The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-05-07
LETTER FROM WILLIAM.
SKETCH OF HON. J. NJ. HowRY.

/ preston Of my own views and his for a time
ami submit the sketches Of men, prepared ant
| lett III his possession by humble school
master, | forward to-day the following
'of the men Of Mississippi whom l hav,
met and who attracted and arrested my atten-
| tention, ] can remember no one who made anf
left on my mind deeper impression than did
! HON. JAMES NJ. HowRY.
| Living in oxford, in North Mississippi
Judge Howry was unknown to me Tor some
time after | had been in the State, for the
/ simple reason that ] was nearly all the time
in my school, and, when l had vacation rarely
had means 10 spare in travelling to points
where | would meet men of the standing and
character OF Judge Howry. 1 said he was
unknown to me. That is not strictly true.
mean personally known. His public services
and reputation were well known to all who
read current Literature, or who had a respect
able knowledge Of affairs in Mississippi, at the
time ! entered the State / think the first
time | ever him he was 4 member Of the
Mississippi Senate, but l did not speak to him
| Among the body of men making up the Sen
ate there were many men OF mark-indeed a
finer looking set of men, l have rarely
seen, and yet the commanding person, the
magnificent face, the benevolent yet
firm expression, set off by an elegant suit OF
black, fixed him in the attention Of all who
entered the lobby of the Senate Only a few
moments in the chamber gave me no more
than an opportunity to find out from a gage,
who the imposing figure was. Indeed | made
no note Of the members OF the Senate, at the
time, and carried away Judge Howry's image,
a sort OF metal negative, to be developed al
forwards
After the war, at the Dickon House in ack-
son, | met him and was introduced to him by
c. r. Dixon, the proprietor of the hotel.
There was crowd at the hotel for the Grand
Lodge OF Masons was in session. Judge How
rY was the same conspicuous person l had
seen him in the Senate; but | thought he had
care-worn expression My high conception
OF him at first was recalled, as soon as | saw
him, but upon being presented to him, | was
not pleased. He was polite enough, but
thought the attention he gave me was mechan-
zeal, and that he was really then thinking
about matters of more importance than myself.
This Is an unpleasant feeling, as ! know from
experience, and from the conversation of other
humble persons, whom | have observed. Few
men in humble stations. like to be ignored, or
faIl to be recognized. Public men can use no
species OF craft potent to cultivate the fac
ulty and the disposition to give the humblest
citizen a cordial recognition, ut all times.
More frequent meeting with Judge Howry
dispelled the notion | had formed, and taught
me that instead OF being austere or naughty
he Is simplicity itself in his native humility.
| The Judge has had a wonderful lift OF trial
and triumph, the architect as he is OF his OF
his own splendid and long sustained character.
He went to the bar early in life, and, when
quite young man appointed to the bench,
when he began to develop those eminent traits
that make him distinguished. He was Il
great student, and has mind fashioned Tor
legal investigation. In spOsitiOn he Is always
disposed to be kind. but acting under convic-
ton, he Is intexible, and As a Judge, benevo-
lence, tirmness justice, lmpartlallty, urbanIty,
culture, and integrity were tremendously
blended, that the harsh sentences OF the law
fell from him almost pleasantly upon the I'M
happy culprit. OF quick perception, and a
mind active in all respects, points presented by
the bar were decided with singular reference to
precedent, before counsel had read an author
ity. 1t was rarely the case that Judge Howry
held cause for advisement, because OF his
erudition and mental activity. Business was
dispatched with great rapidity and with gen
eral satisfaction.
As | said before Judge Howry was once a
member of the Mississippi State Senate, and
was equal to any duty and the peer OF any
person who may claim a share in the history
OF legislation, at that time. As parliament
tarian-he was always ready, but concealed
his skill by his generous and concIllatory
bearing As a speaker, he was incisive and
severely accurate, rarely availing himself OF
the figures of rhetoric i'll which, however, he
was not deficient. As a debater he was strong
est Very watchful and with such wonderful
activity of mind and rapidity of combination,
that he anticipated the points OF an adversary
and had reply ready before they were pre-
sented Bold in the avowal OF his sentiments,
I I, e, h.A- yx-hg
have listened to Judge Howry, in an exciting
debate not only heard his voice, but could
almost translate the expression of his face and
and the movements of his body, and formulate
them into argument. When the Judge had
reason to believe opposition was factlous, he
became indignant and his bearing was imperi-
Gus. He has the person that seems fitted tor
an Emperor. While his smile warmed and
made glad, his frown was terrible, In short
Judge Howry was born to commando no man
knows better how to obey.
The chief honor of Judge Howrys life, as
| esteem it, is his connection with the State
University He was the first Secretary of the
Board of Trustees and held that office until
removed by military authority. 1t has been
said that Judge Howry did more for our state
University than any other man-realIy than
All men, as men, No father ever watched the
growing strength and beauty OF his child with
more anxious pride than that with which the
Judge watched the young University. It's
splendid faculties and elaborate appointments,
before the war were due mainly to the inter
est sauacity and wisdom of Judge Howry. 1t
seems to me that the present Board OF Trustees
should have painted an elegant portrait OF
Judge Howrv, and suspend it in their council
room.
As a Mason. Judge Howry is among the
LIGHTS of the American Continent. He has
held all the offices known to the institution
and has received all the degrees, in all the va
rious rites. and is quoted as authority IN al
of the American Jurisdictions. Early IN =, NE
he was prominent in the Grand Lodge OF len
nessee. Mississippi Masonry has exhausted
its resources to do him honor, from wnom II
has received so much instruction and dlstlnc-
ton. No one man is necessary to the exls-
tedce of any community that deserves to i've,
vet many fail TO discover how Free Masonry
II Mississippi will survive, in its enterlty, the
loss of Judge Howry. Founded IN oenevo,
1once and love of man, the institution suited
him and challenged and received his warnest
suDnort Fminently social in its character IL
Ut in .Judse Howry prince among compan-
- The records of time will never disclose
10 laads of charity and love done by TINS
oood man. Even his left hand, in all the fuli-
80 ~ three score and ten years, has not learn
"A he lines of light written by his right hand,
- Laarts of sadness. The heart that AMI
This sketch carries indellible inscriptions
traced by that hand
Tu5za Howrv could not be professional
-Y:.;a7ss, He Is too sincere and transparent
d has enemies because the right has enc
mics He has the real affection-loye OF more
-, than auy other man to-day, on MlsslsslP-
:: s,;l He was never Governor OF MlsslsslP-
T; e. much the worse for Mississippi ne
ravar sat in the councils OF the natloh' %
mnch the worse for mankind
This writing may never see the light, Penne1'
M humble call