The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-04-24
THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR TIL
SENATE.

l
SENATE.
The CAUCUS OF the Democratic men,
bers of the Legislature, held yesterday,
after q very close and jealous contest,
finally settled upon Judge Henry M.
Spofford as the Democratic-Con
tive nominee for the long term Senator
ship.
The other candidates who were voted
for by strong bodies OF supporters were
B r. Jonas and n. L. Gibson, gentle.
men who In all respects would have
fully met the demand Of the Democratic
Conservative citizens for Senator
worthy OF the State and the party.
It is no disparagement Of the claims
and merits of these gentlemen that the
majority vote happened to be cast for
Judge Spofford. Each Of them would
have worthily represented the honor
and interests Of Louisiana In the United
States Senate. All three have records
OF devotion to the principles upon which
the party have been engaged in. the con-
test OF the last ten years, that are un-
blurred by any compromises, conces-
sions or bargains, or deviation from the
straight line OF duty, principle and
honor.
Judge Spofford has been o resolute
and active citizen OF this State for more
than quarter OF century. A native
OF Massachusetts and educated In one
OF the best colleges Of New England, he
emigrated to this State when quite a
young man and settled In the town OF
Shreveport, parish OF Caddo, and en-
barked In the practice OF law. His fine
talents, assiduity and address, soon Sc
cnred him large clientele, and brought
him to the front Of the bar OF that Sec
ton OF the State. Gifted with fine elo-
| cution, an earnest manner and rich voice.
he could not escape the demand for ora
tors OF the first class during the political
excitements and contests Of his day.
A member OF the Wing party In its
palmy days. he was brought forward as
the champion Of the party, and proved
q foeman worthy OF the steel OF the
best defender Of the old Democratic
party In the State.
In the election OF Judges OF the Su-
preme Court by the people In 1854 or
1866, he was chosen as the candidate
from the Red River district, was elected,
aud served for several years In this high
position. No Judge who has occupied a
seat on this bench ever achieved at his
age 80 high reputation for ability
and learning, and for elegance and
force of style. His decisions are
quoted now at our bar as models OF
sound law, striking illustrations and
graceful rhetoric.
When the secession movement began
Judge Spofford identified himself with
the cause of the South, and during the
war proved, In civil positions OF great re-
sponsibility, one of the wisest of coun-
sellers at the head OF the committee OF
safety In this city and as a provost mar
shall.
/ After the war Judge Spofford engaged
in the practice Of law Ia this city with
Judge John A. Campbell. This firm
soon attracted a large practice and
judges Spofford and Campbell assumed
! positions among the leaders OF our bar.
Indeed, there has hardly ever been a
legal firm here which combined 30
much Of legal ability, learning and re-
search, with impressive and forcible
elocution, vigorous powers OF logic and
the other qualifications OF first-class ad.
vocates.
i. The death of his father-in-law, q
wealthy citizan OF Tennessee, leaving a
very complicated estate, requiring con.
slant personal presence and attention,
withdrew Judge Spofford for two OF
three years from business and practice
, | in this city. He never, however, relin-
7 auished his residence, and when he had
, executed the large and difficult trust
! confided to him, he returned to the city
+ investing largely In real estate and re-
Stunning his permanent residence here.
During the last canvass In this State
Judge Spofford bore conspicuous part
} and delivered speeches Of great power
> and effectiveness for Tilden anc
Nichols, in the Northern and Western
parishes.
> He was selected by the Tilden electors
. to bear the electoral result to Washing
D ton, with a view Of securing the SER
vices OF so impressive and able an advo
9 cate OF the honesty and truth OF tina
Q record OF the popular vote Of Louisiana
( Judge Spofford will take rank in thu
4 United States Senate with the ables
e members Of that body. We are sur
i that he will distinguish himself b.
9 the purity and elegance Of the style o
L his addresses, by his assiduity ant
affability, and by the dignity and higl
= tone Of his bearing and sentiments.
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