The star of Pascagoula. [volume] (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1873-1878, 1877-01-19

On sh~ ssh less~ss M tssu.- - Hep
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resolutions N se~pscs W ths msznosj
NJ sus ISs~ hIshiy sssssmsd ssAisss. y
M. MoIsss@. Dr. ". y. fisfHs delivered
before INST body The icIIcvisg jass snd
m~Thsd rsmsrks'
Mn srxAxsa. Befcss Tho sdopsion
ef these resolutions 1 desire Va. submit
lev bsisf remarks on ths hfs end
cbsssoses of the subjscf of them - the
Hon, John N. Mcfnnis. The short
time wbich hss inssfvensd sinoe the 5D-
PRODUCTION of tbem has rendered 10 I'm
possible for mo 10 prepare something
mora slsborsss sud better digssssd,
which otherwise woaId have taken
great pleasure in doing.
Sir, I beg yonr indnigence and shat
a this House while read what have
10 say, AZ I sm not In the habit Of MAX
iuo spsechss, and Id this case have
a, osen 10 risk the charge Of an attempt
at display rather than not say what 1
could not without . manuscript
Ii 10 with great difiidence that / assay
To speak on this occasion; bat there are
two reasons which impel me. and |
would be recreant to dnty were to fail
TO do 90. The fifst is: that ! am bis
Immediate successor, and am to-day oc-
cupyipg the seat made vacant BY the
relentless hand Of death. TO I'LL out his
nuerpirsd term OF Office. The next and
greater reason iss that he was the friend
and companion Of my boyhood and
youth, For nearly fve years We sat be-
side each other in the scbool.room and
wandered through the groves snd over
the pine-clad hills OF our Southern
forests.
In riper years We have travelled lffe's
checkered Journey along nearly rarallel
and adjacent roads; for we have lived
friends and neighbors and followed the
came avocations Ia life. There may be
those in this House; who are wondering
what can be said commendatory OF the
life and character Of the modest, quiet,
reticent member who occupied this seat
during the long session OF last year.
Would that had the time and the Abii-
ity TO analyze his character and spread
out his virtues before you; then oil
could look on them, admire them, and
love them, for assure you that come
not as a mere panegyrist 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 although his ancestors for two gen.
erations were born in this country he
was OF as pure Scotch blood as ever
coursed the veins of Bruce or Q Wal
lace. He was brought up under the
plain, stern and rigid morality Of Scotch
He took his aca-
dernic course at the once famous Salem
High School, In his native county. and
his collegiate course at Oakland College.
He had iust fairly commenced life as a
business man at tho beginning OF the
late war, when. in obedience to his
call, be shouldered his mnsket
and vent to the front.
Throughout that contest he was
faithful, brave soldier, and the close of
the war found him prisoner on John
sons Island. Since that time he has
been constantly, assiduously and sue
cessfully employed in the manufacture
81 lumber. In 1875, contrary to bis
own wishes, but in Difference to the
wishes OF his friends, he consented to
become candidate for the Legislature,
and was elected q member OF this House.
John NJ. McInnis was no ordinary
man. Educated, without being learned.
he possessed mind capable of master
ing almost any subject with which 1t
came in contact. A mind that was vig-
orous, penetrating, broad and compre-
hehsive in all its operations. AS bus
mess man he was success, having se-
cured competency within the last ten
years. THIS was accomplished by no
chance or luck, but by his inherent bus
mess capacity, close application and in
dustry. l would not attempt to esti-
mate or measure him merely by bis suc-
cess as q business mani this IN my
opinion is false standard, erected by
men generally, by which to judge their
There are other and more
noble characteristics by which ! would
have him estimated. Modest and re-
served he was never leader, but always
q willing follower and hearty sup.
porter 10 every enterprise or matter OF
,ublic importance, and this was done so
substantially, and with so much good
sense and Judgment, that he was felt to
be the head and shoulders Of the under
taking. As for positions of honor and
prefernrent he had no taste--no desire
for them. Not at all indifferent TO the
estimation or goodwill OF his fellow.
men. he always felt that for him ''the
post Of honor was the private station"
He never held position OF his own
seeking, but In Difference to the wishes
of his friends and fellow-citizens.
just, fair and Comprehensive in his
views, he was the embodiment OF Q true
representative Of the people; and ven
ture the assertion that had he lived to
continue . member of this House he
would have been considered Q most
valuable member of any comthittee De-
longing TO IL.
ks Z citiaen he was ertefprisfng.
faithful charitable. benevolent. and
prompt in sll the relations OF lie.
without disposition 10 hunt up chafi-
ties il was generally understood that ne
vas 4 willing and liberal contributor to
ali charitable purposes. The distressed
and the needy we're not forgotten nor
ssturned away empty" Not member
of auy church, he gave IS stematicsiiy
.ud liharafiv fo the CaueD of religion,