Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-06-30
A PECULIARLY GIFTED MAN.
Adam L. Bingamsn, a Distinguished
Gentleman in Louisiana
and Mississippi.
The Highest Attributes Of the
Orator Combined with the
Classical Resources Of
the Scholar.


Hon. J. F. Claiborne in Meynier's Louisiana
Biographies.
This distinguished gentleman, once
the leader in the highest social circle
of Louisiana and Mississippi, was born
near Bayou Sara, February IL, 1893
His family were of German extraction
and obtained large grants from the
Spanish authorities. "Fatherland,"
on st, GATHERINGS near Natchez, be-
came their chief residence, and there
they accumulated great wealth.
Adam l.. Bingaman was educated
at Harvard. and contested the first
honor with Edward Everett. On his
return he found himself master of an
extensive plantation and many slaves
He gave himself up to its management
and its attractions. He became
successful planter. star of fashion,
social favorite and a devotee of the
turf. Endowed with a personal mag
netlsm that attracted every one, he
soon secured large following and be-
came the idol of the multitude. But
for the fatal heritage of wealth and
slaves he would, doubtless, have be-
come the foremost man in the South.
west. His person was imposing and
elegant; MS features classic aud ez-
pressive; his manner seductive; his
voice musical and sonorous; his i'm
agination vivid; in fine, he had all
the highest attributes of the orator,
with all the classic resources OF the
scholar.
Like most Southern men of educa>
ton and talents, he was ambitious Of
political distinction. He Otter served
in the Legislature with marked abili-
ty, was the leader CT any party or any
measure he espoused. But, though
he made many efforts, he always failed
to secure higher position. His pass
sion for the turf, and its incidents and
his political opinions, which he was too
honest to compromise, were the draw
backs. He based his political creed
on the doctrines of Henry Clay, and
was, under all reverses, devoted to
that illustrious statesman. This was
enough to keep Colonel Bingaman in a
minority in Mississippi. There we're
occasions when, had he changed
or even modified his opinion or temp
cred his tone or held himself "open to
convictions" he might have vaulted
into the highest positions. He was
often advised, solicited and pressed to
do so by political opponents, but he
chung with inhexible honesty to his
convictions, and saw very inferior and
more plant colleagues monopolize the
honors.
When South Carolina enacted her
ordinance OF notification and courted
antagOnism with Andrew jackson, |
President Of the United States, Colo. |
mel Ringaman sided with the govern
ment in defence Of the Union, but |
would go no farther.
In some vital measure of State
polioy-such as the representation of |
the new OhiOkasaw counties, which |
Mr.. Prentiss and the Wings generally
opposed-he co-operated with the
Democrats, and would have been wei
coined as their leader; but he per
sistently refused to support their
Presidential Lominees.
Before the civil war he had become
financially embarrassed, from promis-
cqols Endorsements in an era of rot.
ten banks and insane speculation, and
the unhappy and ever to be deplored
conflict, and the changes that ensued,
completed his ruin
de had some years pyeTiaosly sur.
rendered Ais hereditary estate, and !
made his residence in an humble
doWicile in an obscure quarter oil
your city.
I met him q few weeks before his
death, apa he told me he had been
compelled to part with his books. He !
referred to them in tremulous accents
and with fearful eyes, as men refer to
the loved and lost. One volume If
the Greek tragedies and the Horace
he had used at Harvard were under
his pillow when he dieai VT
He wee taDilAr With the classics.
read them daily, detained the finest
passages, and would often initiate the
accent, information aud manner Of the h
most i eminent professors and graduates
4 sRall never forget the wealth al i
scholarship he displayed at a dinner
party IN honor Of kdwaFd Everett BY
The late Mr., Sam Davis, of Natchea,
'He Of our richest planters. The
company consisted OF eminent LAWYERS
physicians and divines, who had hona
educated at Harvard, Yale, Dripesf6R /
md William and MsTS, Id Virginia
was the iEpter guest, because, ais
.hossa very young, I was known as
'ae fFienS .,la correspondent of Aley, /;
lnder Everett, a scholar not infeIiST
10 his most illustgiogs brother.
OF course it was the business OF the
evening to draw out the distinguished
guest, Mrs. Davis was a lady OF impe
rial presence, with rare conversational
aud musical gifts. She was tue |
daughter Of the last Of the Spanish
Governors of Natchez When
the superb service Of plate appeared
with the desert, emblazoned with
the arms and heraldic devices
Of her ancestors, Mr.. Everett drifed
into Spanish literature, and held The
table enwrapt by the modulated sweets
ness Of his tones and the spell of his
Ii nninnl.nr NJ. H. - lLN-l - |