The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1877-01-31
Remarks of Hon. q. NJ. Lester

Mr.. SPEAKER: In arising to second the
motion to adopt the preamble and resolu
lions lust submitted, | should feel that L
had failed to perform duty that | owe to
myself TO this House, and to the people
whom represent, did not say something
relative to the life, character and services
of the distinguished subject OF those reooiu-
lions And in attempting to do 'hls, when
j. To me one of the Saddest duties OF my
life let it not be supposed that 1t Is my
purpose to indulge in the trite and stereo-
type phrases of tine eulogist, put 10 state
plain, simple facts, truths, which always
constitute the highest tribute that can be
paid TO the memory of a true and tired
| friend. Though it is hard TO reahZe the
fact vet il i true that William X. BARK
dale is dead but he needs no euiogy at my
| hands TO pcrpetuate his memory. Amid the
| sadness and gloom, however, that over
/ shadow now in commemoratinS Ills
death, It should not be forgotten That MS
! tory requires some record OF his lie, ana TO
| that it is my purpose now to contribute.
| He was born in Iauderdale county, IN the
State of Alabama, on the 18th day OF April,
| A. D. 1891 and died at his residence in the
| town of Grenada, IN GRENADA county, MIS-
/ sissippi, on the 10Th day of January, A. D.
! 1877, and was therefore. at the time of ms
death ~ years 5 months and IA Gays OF
age, just entering the period OF MS Iuli
manhood. In his infancy his father moved
with his family from Alabama 10 the oldte
of Mississippi, and settled in alobusha
county and in that county he was raised
and passed most of his life. His early, or
| boVhoOd lite, was passed NANNY on tue
| farm and the foundation of what, III MS
| sub.eoucnt life became finished educa-
ton aud ripe scholarship, was laid IN what
il known as the old field schools OF that
day. these nurseries of so many OF tue
b ivhtest intellects that adorn the history OF
This state. In early life he manifested a
decided fondness for books, ana, deVotng
his time To study, soon began TO give eVl7
dence of that innate strength OF mlhu
which marked his maturer years. AFTER M
isIinr his preparatory or academic course
of study he, when vet but a boy, entered
the University of Mississippi, when the late
Judge Iou0sLreet was President OF thaC 1u-
stitution. and graduated with the honoTs OF
his class in July, 1850. 1t was at the Uni
ver.itv | first knew and learned TO apprecl-
ate him as one combining not only the ele-
ements of a great mind, but also the quall-
ties of a devoted friend whist nature mao
denied him strong physlcai ''i on
| she had in other respects bestowed mel
gifts with no stinted hand. With mind
naturally strong aud brlghs as DuF4ish-
ed steel to guide and direct MN
he had the moral courage, the
; nerve and the manhood always to de
nounce the wrong and TO dare ana uo
, whatever his conscience dictated 10 0t
right. Having taken his degree IN tht
University, he passed into the lacultS
where he served for a time IN the capacity
cf teacher, and then entered the Law De-
partmenC 0t that institution, then IN charS
of Prof w. + Storms, and graduated II
2 the law, after having taken the fuii course
reouired i'm July, \. D., 1909, anu At ouc'
? andraged in the practice of the law at Cot
feeyiIIe the county site of alo0u>ha coul'
! tv He and the lamented Francis NJ. AlG
ridge were the delegates from 1aioouSh'
c county in the state Convention ina
. odnnted the Ordinance of Secession. Boil
: showed their faith by their works ana OF
+ tered their lives to sustain 1t. Aldrldge lei
{ at the battle OF Shiloh-Bark sdale IlVed &
7 share with his people the fortunes ol III
j ~ Lost Cause" | first met him IN the army
/, as Adiutant- General, on the San OF zen
q Winfield ) FeatherstOn, In whose DrlSad
II it was my good fortune TO serve. 1heIe
u saw him almost every day, ana whethe
seen in camp, on the march OF a., -
X | was the same infieXible. unylelding anu az
II dent advocate and supporter OF the cause II
e had espoused and believed 10 DC re ~
# combining as he did, the qualities OF tru
n soldier and effective officer; ne was see - !
I, riUid and exacting in the discharge OF III
q Duties but always kind and courteous, an
d when others about him were suffering an
e in want his noble heart, liberal mana an'
It strong sympathetic nature pT0npteSI nm :
d contribute to their relief. He endeaFoFe
]. always to emper justice with mercy anu
z meet suffering with relief. 1hese quail Lt
lie the sure induces of the great ana goo
T. man. could not have failed to make MN III! VI
Il Eet and favorite of the command Ills q
n reer as a soldier closed with the oattIe
lie Franklin, Tenn, where he received sever
wound, from the effects of which ne Glu u.
recover until the war had terminates. -
fine close of the war in 1865, he resumed ti
% practice of the law at Cotfeeville, ana WI
- | elected TO the office of District-Attorhey
- what was then known as the Terth y ndlcl
- District Of the State. In this office ne soc
- developed into one OF the first and apleS
70 public prosecutors in the State. Early
- 1856 il was my pleasure and good fortut
= tn become associated with him in the pra
tice of law, which association, or partne
~ ship. continued without interruption I,
: the formation of Grenada county, when
~ changed his location to the town OF Gren
T. da. the county site OF that county unity ne ",
re there all my impressions OF m
"a found fullest confirmation. A finlsh'
a. scholar, learned and profound w RaMIIysr'
et Rarksdale- Asa public prosecutor he kne
IL no man and yielded to no influence exec
~, that which controls the honest and falthi
nv officer in the discharge Of his pnolle iun