The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1877-01-31

MEMORIAL SERVICES.
The Late VIM R. Barksl,.l
I'm the House o. EEepreseR TIA tives,
SVedn esdny. Jan. "a, 1877.
Speech of Hon. u. G. Hall.

Mr. SPEAKER: - would be false to my
self, and false to the memory OF tire illus
trious dead, if should permit this occasion
to pass without paying some tribute to the
patriot and statesman whose loss Is to-day |
so sadly and forcibly impressed upon our
minds and hearts. Sir, when the wires
flashed 10 this body intelli genee of the death |
of William r Barksdae, they brought TO
me something more than the sorrow which
fills the minds of a people when one OF
Their trusted leaders is stricken ~ death
and it is not as public man, AS states
man, or as mere lawyer and orator that |
would speak of him. Let others wreathe
faurels about the marble Shaft watch shall
bear his name and tell his life; only drop
upon his new made grave the simple ivy
leaf. fit Elm blem of a friendship which clings
with faithful tenacity to his memory. lie
was my friend. Reared in the same county
where most of his life was spent. familiar
with the associations which gathered
around hfs early days; watching his bril-
liant career as he went coward and up
ward :" and, of late years, associated with
him in warm and friendly intercourse, anu
seeing him in the learned professional which
he was an honored mem Der, | had learned
not only to know and admire the splendid
| capacities of the man, but TO appreciate aad
| love that inner life which made his heart
| the home of warm aud generous emotions,
| and his bearing noble, uprie hit and true.
| may be truly said that the real nature
| of our deceased associate was only known
and appreciated by those who enjoyed init
mate intercourse with him Indeed. he was
not unfrequently thought, by those who did
| not know him well, Co be cold and distant.
Never was there a greater mistake. His
scholarly habits, his absorbing interest In
| his profession, his Intellectual intensity, all
combined to prevent the cultivation OF many
! friendships; but the limited number who
In hi no
drawn to his heart with hooks of steel; p"
for beneath the polished exterior OF the
LAWYER and scholarly man, there lay great
heart throbbing with noble emotions and
going out in sympathy and kindness
to every object worthy OF is regard.
1t was this which made him ten
der husband, a devoted fathel, the very
sun and centre of happy domestic
circle, the genial companion and
answering friend of those who knew and
loved him so well. Especially, Mr.. Speak
er, do remember, as | have just cause to
do, the proof which he ever gave OF his in
nate kindness of heart by his treatment OF
the Younger members of the profession OF
which he was himself so brilliant and dis
tinguished an ornament; and here, from
nv place on this floor, and as a lawyer
Younger than he, | DESIRE for myself and
Others who have felt the stimulus Of his
kindly ordI, to pay tribute to that good
ness which never refused us Il smile, or a
word OF encourage Wien our neeu OF
cheer was sOres5. Such believe to be the
feeling of the junior members Of the bar
not only where he lived, but throughout the
entire section where he achieved SD much
legal and forensic fame. To them he was
: never cold and never Indifferent; but while
aching with one hand to the heights
above him, with the other he sought &c
, raise and draw after him those whose youth
and inexperience made their progress III
| r cto of ia
: more difficult than his With all such, his
memory, redolent of the perfume Of kindly
words and kindlier deeds, shall remain tc
be sacredly and tenderly cherished.
| Yet another evidence OF the true, wa rm
| heart which beat in the bosom of him
whom we now mourn, is found in the affec-
g tionate esteem in which he was held by the
people whose public servant he was.
e Sir, it has been said that
They who ascend the mountain tops shall
find
: The Hottest peaks most wrapped in cloud
! and snow;
They who would conquer or subdue man
/ kind,
Must look down on the hate Of those below
But it was not so with William X. Banks
dale. Though he had already attained
t heights from which he might have looked
!. down upon his humber fellow citizens, n,
false pride dmmed the lustre of his char
5 acter, and no hauteur clouded the bright
!, ness of his career. jealousy guarding tn
L rights of those who trusted him, CAREFUL,
8 connecting to all courteous consideration
:. he disarmed suspicion, secured respectful
3 regard, and held to the last place in TIL
e affections OF his countrymen They kuev
. his reserve to be that of the scholar ant
statesman, not that of a naughty and AFRO
g giant spirit; and when he died, from ever,
hill and dale there poured forth livin'
/ stream of people, sad-eyed and heavy heart
e ed, to look their last upon the face of him
. who in life had been their trusted leader
d tn ,r tried friend, the watchful guardian o
q their dearest rights.
Untimely fate! Struck down in the full
u meridian Of a glorious manhood, with al
a Ibis bushing honors thick about him,
he lies the prey of the tomb. 1t is anothe
IS solemn warning to us who linger.
e "Leaves have their time to fall,
:. And flowers to wither at the north wind
Il breath,
d And stars to pale; but ALL
Thou hast all seasons for thine own, oil
e death !"
( But come when it may, to whom it m ay
. it shall not come to more gallant spirit,
~ nobler heart, a truer nature, a more bril-
= liant mind, more sincere, honest, uprigh
gentleman than William r. Barksdale
His fame is part of the history four State
Is On her historic page, and minging wit
= the traditions of her people, it shall g
- 'down the ringing grooves of times" an
e in the hearts Of those who knew him here
J. there shall ever be spot green with tn
Is the memory of other days, and Barksdae'
It name perennially shall blossom there
Peace to his ashes! Let US believe that hi
= spirit has winged its flight to that brigh
= cline
y sWhere Love shall put off, in the land of it
- birth,
Il The stains it had gathered in this,
% And Hope, the sweet singer that gladdene
. the earth,
Lies asleep on the bosom of Bliss"