The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-01-23

r;rht on many a stricken field. He was no
Garnet knight, but nobly won his spurs in
the fair play, and even shock OF fight
Strong in natural abilities, and rich in Gull
ture and accomplishments, he won FOR him
self place in the journalism OF Misslssip'
ri. second to that of no man OF his years
He served with distinction in both houses
of the Legislature. His name has resound-
ed throughout the State that he loved so
, well, and few men filed larger space IN
the public sight, than did William II
Spears. His character ever seemed to me
t like that of the knights OF old, for, blended
, with high courage, there was in il strain
: of chivalric tenderness, which made him
wax in the hands of love or friendship
Proudly erect among the titled and the
great, he always bent in tender pity 10 the
poor, the loxly and the unfortunate. II
has been said death loves a shining
mark" If that be SO even the insatiate
archer should be satisfied, for this time his
shaft has pierced star. A year ago when
he felt the clutch of the dread monster
! ghtening eoldly upon him, Captain
Spears said 10 me, that had
he fallen on the tented fold
or if he could die with his harness on his
back either in the forum or the council
halls of The State, he would be willing 20
answer that fearful roll-call which appals
the stoutest heart. He wished TO live, be-
Iieving that he could do much good for
his people and his State. Alas, his wishes
we're
Like trees that never come TO fruit and
early shed their bloom,
OF vanished hopes and happy smiles
All lost forever more
Like ships that sailed for sunny isles,
But never came to shore.
CHASTITY consumption was upon him, and
painted his cheek with that hectic, which,
budding like the hue OF early youth, bios
SONS only for the grave.
Senators, the generous, high-spirited man
with whom so many of us in this Chamber
have stood side by side, has passed beyond
the purple gates of the list. The weary
soul has hung up the crown of earthly glo-
ry, only to have its brow encircled with a
diaden of supernal brightness, placed by
the hand of divinity itself. Though dead
he is not forgotten, and he will not be- He
| has reared monument to his own fame in
the memories of Mississippians, more
! priceless than sculptured marble, and more
enduring, trust, than monumental brass.
| His epitaph is writ upon the heart of Mis-
! sissippi, in characters OF living light and
there shall glow until he who stitch at
the right hand of God shall come amidst
the war of elements, the wreck of matter
and the crush of worlds, to judge the quick
and the dead"
Mr.. WALKER, of Lauderdale, said:
1t is no easy matter to speak of those we
know not well. had only limited ac-
quaintance with the dead Senator. never
enjoyed a single days association with him
in this Chamber. Last week heard of his
illness and went to his hotel to see him. 1t
was the evening of his departure from this
city. 1t was his final departure. / thought
when felt his fevered hand that 1 saw the |
death glare in his eyes, and the death damp |
upon his brow. He was not my intimate |
acquaintance, and I rarely met him. Twelve |
years ago | made his acquaintance, and was
with him several days. On that occasion |
he did me favor-a personal favor-and |
would hardl listen to hear me thank him |
for that favor. If for nothing else, his mem |
DRY is entitled to so some tribute from me |
even though that tribute be mere leaf.
They say he was talented. believe that |
l know he had one virtue. He was brave
man. He feared death less than dishonor.
And when disturbed he was like the ocean
storm, frenzied and alike strong. But in
the presence OF an object of sympathy,
pity or love he was as tender as the tear
itself. lie was man of acute feeling.
lie enjoyed highly, and suffered intensely.
They say he had some faults; if he had not,
he was not human. He is dead now and l
shall remember his virtues and forget his
faults.
Mr.. HYER, of Marshall, said:
Mr.. President-After listening to the
eloquent and exhaustive remarks of Sena-
fopS ha A.
feel that it would appear as folly did |
attempt to add one dash OF color to the
beautiful picture of a perfect man, which
they between them have built up, finished
and exhibited to us to-day, as exemplified
IN the life of our late brother, VIM. r
Spears. Yet, would feel recreant. did
as one of the older Senators of this body.
allow my voice to remain silent, while /
others, who perhaps knew him not so we'll
re eloquent in endovi lg him with all the
virtues and excellencies of character which
he so well deserved. / then will only add ,,
me remark to what has already been said:
Our friend died martyr to duty. With >
me foot Ia the grave, he came among us tn
Ill his place, and during the Indictment
Veather,r the 9Th Of January, whom the
lorses OF street cars ami hacks we're cara 7
uily stabbed and sheltered from the '
Weather, Senator Spears left his hotel and 7
ent hls feeble steps, supported alone by his i
ane to ms seat III the Senate, in order as a
duty bound, to be present at its orgaui- ]
alton. Twas thus that he utilized his last I
ran hold on life, and extended the frap- a
GENTS OF an exhausted vitality in the ser v
ICE OF the people whom no had loved SO I,
7ell. 00
Mr.. SYKES, OF Lowndes, said: / feel that +
TOO should place flower of remembrance 4
the bier OF the deceased Senator. Hav- =
u been brlgaded with him during the \
ar STAND ready to testify to his prompt I
80 am readiness to answer the roll of !,
aty, and to verify all that has been said =
7 Senators of his courage and braverv |
have met him but seldom since the ratnryD II
peace, bat at each meeting his extended II
and, his genial manner and kindly voice p
sspoka the goodness of the heart that uos 1
ways characteristic Of the brave md fl
lerished dead. A''O m
II was not my pleasure to serve in this Il
III even whole day with the Senator oil
nose death we now lament. and uvbose ol
az yonder Is draped with the symbol ~ m
burning. recall with sadness onr intar 9,
ew on the first day Of the term. when frr n
rev nous he occupied his seat in tbis -
amber. Greeting him after a separs- 4, a.
n Of years, inquired after his health.
zen ne gave me the response, Sykes. INV
eha, think my days on earth are mum.
reo' l am in the last stages of the Inng
ease: l said to him that 1 hoped ne Y:
Z - unaniy Respondent, and that soon his
ilth would return. In few moments r.
NeVer, ne left his seat to appear no "a.
ne IN 1t. Then it was that his last words IN
me were the echoes from the chamber ,a'
ira