The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1886-08-13
Sixth Mississippi Congressional
District.

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss, Aug. ?. Iss6.
DEAR PICAYUNE-Your readers
on this coast have followed with
great interest the reports and com.
munlcatiOHs which have appeared
from time 10 time ia reference to
the canvass now pending IN the
Sixth Mississippi Congressional
District. The contest is now draw
ing to d close, and, although sever
al active competitors have been il
the field, | think the chances are
steadily growing stronger that tue
present incumbent will be his own
successor. His principal rival has
been Col. L. K. StOckdaIe, of Pike
county, a gentleman OF engaging
personal qualities, and a Southern
soldier of unimpeacbable record 10
the late war. Col. StOckdaIe was
an aspirant for Congressional hou.
ors Ia 1882, aud it was in conse-
queuce of a deadlock between his
friends and those of Hen. L. S.
Ford that Judge Van Eaton was
first nominated, Many of us, who
have felt we'll disposed toward both
OF these gentlemen have supported
Van Eaton in preference to Stock.
dale because the position was ia the
first instance almost literally forced
upon him. Ii seems TO us hardly
to use a man to meet an emer.
genGy aud then to retire hun with.
out consulting his wishes and cOn.
venience, unless be has shown him.
self either incompetent or unfaith- I
fnl. AT the call of his party, Judge |
Van Eaton resigned an office which |
might have held for life, to en- [
gage III an arduOus aud doubtful 1
struggle. After a gallant effort he I
the district, and the party a
5 now enjoying the fruits OF his
'lctOry. In Congress he served with 4
uch distinction and efficiency that !
t the close of bis first term he was 7
nominated without opposition. 4
Judge Van Eaton is becoming a I
of national reputation. He is !
.nOwn as "a business member ia con. !.
radistlnctiOn to those buncombe !
rators who seek every opportunity :
D air their rhetoric, but who are of !
cry little consequence in the work ,
f practical legislation. There is :
o doubt that he is better able now !
D serve his people than ever before. =
lis increased familiarity with the L
lles aud forms of Congressional !.
his extended personal !.
lhuence and friendships, afford =
im facilities which no new member U
Ould enjoy. His uniform devotion d
} b especial claims and necessities E
{ our coast industries and CON. I
Ierce, and notably the part he has 2
lken in recovering the original "
ederal grant to the Ship Island
should convince our peO. 7
le that be has not been a slothful y
1blic servant. -
But, beyond these considerations, n
is a matter OF pride with me, aud I,
18th those who think as / do, to n
illow a standard bearer who was a !,
emOcrat from principle when no o
an had any reason to be a Demo q
at for the sake of Office. He has q,
st with his party, and won with "
party, and he has never been n
dependent enough to leave bis %
when It had nothing to give -
Mississippi is a great Demo f.
attic State; she has many a brave, -
I'd mauy a brilliant o who would or
} and dare all to support the par. a,
Of jefferson aud jackson; but :,
the dark days of reconstruction, "a
hen the carpet-bag minions OF 81
mes we're OverruDning the Stale 4.
Om the Gulf to the Tennessee line, a.
ere vas no Mississippian who =,
God Up more u1f1inchiugly for :,
)uthern civilization aud the So :.
'emacy Of the white race than orr IN
fellow citizen, Henry s. ~
an Eaton. His friends ask no
Indication for him. There is his !.
cOrdl No doubt he has his enc y
ies and detractors. Every strong -
an has. but 20 man eau say that :.
a not true when fidelity was os
0st tried and NEST necessary to =.
success Of bis party aud the -
Osperity Of bis people.
MIssIssIPPIAN.