The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-06-27
Tuesday June 81. 1884,
MIRABEAU b. LAMAR.

IN. If the most interesting characters IN
Southern history is the late Mlrabeau b. La
mar who. lust As years ago was president OF
T.x.s then the "Lone Star Republic" we
believe he was uncle of the present eminent
and able u. S. senator from Mississippi. lie
had previously occupied in the government OF
Texas the highest positions, was 'hen, We
.h,l secretery of state, and the lofty and un-
selfish instincts of his character had MADE h'in
vsrv nopular. As the campaign of 1887 aP
,roscbed it became evident that he was
marked man for the presidency. "hile I'M
PEELED by an irresistible love OF fame 10 lei
greatness be thrust upon him, ne yet shrank
from the moral responsibilities of office. Al
though brave as lion in battle, and soldier
IN the Texas revolutionary war of the highest
distinction, he was yet SO overthoughtiul ana
conscientious in the discharge of his civil du-
ties as to feel habitually oppressed with their
cares.
When the agitation of his name for presi-
dent was threatened, he left Texas and spent
the summer of that year as guest OF the MOT
gan family in Mobile, Ala. 1t was season
Of epidemic. With population OF about ten
thousand Mobile buried from 20 to 80 yelio"
fever dead day. The General was an acu'e
missionary among the sick, peri rmlng with
equal diligence and success the parts OF physi-
clan. priest and nurse. Many patient was
saved by his care and skill and many dying
bed consoled by his ministrations.
He had then just passed the forty mile
stone ON the road of life; was bronzed with ex-
posure, bore somewhat careworn expression
Of face. which was model for Rembrandt
q, Murillo, and his speech and action, while
always eloquent and firm, denoted an exceed
ing susceptibility to nervous agitation 1t was
The sympathy Of great soul for his race ne
v,s about FIVE feet nine inches in height, ye
from his massive chest and general broae
build. seemed less. His long, dark, thick
shaggy hair fell upon his heavy shoulders an'
.,ve one seeing him the impression OF but
falo. When not occupied in the duties t.
(Which ne was self-assigned in Mobile, h
might be seen evenings walking on Governmen
street. sometimes with friend or TRENDS. ou
more often alone, absorbed in meditation an
apparently unmindful of everything aroun
him-even passing funeral. Yet he kept
an enormous correspondence, chiefly on sta
affairs. and, when unavoidable, his mediate
campaign for the Presidential office.
He was elected over his competition"
forge, who, perhaps Gen. Burnett,-on his =
turn home in the ensuing fall, and BEGAN
President of Texas. The freshness OF h
youth was yet in bloom. Such President
was not, one would think, much OF cauldr(
where human passions seetne and boil, but
quiet, dienifed post of honor. Yet the bra
and gifted Lamar felt that something had be-
lost to him in welding its authority. 1t wa
perhaps, but morbid sensbility to the fe
that he would have erred. He was, afterwa
more than ever, given habitually to hts
meditation. Probably no great functions
every administered the duties of an office wi
more parfect freedom from any cause OF Sc
censure or indeed. from mistake, bnt he +
aware Of having in some way suffered Sc
depreciation. "No man" he afterward Sc
to the writer, sever assumed public office a
laid down its authority no worse tor havl
exercised it," brief sentence, but suggest
Of volumes to the philanthropist and histor
Nothing would have induced him again to
cept public office.
Lamar has long since passed away-e'
his great eminence has fallen into obiivl
But he has left behind him few men so gif
or SO pure so sincere lovers Of their race
so devoted to duty, so scrupulous in
exercise of power or so spotless in integrit
SO truly great. The country would be be
for il if his memory could be shrined WI
il might ever remain an iIlustrious example
its public men.
Late reports are that Mr.. Jas. P. Neweo'
EDITOR of the EVENING LIGHT has been
nointed postmaster at San Antonio.
Sewcomb is a square-toed republican,
his consistent out spoken course has won
b;n, the respect of even his political OF
nep.s. The appointment is a just reward
faithful seevice, and Mr.. Newcomo Is e
congratulated upon his good luck.-lkeg'