The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1877-01-12
The Late Hon :. vi. rcEnnis.

On the Sth inst, the HouSeiof Representa-
tives having under consideration resolu-
tions of respect TO the memory OF the iaee
Hon. John NJ McInnis, Representa'1Ve
from the counties of Harrison and Jackso-
Hnn Z F. Griffin arose and said
Mr. SPEAKER :--i}ators. the adoption o.
these resolutions / ie~'re to submit Jew
brief remarks on the life and charac,ff ~
the subj let OF them the Hon. J"hn NJ. ny
Inris The short time which has lnter'eh-
ed since the introduction of them has rem
dere6 it i'm possible for me To prepare SOME
thing more elaborate and better digested,
which other wise, | would have taken great
pleasure in doing.
Sir. be, YOUR Indulgence and that of
this House. while read what have 10 say
as am not in the habit of making speecu-
es. and i'm this case have chosen to RISK the
charge Of an attempt at display, rather thah
not say what [ could not without a manu-
script.
Itis.with great difidence that / assay to
speak on this occasion; but there are TWO
reasons which impel me, and would pe re-
creant to duty were | TO fail TO do so. LIE
| first is: That am his immediate successor,
and am to- day occupying the seat made va,
cant by the relentless hand of death to MI
! ont his unexpired term of office. The next
| and greater reason is That he was the frlend
| and companion of my boyhood and youth.
| For nearly five years, we sat beside eacn
other in the school room. and wandered
through the groves and over the plne-ciad
| hills Of our Southern forests.
In riper wears, we have travelled life's
| checkered journey along nearly parallel and
| adjacent roads: for we have lived friends
| and neighbors, and followed the same avo-
cations in life. There may be those, In this
House, who are won lerng what can be SAID
| commendatory of the life and character OF
| the modest. quiet, reticent member who oc
cupied this scar, during the long session OF
| last wear. Would that had the time and
the ability, to analyze his characeer, and
spread out his virtues before you; then all
could look on them admire them, anu love
them; for [ assure you that L come not as a
! mere panegvrist because the occasion has
afforded an opportunity and there are those
| in this House and in the other end OF the
Capitol, who are ready to bear witness to
the truth of all [ may say
| Mr. McInnis was born in Green county,
in this State, in the year 1884, and althou gh
! his ancestors for two generations were born
in this country. he was OF as pure Scotch
| blood as ever cOurSed the veins of a Bruce
or Wallace. He was brought up under
the plain, stern and rigid morality o.
! h-Prpsbvterianism He took his Acad-
emic course at the once famous Salem High
School, in his native county, and his Cole
! eiate course at Oakland College. He had
lust fairly commenced life as a business
man, at the beginning of the late war,
when in obedience TO his cOuntry'S call, ne
SnOuIu6reu his luuSkCu, anu "GuI W Inc
| front.
Throughout that contest, he was faith
full, brave soldier, and the close of the war
found him prisoner on JOhnson's Island
Since that time he has been constantly. as
siduOusly aud successfully employed in the
manufacture of lumber; in 1875, contrary
to his own wishes, but in Difference TO the
wishes of his friends, he consented to be
come a candidate for the Legislature, and
was elected a member of this House.
John NJ. McInnis was no ordinary man.
Educated without being learned. he pos
sessed mind capable of mastering almost
any subject with which it came in contact.
mind that was vigorous, penetrating,
broad, and comprehensive in all Of its Ope
rations As a business man, he was sue
cess having secured a competency within
the last ten years. This was accomplish
cd by no chance or luck, but by his inhe-
rent business capacity, close application
and industry l would not attempi to es-
innate or measure him erely by his sue
cess as a business man this in my opinion
is false standard, erected by men gener-
ally, by which to judge their fellows,
: There are other. and m ore nOole character
istics, by which would have him estima-
ted. Modest and reserved, he was never a
eaper. but always a willing follower and a
hearty supporter, in every enterprise Or
m after of public Importance; ana this was
done so substantially, and with so much
SOOu StUSc, anu uiCHL. GudG Ho was itil
, to be, the head and shoulders Of the under
} taking. As for positions of honor, AID pre-
ferment, he had no taSte-nO desire for
them. Not at all Indifferent to the estima-
ton or good will of his fellow men. he al
, ways felt that for him, 'sthe post of honor
was the private station" He never held a
position of his own seeking; but i'm defer
ence to the wishes OF his friends and fellow
citizens.
just, fair and comprehensive in his
views. he was the EN- bodment of true
representative of the people; and venture
; the assertion. that had he lived to continue
member ofths House, he would have
! been considered most valuable member of
any committee belonging to it.
AS citizen, he was enterprsing, faithful
charitable, benevolent and prom pit in all the
) relations of life. Without disposition to
hunt up charities, it was generally under
stood that he was willing and liberal con-
, tributor to all charitable purposes. The
distressed and the needy were not forgotten
nor turned away empty" Not mem Der
OF any church, he gave Systematically aud
liDerally to the cause of religion.
AS "A friend, he was generous, pathetic
ana genial though undemonstratve. AL
ways thoughtful meditative and often tact
turn, he was not usually easily approached
by strangers; but with friend, he was tree
easy, com panionable, pleasant. He was
slow to form friendships but once formed
they We're never broken-they grew and
strengthened with time. He was an excellent
Judge OF meR, and a close and wise observer
: OF everything that came within the range
OF MS observation. L question If there was
member of this House, after the adjourn
ment of last session, who could have given
a more elaborate and detailed account
ofits operations in every department than he
AS a son, he was obedient and outiful
, AS husband and father. he was devoted.
attentive an fond. Bu the climax of his
character was reached and brought out Ia
the closing days of his life. An incurable.
fatal, sudden, disease had developed itself
last year while here. He had availed him
Self OF the best medical advice that America
could sfford. No human skill could arrest
the hand of the destroyer OR provide wav
of escape. ~