
in our courthouse for over three hours that
! have ever heard. And the next day,
when our county convention was:n session,
he was called out again, and delivered
another speech of the same length of time
without even appearing to repeat a solitary
word that he had uttered the night before.
At both OF these meetings were some of our
most prominent Democratic citizens and
lawyers, and all of them said that he was
certainly one of the most remarkable speak
ers theyha ever heard.
His death came upon Us very suddenly,
and i'm him the Republican party has lost one
Of its most prominent members, and his
church one of her leading ministers. At
his funeral the Governor, Attorney General,
Auditor OF Public Accounts, Superintendent
Of Education, Senator Caldwell, Representa-
tives Bush and Hill, Governors Private Sec
lum, and your humble correspondent acted
as pall-bearers. We had been warm friends
for many years, and we had hoped to see
him live to enjoy many more honors from
the Republican party of Mississippi. But he
is now gone the way we all must soon go,
and another must now rise and take his
place.
While giving you items occasionally from
this State, thought it might interest your
readers somewhat in giving them in a short
way the
PERSONNEL OF OUR LEGISLATURE
And, to commence, / will take you into the
Presidents chair in the Senate chamber,
and there you will sec a man of about fifty
five years Of age in the person of acting
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BENNETT.
know but little Of Lieutenant Governor
BENEFITS history, but judging from his re-
marks in joint discussion which he and
had during the Presidential campaign, l take
il for granted that he is Southern man.
He identified himself with the Republican
party previous TO the reconstruction of the
State, was elected State Senator as a Re-
publican from Kinds and Rankin counties in
1860; and when Governor Alcorn resigned
his position as Governor to take his seat in
the United States Senate, and Lieutenant
Governor Powers became Governor, the
Senate, after fierce battle between several
Senators for the position of President of the
Senate, united on Bennett for the position.
We do not think the Senate reflected much
credit upon itself in the selection, as there
are many members Of that body, both white
and colored, who are far more able to fill the
position. Bennett hates carpet-baggers with
all the hatred possible, and during the
late campaign he fought earnestly on the
Greeley side. lie is "a man of medium size.
white hair, wears a white beard, and his
countenance is utterly void Of any intelligent
expression. He is, however, a genial friend
TO those whom he likes, but a bitter foe to
those whom he dislikes. From the Prcsi-
dents chair will take you to seat on the
right of him occupied by Senator
ALLsTON MYaATT,
who represents this county. Mr.. Mygatt
was eIeCtcu iTOH luis county IN loOS, anu IS
now serving the last session of his term.
believe he is a man Of Northern brth-an
old fellow-student of Hon. Gerrit Smith, and
of our old ex-fellow townsman Hon. C. B.
Sedgwick, of Syracuse, New FORK, at Ham.
ilton College, at Clinton, New York. He
came TO this State about thirty-fiye wears
ago on account of his health, and has always
inbibed strong anti-slavery views. He could
not, however, proclaim his feelings in this
county previous to the war without endan-
gering his life. But during the rebellion he
remained loyal to his country, and was often
brutality prosecuted for his manly sentiments.
He identified himself with the Republican
party as soon as Gen. Grant captured this
city, and for a time was the leading kepub-
lican Of the State. He has been President
Of the Union League Club of the State for
years, and still holds that position. He is a
rather tall man, and stoops very much under
the weight of sixty years. One can readily
see that in his younger years he was man
of determined princinles md pofb;po On