Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-05-26
SENATOR HARRIS.
A Representative Man of the
Times and the Country.
Washington Sunday Chronicle.

every day, may be seen the tall, well
proportioned, active body of the senio
Senator from Tennessee, Hon. Ishar
G. Harris. His years do not make
showing upon his robust body, and
it were not for the frosted hairs hi
manly face would be taken as belong
ing to one of the youngest member
of the body.
.Isham Green Harris, son Of Ishau
and Lucy Harris, was born in Frank
lin county, Tennessee, and was edu
Gated at Winchester Academy. Com
plotting his legal studies, he wa
admitted to the bar and began prac
tice at Paris, in his native State, il
lS4l, and soon became prominent il
the counsels and campaigns Of the
Democratic party. He was elected t
the State Legislature in 1847, and wal
Presidential Elector on his party
ticket in the Ninth Congressiona
District the following year. In 1915
he was elected as a Democrat to Con.
gress and reelected in 1851; but de.
clined the proffered denomination in
1853, preferringt to resume his practice
and removing to Memphis for that
purpose. In 1856 he was Presidential
Eelector for the State at large, and
the following year was by the Demo
Gratis elected Governor of Tennessee,
and twice thereafter elected to sue
ceeding terms.
A friend in speaking of Governor
Harris administration says, there
never was a more satisfactory one MOI
a more popular man, nor an admins.
tration in which the interests of a
great State were more ably cared for
or its laws more faithfully executed
During the last three years of the
war Governor Harris was a volunteer
aid upon the staff Of the Commanding
General of the Confederate army OF
Tennessee. and at the close Of the wal
resumed the practice of law at Mem
phis, only ceasing its active pursuit to
take his place in the United States
Senate, to which he was elected as a
Democrat, taking his seat March 5,
1877.
In the present session Senator Har-
ris is on the Finance Committee, on
that for the District OF Columbia, on
the Select Committee on the Census,
and is chairman Of the Select Com
mittee to Investigate the introduction
and spread of epidemic diseases-all
among the most practically important
in the Senate, and in all Of which
Senator Harris is active and jealous
in his care for the interests Of the
whole people, and his counsels treated
with dignifed respect.
Nearly half a century spent in pub
lie life has filled his history with rich
incidents in the most important era u
the nation. he being almost co-oxistent
with the Democratic party and having
witnessed the grading and growth Of
every other organization now on the
political arena Of the Union.
The assertive makeup of Governor
Harris character is positiveness in
opinion and promptness in action.
Being honest and truthful, and having
the courage to stand by his %convic-
tions, he cannot help being positive.
He has no respect for what the world
calls, in polite parlance, diplomacy
1t is bis nature to be earnest in de-
tense or support. In whatever phase
of his dignifed fortunes-whethcr on
his farm or in his cabinet shop, or in
practicing his profession, or in the
councils Of state, or as a soldier in the
feld-his motto and rule has ever
been, whatever is worth doing at all
is worth doing we'll"
Although a popular and effective
orator on the hustings, he is more re-
markable for his sound, practioa'
advice in council.
With almost intuitive insight int
the motives Of men. and with the sin
gular power to see through a subject
or its surrounding circumstances al
most at a glance, his mind quick!
reaches a conclusion and there 6rml!
plants itself. Being a good Judge o
human nature, he is also possessed o
qualities, both mental and moral
which constitute him a leader of men
hence he would have made a success
full general in the field and a most de
termined and dangerous leader of
revolution.
One oil the secrets of his popularit
consists in the fact that no request
too small, nor the constituents to-
humble, not to receive his attention
and appreciation.
He is true to his friends, and they
are devoted to him. He is bitter il
his antagonisms, but honorable an,
always magnanimous to the fallen.
Another strong characteristic whicl
marks his whole career is his stronI
sense of duty-duty to the public, t
his friends, and to himself. Cherish
ing in his heart this sentiment, ant
acting upon it, and up to it, hi
course. therefore, never excites sur
prise nor creates a feeling of disap
APPOINTMENT among his associates.