The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-03-25
Written for the FLoRIDrANI
Brief Sketches Of DistAnGutShe ed
Statesmen Of TO-day-NO. 4.
j. T. FITZGERALD.
Hon. Charles W. Jones' United States Senator
from F7Orda.


Hon. C.. W. Jones, the senOr Senator from
Florida is in his fitch year. having been born
in Ireland in 1894 His father, Surgeon in the
British army, was highly educated and accom-
pIished gentleman, and his mother an Irish lady
Upon the death of Doctor Jones his widow
brought her yonng sons to America, and some
years later the subject OF this SKETCH having de-
cided 10 embrace The profession of law, but be-
ing of proud and independent spirit, and un-
willing to burden widowed mother in any way,
became for the time being an artisan, thus sup
porting himself entirely whilst pursuing his e-
gal studies
One of the greatest OF the heather philoso
pliers has said, " A good man struggling against
the capricious humors of fortune, is sight wor-
thy of God" and to my mind, II there is
thing that commands the admiration OF MANKIND
IL is to see man of native genius. man en-
dUwed with rare and high order OF intellectual
strength, rise without the opportunities that
wealth affords for the cultivation of talent, TO a
height OF eminence and distinction, by the power
of his own unaided efforts and indomltabe Will
Mr.. Jones was admitted to the bar, and en-
tered upon his professional career in 1857, in
Pensacola, Florida.
In 1872 he was sent as delegate to the Ma
tiOnal Democratic Convention at Baltimore. In
1874 he was elected Representative to the Leg
isature of the State of Florida, and the same
year he was also elected to the United States
Senate, taking his seat ON March 4th, 1875. He
was reelected in. 1881 Few can be found that
combine in a greater degree such profound
knowledge of Jurisprudence, with all the qualifi
cations essential to thorough craftsmanship.
clear thinker and far seeing, his views on all
subjects are broad, bold and conservative, and
though adhering strongly to the principles of
sound democracy neither sectional hate nor the
bitterness usually resulting from party strife
seem to have found Judgment in his noble heart ;
nor does he allow himself TO be deceived by the
seductive influences which too often warp the
judgment of public men.
He is one of the few American Statesmen of
to-day who in moments OF public peril exhibit
genuine and enlarged patriotism who can rise
above the passions of the hour, and exert him
self to solve peacefully and honorably the politi-
cal problems which present themselves
During debate in former Congress, he said
once, " know, Mr.. President, tina, party feeling
has had too much to do with the legislation
of this country No one regrets it more than |
do. l admit that am party man, but think
there are times, and there are occasions when |
can lay aside my party feelings, and do justice to
every man that disagrees with me in political opn-
ion and regret above everything else to see that
this bitterness OF party strife has so Incorporated
itself with everything connected with the legis-
atOn of this country us to prevent any measure
from going through either House of Congress
that is not classified as a party measure Why,
sir we are going behind the nations of the world
in this respect. We are arrayed against
each other 10y spirit of fanaticsm, which, being
driven from every country in Europe, has found
refuge here; and we precipitale ourselves upon
each other in these encounters of partisan hos
Utility, in which or country, bleeding and laccra-
ted, is trampled Under foot"
He is not, perhaps, a very patient or pains
taking routine worker, it being naturally difficult
Tor mind like his to descend to things of little
moment; but when questions arise of sufficient
magnitude to call forth his great ability, it is
then that he proves himself the wise and judi
ciOus legislator.
Occupying, az he now does the highest posi-
lion in this country TO which citizen of foreign
birth can aspire, his even and digntcd course in
the Senate commands alike the respect Of both
his friends and political opponents; nor does he
purchase his popularity by the least sacrifice or
compromise OF principle.
AS an orator he holds place in the front rank
He rarely INDUCES in flowers of rhetoric, nor
does he cultivate to any extent what may be
termed the poetry OF language, but he Is always
ready OF speech, and has at command flow of
/ good and substantial English, his speeches being
marked by certain vgor and originality OF
thought and expression characteristic of the
strength and depth Of his naturally inductive
miad.s Though always calm and dispassionate
| never indulgng in acrimonious remarks and
always according to others the courteous indul
gence which he claims for himself.
But tie Senate Chamber is not the scene of his
most brllant oratorical efforts, and on occasions
! OF his varitns addresses and public speeches de-
| lvered throughout the country he has received
most flatterrg compliments from high and i'm
partial source
His addresses d'livered on the occasion of the
wooster Centennial Celebration" and at the
| Celeoratlon OF 'hc Anniversary of IRISH I..ur-
pendence, are regarded as models of substantial
| English Orat0ry
And what American heart, at least what
Democratic American heart, can fail to thrill
| with patriotism upon reading his .JeffersOnan
| Democracy" | nav be pardOned one or two
brei extracts " the distress which afflicted the
| people, and which vas the inevitable result of
| pr0tracted war; was used as an argument against
the right OF man 10 govern himself, and by men
who had fought in the revolution, not so much
Tor real liberty as for separation and independ-
cnce. These advocates Of strong government,
instead OF honestly pointing out the true cause of
existing evils, and reconciling the people To them
made them pretext for diminishing the authority
OF the masses and strengthening the powers of
government But thank God this project was dis
covered, exposed anC frustrated. The watchful
care of the Almighty, which had guarded and
carried tins people through the fiery ordeal of
the revolution, gave TO them a counsellor and a
sentinel who stood almost alone on the watch
towers OF public freedom with flaming sword in
hand, 10 beat back the nsidious enemies who
sought to subvert and destroy the citadel of true
popular government. Is it necessary for me TO
d
son, whose fortunate birth we this night ccle-
brate? And oh when | contemplate the lofty
dlslnterestednesS and devotion to the people
which he displayed at his junc,urc in our his
t"ry-when, instead of combating foreign des-
pots and tyrants, he was engaged in cutching
from domestic enemies the precious jewles of our
liberty feel that could 60 to his lonely grave
on the side of the Blue Ridge, and in the pres
ence OF his sacred dust offer up my thanks to
heaven that so great a public bcnefacior was
given to this people \ Oh, how
happy would it have been for this people if the
principles and spirit of this great patriot could
have continued to control TO the present time
the administration of our government But let
US not complain after all that has been accom-
pllshed and while we are compelled to admit
that our great fabric of freedom has long since
been forced from the orbit in which Jefferson
left il, it is yet permitted to labor for partial
ii not a full recognition of the principles which
he has left as an Inheritance TO the Democracy
OF the United States. Let us also remember that
while other political organizations have risen and
disappeared from time to time because there
were no settled principles behind them, the
Democratic party-the party Of Jefferson and
the CONSTITUTIONS yet the same in principle
and purpose as when it was formed by its great
founder. 1t is true we often charged with
being BOurbOns-a common expression with
those who are ever ready to shift their faith with
every little fuctuation of opinion that takes place
among portion of the people, and, while they
lmpute to US an unwilngness to learn anything
show every day by their own conduct that all
their knowledge does for them is to produce that
unhappy confusion of mind which causes them
to measure their depth by their darkness and