Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-05-22
A STATESMAN OF THE PAST.
End OF the Picturesque Life Of
Hon. Henry 3. FOote, OF Mis-
sissiDDi.

Foote, for over thirty years a conspicu'
Gus figure in American politics, dioi at
his home, five miles from Nashville,
Wednesday afternoon. At the time OF
mis- death he was only q pensioner upon
the Federal Government in the caparity
of Superintendent Of the recently re-
yiyed United States Mint at New Or.
leans, but thirty years ago he was a Uni.
ted States Senator, and little later Gov
ernor OF Mississippi, having gained that
distinction with so formidable compet-
itor as jefferson Davis. in one OF the
most memorable campaigns Of that day.
Governor Foote was Nirginian by
birth, and Fsuquier county, which gave
the country Chief Justice Marshall, was
the specific place Of his nativity. He
was born September 20, 1900, and
in 1919 was graduated at Washington
College. now Washington and Lee Uni
versi,y. Studying law privately. he was
admitted to practice in 1922, but found
il uphill work, AMI two years later he
removed 10 Tuscumbia, Ala, where he
edited Democratic newspaper. Ala.
hama, however, WAS not his spot, anil In
1926 he passed over 10 Mississippi
There hc plunged into politics with
great ayidity and soon made his mark as
fearless and able speaker, while Ills
contributions 10 the press showed him
to be ~ ready with his pen ~ With his
tongue In lsi7 Mississippi sent him
10 the United States Senate. 1t MAS -
notable period in American history, and
the Senate in which lie made his
maiden speech embraced many men
whose names are written high on the
roll OF American statesmen. Among
those with whom Senator Footc Was
more or less closely associated in the
next few years were Daniel Webster,
Henry Clay, John G. Calhoun, JEmes
Buchanan, Edward Everett, John j.
Crittenden, Robert Y. Haync and tieo.
MacDufiie. His colleague was Jefferson
Davis. (eight years his junior, whom
he antagonized on the floor OF the Sen
ate in the matter OF the Missouri com.
promise. Foote favored and Davis OPP
posed il. They carried their difference
OF opinion before the people as rival
candidates for Governor, and the result
was that Foote was sustained 10y
an election TO that Office. This happened
in 1852 IL was the crowning achieve.
ment Of Governor Foote's life. We next
find him. only two years later. an emi.
grant to California, where he passed
four wears, and then returned O the
scene OF his old triumphs. He settled at
vicksbury in 1858. and in May, 1859, he
spoke against disunion at the Knoxville
Convention. When the war came ON
he went reluctantly with the South and
was made a Senator in the Confederate
Congress. But be was Of no use 20 the
Confederate government, being ever
thorn In the side of the Davis admins.
tration. When peace came he re-enter.
ed the Union ranks and seemed more
at home; but his restless spirit led him
10 roam aoout too much Tor man of bis
age, and the public was quick to discover
that his force WAS spent. One OF his
resting places was Tennessee, where he
made an Intellectual attempt 10 return 10
public lie. and for long while he how.
cred about Washington, where he e.lit.-l
a newspaper Of the old pattern. utter.
esting only on account of his reniiDis-
cences, With which il was filed. Mean.
while he never ceased 10 belabor hi.
old enemy. Jefferson Davis, and il MAS
thought that il was this antagonism thai
threw him into the Republican party.
He was lost TO public view when Prrs,'
dent Hages resurrected him In the n.
pacily OF an Old Line Wing and gave
him The Federal Office which afforded
him bread and meat 10 his last
days aud To the duties of which
he Was quite equal despits his
advanced years. 10 ls4i. belore
he went to Congress, Mr.. Poots wrote
and published q book called TEXAS and
the Texsns," and In 1865 another, en-.
titled "A History of the Secession
struggle" lie Vas an irascible and
pugnsclous man. In the course of his
political lie he had occasion 70 hghi
three due.s and in two Of them be uas
sounded. One 81 tIese vas fought xitb
Pr-ntiss. A youngs'er had perched
hiuseli on q tree 10 see the fun. You
had better come down from there.
sonny" said Prentisa, between sbou,
"my friend Governor Foots 10 firing Q
little wildly this morning" When he
was in the Confederate Congress Q
member from Alabama Vas speaking
when roo,e approached and denounced
him A. a rssczl The Alsbsmisn. With
bowie-kn In hand, lung-d st Foo,e
and might have killed him hsd not srv.
ersl persons rushel 20 the resrns. u
vas then that Foote raised himsrI 10
bis utmost height, and, striking rnslo.
dramatic altitude, exclaimed in stem.
torian tones: Il defy the stsei a the
assa~in." A volume might bs 6lled
with such stories Of bis ebectered lie
He used 20 be called "Hangn,an foot<,"
b-osu-e oi Lis proposai 70 hang Jobn y.
Hale for trea-op.