The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-10-25
GOV. J, NJ. STONE.
A Mistake of Some Men as to the Kind
of Man He is.


tClODcI lOlu, lSiJ-
TO the Editor OF the Comet
We are very often mistaken in our esti
mate of men, and are too apt TO yacate tn
sound principles of read inquiry, when W,
consider men. Comparisons are odious
always, to one of the parties compared
and, therefore, | will make no comparison
| will merely cite an example.
In the State of Mississippi yon have a
Governor who is more un,iorrated than any
man | have knoHn Apologies are fire.
quently made by those who assume to
speak Of him, by saying. ''if Gov. Stone
had been educated he would have made a
very considerable man l1actly what one
means by educated, is sometimes difficult to
determine from current phraseology Ed>
ucation is the development of natural en-
dowments, and, when a person passes
through character of training which does
that thing, he is educated. lie may not
have varied and extensive knowladge. lie
may never have mntyicGlutcd in a college or
graduated from one but he is educated if
his mind is developed and he has control of
his powers in all their ripauess and matu>
rity. John NJ. Stone is an educated man,
and exhibits eyidruces of the fact every
day of his life, especially III every act that
requires the sound Judgment oI Il severely
trained mind. | havo often, since have
been in Texas, heard the expression, made
in the beginning of this letter, and it does
the distinguishes eea'IeGa4 uan,ed great
Of matter w..tHow nothing eI-
cept from pbenomena. Tho sane is true
of mind. Taking, then, the history -o.f
Gov. Stone, we must look ia 4e exhibitions
Of his mind in the expression of his views,
and in official action and deliveranco, and
see if they result from cultivated or from
intellect
When the war between the Stakes broke
out, John NJ. Stone was quiet, discreet
and thoughtful agent of the Memphis ana
Charleston Railroad, at Iuka. He volun~
eered and was chosen a Lieutenant, and
.hen Captain. Subsequently he was elect
I'd Colonel OF his +, giment, and command
ID his brigade in some Of the bloodlest en-
,agements of the war. 1t may he safely
asserted that no man, from Gen, Lee down, |
Won more reputation, mMtatis mNtaDdjS, |
han did Col. j. NJ. Stone. Calm and cool |
N the field of battle, he directed others
nd governed himself with the prudent |
ourage that is the offspring Of a we'll,
oised and trained intellect, animated by |
entiments of the very loftiest type. lie |
assed through the war aud laid down
is sword, regarded by those who shared his
arils, as a horo--a cheyaicr Bayard
When the war had ended, Col. Stone
,unt quietly back to the station house at
uka, and to the discharge of his duties
here, with the same severe accuracy that
his military career. He had
owever, exhibited powers, capacities and
ossihihties that challenged the attention of
is people, and they elected him to the
tate Senate at a time when q wise man WAS
reded. He proved himself, amid all the
I'D passions and all the bad men of his
rst term of service. tue 10 his people,
nd power in restraining reckless legisla-
on by thu. party he opposed, He proved I"
e wise uan.
Ia the progress of events he became Gov
ruur. nnd in every situation IN which the
Executive office has placed him, hc has eN-
ihited the rarest courage prudence, and
bilily. Notably in the kemper tragedy, he
m be- seen MS the most saFaciaus officer.
r. is not carried about by eriea of blood OF
lame ON the one hand. NOR 10y vengeance
II the other. He is fuI the right, and takes
are tu see and TO know vi hat Is the right
instead Of rules. learned from books. he
ary,s ont rules that will make books. His
mud. vigorous and strong. has been train
4 &C. think accurately, and scizes a subject
Q sot If facts with skilled effort, and out
/ the exercise Is evolved principles found /
o the hooks. whether the Governor discov-
rad them there or read them IN nature and
D man. lie has read many more books
lnu be has credit for reading very many
iore than some people VINO c0mmisserate
Is want of education flr5 messages tu
10 Legislature arc clothed iu lhe isrsesi /
ll finest English, ana bis private corres>
,ndene furnishes specimens ai epIsioiary
nung. grnceful ut easy. o. th'se #
uI- aud ,1aPeI.
rtton a. O spccimon 81 ia9lesl and o.. I
,.-liva raaniur, ~ lsie pamIiiiicl on ibe I
harr, psskot Veto Riii is aaianf a.
oisst ~ p tha, " a-asipia p,aii Ia