The clarion., 1885-02-04
A Fellow Soldier Seconds the Mo
tion.
CANTON, January 80, 1885.

CANION, January OF, 1850.
EDITOR CLARION: In the last issue
of your paper | noticed an article
signed Claiborne County, setting firth
the qualifications, and the eminent fitness
of Hon. Wiley \. Nash OF Starkville for
the Office of Attorney-General, and con
Guiding by saying, "Will some fellow
soldier second the motion" | do SO with
pleasure and heartily endorse any senti-
ment uttered III his cUmmendatiOn. |
was intimately assOClat d with him dur
ing the war as a member OF Harvey
Scouts" and can bear ties Imony TO his
sOldierly qualities. Although mere
stripping when he enlisted, he sDou l.
tracted the attention OF Captain Harvey,
and challenged the admiration of that
heroic band of patriots by conspicuous
acts of gallautry. lie was ever in the
forefront of the battle, and where the
moving accidents of war fell thIckest
or the greatest danger threatened. 1t
was not the mere enthusiasm of reckless
youth that made him hazard his life So
wantonly, but the dash of the impetuOus
and chivalrous" boy soldier, was temper
ed with fine Judgment ;and IN the hour of
extreme danger would eXtrlcate himself
from what seemed iusurmountable diff
hculties with rs much nouchalance as Il
trained veteran. such marked traits of
soidIerly qualities, could not go unre-
warded even in that company SO cele-
brated for deeds of daring" Wiley
was promoted, and for some time acted
i'll the capacity of Orderly Sergeant, the
most delicate and trying position a
young soldier could be placed in, but he
was SO scrupulously just, manly, and
straightforward III the discharge of the
onerOus duties pertaining To his office,
that not murmur of complaint ever
escaped the lips OF his comrades in arms
charging him with partiality or dere-
LECTION of duty. The writer has
known him TO relieve a brother
soldier and stand sentry while he slept
But it was while in camp, "otf duty"
after the battle was fought, and the ac-
coutrements of war laid aside for a sea-
son, that the finer qualities of the heart
shone out so conspIcuously. Genial,
social and clever, he possessed i'll an
eminent degree all those manly qualities
that beautlfy aud adorn the character of
true gentleman. No wonder that he
was SO mighty esteemed aud so tenderly
loved by his comrades, possessing such
traits. The war closed and we separated
to meet again for the first time at the
Capitol during the last session of the
Legislature, and there the writer saw the
subject of this sketch assume a new
role. The frey and impetuous soldier
had become the grave, serious, thoughtful
legislator, representing the pOpulous and
progressive county of Oktibbeha. He as
a
in war. He felt the Importance of the
trust committed to his keeping, and took
a broad and comprehensive view of his
duties. He at once assumed the ardu-
Gus duties that devolve upon the con-
scientious public servant, and sbTank
from no responsibility and shirked no
labor however onerous. Being profound
| ly impressed with the responsibility
| resting upon him, in framing laws for
the government of the people, he at once
addressed himself to the task before
him. Being hard student and trained
lawyer by profession he took part in the
discussion of every important measure
| tnat was brought TO the attention of the
Legislature. Clear pointed and forcible,
he won, and justly merited, and was
soon accorded the first rank as an able and
eloquent debater. His influence was
felt and his advice sought. Perhaps no
member of that body did more towards
shaping its legislation. In selecting
public servants, the people should look
10 their own interests alone, and apply
the test of qua!itication,-ish he honest, is
he capable,ls he faithful? If he fall short
of either of these he should be rejected
as weighed in the balance and found
wanting"
We have only one lamp to guide Us, and
that is the lamp of experience, and judg-
| ing our friend by his past record, we
/ think the State would be fortunate in
securing the services of such an able ad