Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-05-11

ment of Judah =. Benjamin's death.
During the most eventful years of the
now dead Confederacy's life Benjamin
was the premier, or secretary of state,
and he, Davis and Reagan were |
among the last to part company and
fortunes after irretrievable disaster
came. In many respects Judah L.
Bepjamin's life was a remarkable one,
and no history of this country can be
in whose pages he does not
figure. Like Disraeli Mr.. Bepjam,n
was of Jewish parentage. He was not
an American by birth, but born in
Santo Domingo in 1872. His parents
emigrated to Savannah, Ga, In 1916,
and there the young Benjamin grew
to early manhood, entering Yale col
lege In 1925. In 1881 he removed to
New Orleans, and there commenced
the career that afterwards became so
notable. Taking hw rs his profession
and uniting himself with the Wing
party, it was but few years before he
became distinguished and influential,
both as an advocate and n politician.
Old Wings yet living in Louisiana will
remember the contest In 1852, which
resulted in the election of Mr.. Bcnja-
min to the United States senate. That
he was then only forty years old is
evidence of the rapid progress he had
made In the esteem and confidence of
his party. Shortly after his election
circumstances, not necessary to be
given in detail drew him toward the
Democratic party, and before the eN-
piration of his term he was in active
, aInliation with that party. The party
$ dominated In the Louisiana legislature
and Benjamins reward was reelection
). to the senate. He ranked, fairly, with
, any of the ante.bellum Southern scna-
tors, and had attained prominent posi-
. ton when the stirring days of 1850,
following the election of Lincoln, came.
( There are those yet living who listened
II to and remember his powerful speech
,. In the senate in December, 1850, wher
D. he boldly espoused the cause of seces
/. sion. Events moved quickly then
10 Louisiana and other Southern state
Of seeded, and on February A, 1861, Ben
II jamin walked out of the Unite,
Ia States senate chamber, leaving bebin
n him his allegiance to tn
ID federal government. The Cor
X federacy welcomed him, eagerl
lie enough, and he became suecessivel
encouragement and secretary of wa
In the Davis cabinet, receiving the por
folio of secretary of state in 1862. TIL
'or position he held throughout the wa
rie enjoying the full confidence of Pres
full dent Davis. A born politician and di
, il lomat, his legal training fitted hin
of admirably, for the duties of the pr
ne miershlp. He went down with Il
ur- Confederacy, bidding Davis and Re
er- gan farewell In Georgia, when u
ng little party of fugltives separated as
eos measure of safety. Davis and Reag,
n hoped to reach Texas, aud their fate
of well known. Benjamin's face ~
,as, hopes were seward and he succeede
ern He embarked, from the Florida Goa.
, of In small sailboat, for Nassau. ~
few story Of the voyage, rs he has told
md Is full of stirring incident and sun,
ing. For days the little boat drift,
ayn and at last, nearly starved, Benjam
ave and two comrades were beached
ery- the northern coast of the Baham
tate There he found rest and quiet, and
ong September OF 1865 he went TO Engla
lent aud commenced the practice of law
Gus. London. His ability and reputat
rec served him well, and he rose rapid
cling The fate of war had left him poor,
hem he soon began TO thrive. He wrote
year the newspapers and magazines and
one 1868 published work known TO
puld legal profession AZ "Bepjamln
with Sales" This book brought him
Wow creased reputation and income.
And became queens counsellor, whlcl
nea- the highest rank (save judicial stall
tim In the legal profession In Great Britl
able and for many years has enjoyed all
the practice he wanted, yielding an
fact come that has been stated as h.gl
lrlng 100000 per annum. II Ia proba
ates. that he died worth half million
shed lars, Death came to him Mt Pa
m of last Wednesday night, where II see
dis. he had gone IN quest Of recuperatI
lchts There can be no doubt that he was
thin cere In His advocacy of secession a
per remedy for what he held TO be MOI
'ccv- ern aggression, aud the courage OF
the convictions was superb. Tho Ial
the years Of Ills life, comprising his b,
yIng liant success in England, are perh
sely, most Interesting aud certainly
rease most Instructive ~ they exempl,I
cams hls wonderful ability aud his capa,
the to sarmount obstacles before whicl
into man Of less brain aud nerve must h
pro- succumbed. lie was seventy-two ',
ID OF old, and his death breaks another /
D, Is Ia the steadily shortening chain WI
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