The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-08-18
IN MEMORIAsf.


He was reared on farm near W -
where the narrow circumstances oil MS
father rendered it necessary for him 10 en-
gage in all the manual labor OF the farm
until he had almost completed his minori-
Nv. Here in this hard toll and severe, ex-
acting work of the farm, day by day, anu
month by month, and year after year, IN an
humble home stinted in all its appoint
ments and opportunities, were laid, doubt
less the groundwork of that distinguished
success which crowned him when so young
Here he acquired vigur of body. strength
and Drawn, endurance and sell reliance,
and capacity for boundless work and
what became an element OF great power
and success, his thorough appreciation ei
the sterling worth often found IN the hum
blest toilers, and his broad sympal hes io'
hem. Having completed curriculum IN
this school of toll and poverty school
through which Heaven in very kindness
often puts the choicest spirits 10 make
them leaders among men-he entered ih1
University of Mississippi The eircum-
stances that he came without means ana
without friends To engage In TOUR years
course of study. looking TO his own I'M
aided efforts TO defray all expenses by such
work as he could put in in vacations anu
HOLIDAYS, shows the temper of his soul.
y
for himself, but at the same time furnished
ample means to educate a sister In pro
jracted course of study here IN the Female
College, made it plain that an extraordl-
nary man had appeared.
His life in College was marked ny great
dill ence and rapid progress sober, fru-
gal, dutiful, social and merry hearted, ami
yet revealing great depth OF character, he
won the hearts and praise OF Professors and
fellow pupils. On leaving the University
his remarkable traits OF character and
phenomenal success C, mmended him to
Gov. Alcorn, by whom he was appointed
Chancery Clerk, and filled the duties with
such fidelity and thoroughness and with
such courtesy and thoughtful considera-
ton towards all with whom he had to do,
that on Immediately opening law office,
after he quit the clerks office, he found
himself full of business. Money and friends
poured in on him, but his first thought
then as ever before and ever since, was for
others, and his early earnings were to help
his own brothers and sisters to the culture
which he well knew to be such a power.
He rose rapidly and high, putting his ewn
family name, hitherto unknown to fame,
among the highest in the profession of the
law. He won fame and made money,
grew rich and eminent at period OF life
when men do not usually more than make
beginning. His fertility of resources
and endurance of labor were almost I'M
limited. Whatever work, or exposure,
cold or hunger, sacrifices or selt-denial
were necessary to his clients was to him
his meat and drink.
He identified himself with his client not
merely by the professional words 1--WE"
and ''us" but by. real community of feel
ing. His clients loss, defeat or success
were his. Success was more than the fees;
indeed some of his most remarkable cases
were without fees.
The poor of both races found in him
friend that stood by them when they had
no money to pay one.
Quite soon after entering upon his pro-
fersIon he was appointed member of the
Board OF Trustees OF the University. and
made its Secretary. So assiduously did he
labor for his beloved Alma Mater, with a
devotion so single and absorbing that one
might have thought that il engaged all his
thoughts and commanded all his labors
His tact and judgment were such and
services so manifest that the Trustees and
Faculty united a few years ago in glowing
tribute OF commentator to him, read on
commencement day. He had broad sym
pathies and catholic spirit. He was a
Methodist; and loved well his church
and gave largely to it of his time and
means, but his heart was too large and his
nand too benefcent TO be confined within
the bounds oil single communion Good
men of whatever church or none were his
brethren, and the poor and needy, the
widow and the orphan, were in themselve.
IA sacred brotherhood that moved him To
sympathy, and helpfulness. So in poll
Al fbony h nafnnar.f - Il. n
there were patriotism ard culture and ali
civic virtues and broad statesm anship be-
yond its folds, and beyond the limits OF
his native South.
There was nothing little or narrow in
him-he was butt on a magnificent pat
tern. de moved in no contracted section
al or seetarian orbit; prejudice and bigotry
or little envIous meauness or selfish bias |
were not his impulses. He was a religious
man after the true type. He was liberal in
a high degree, to the church, and gave her
nucn OF his time and thought. His place |
was not empty when worship or work were
ON hand. For many long years up to the |
last Sunday of his life, he met his Bible |
class, composed largely of students in the |
University, and impressed upon them in |
MS own great way the teachings OF the |
Master. And so, year after year the Uni /
ding influence to go out 10 remember and |
to practice that highest of all knowledge.
and truest OF all culture that comes from |
the Oracle of God. How these BOYS now
grown, many OF them into strong men, will |
mourn their old teacher and friend His |
religion was chiefly practical, consist
ing largely in kind words of encourage
ment, in broad, sweet sympathies, in help
ful deeds and in the timely and loving
charity that lifts the clouds OF sorrow from
the heaviest spirit and makes the ssddest
heart to sing with iov.
Wherever one turns now since the great
sorrow of his death has fallen upon rs.
he hears so many saying, "He was the best
friend | ever had" and as the poor widows
stood weeping around the dead Dorcas.
showing the clothes and garments she had
made Tor them, so the mouths of so many
are opened by our common loss. and are
telling each one to another how much be
did Tor him. Ii is not claimed that he had
no faults. All men have had their weak
ness.
Abraham had his and the Lord chidea
him for il; Moses had his and the Lord
rebuked him and the Prophet of the Lord
pointed his hnger in stern condemnation
At David, and said Thou art the man"
And while there Is no thought of compar.
ng Mr.. Sullivan with thee holy men il
8 true that man may be great and good
md even send his name shining down
through all the ages, and have his weak
less- He had his weakness and stroye
against it, and struggled over it, md wepr
ind prayed. The memory of il was
great sorrow. The sun has his spots. bur
iiil his light battles all the world in "a
liant spiendor, laying robe of beauty on
mountain peak and mountain side. filling |
very plain and shore, flashing in every I
vsaye OF the sea, sparkling in every dew
rop, and revealing in the splendor of i
iight, All the planetary orbs that shine in |
ne star int sky. Let those who will turn &
way from the contemplation of all this
livine beauty, and in some dark cave or ,
haded room study his spot-, telI their mum. /,
er and magnitude. And so let others. if !
mere De such, mark the faults and faIIaci.s :.
Z mr. sullivan, but as for me. and the !
riends who knew him and loved him. and
ne pubic that trusted and honored him
ud the town and country, white and black
hat gathered around his bier in t...r,ni '
omsge, tce will r, joice in the contemnl.-
lon OF that good aud noble man in hi. c
pirlt reverent before CID, and heInful 5
1wards men, and in the splendid success L
aat crowned his life He who had borne f
pc sorrows and ministered to the griefs ii t
.ners IN his last hours, cast himself mon Nv
pc great Burden Bearer, ard died at neacs .
.l III tod and with forgiveness and good 4
III toward all men, No such demonstra- a
on OF sorrow for the dead was ever s.an :
oxford before The town draned ~ !.
uoiic building and business houses II j,
lourning, gathered in the largest crowds /.
~ sen, and amid the tolling of all the =
aulcn oelis, and crowded what few could :
-. -. ane Metnodist church to listen with =
owed heads to the solemn service Co. III a
ead- Even the poor negroes crow.led ~, ,he a
de WaIka totl.i 49, Ssonueu the n