The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1886-02-18
SESAToR L. I. SYKES said /.

SESAToR l.. I. SYKES said;
Mr.. President In iurtherance Of
the resolutions adopted by this body on the
10Th inst, and 10 full sympathy with those
Just read by the Secretary, feel that the
mourniu duty is douoly imposed upon me
at this time TO pay tribute TO the memory
of the lameuted dead.
Asa friend who had known him Tor yeairss
only to admire his charming qualities OF
head aud heart, and with whom since the
beginning OF this Legislature. had been
on the closest and mo-tintimate relations
ripenlng former respect add admiration
into deep and abiding Friendships; and as
the Senator representing the District with
in whose borders his bright light Of life
went out at the summons OF his God, de-
sire to speak the sentiments now animating
me, aud the people OF my home, by whom
| am instructed and have the honor to rep
resent, on this sad occasion.
The death of our friend OF pure life and
honorable purposes, which came in the ma
lure of II shock as we'll as a bereavement,
could not have cast a deeper feeling Of
grief and gloom over this b, DIV, or over the
community in which he lived aud so ably
Represented on this floor, than it did over
the people Of Columbus, where his last
hours on earth were spent, and where the
uinisteriug hands and hearts of her citi-
zens, irrespective of sex, Wed 10 relieve his
sufferiugs and to prolong his days. Despite
the best Of medical skill and attentive
nursing, the seeds Of disease implanted in
his delicate and sensitive organism before
leaving here, developed and ripened until
medical science was baifled, and the pray
ers aud hopes Of sympalhizing friends were
unavailing, But, Mr. President, amidst
the sadness that attends the contemplation
OF his death, feel that it will be relief
TO you and this body 10 know what | was
assured on my visit with the remains to
Port Gibson, that the grief of his widow,
relatives and friends, is tempered by a con-
seriousness Of the fact, that though Gen1
Vertner died among newly made acquain-
ttnces, he nevertheless died among friends,
and that more skilful medical treatment, or
tender hands, could not have ministered 10
his every need and want had he died in
the bosom of his own home and apprecia-
tive constituency.
1t is we'll whilst we lcok on yonder
uIdHGu ClNlf buu utNh vi tbN idtG H1tudtuf,
To review bri, fly his life and to recall some
of the noble qualities and attractive viz
tues of the character OF the dead, aud which
hal made him the friend of each OF us, and
had so endeared him to the hearts OF all
Who knew him.
james Douglass Vertner was born in
Claiborne county, Mississippi. July 3lst.
1886. His parents were the Hon. John
Vertner, formerly OF Lexington, Kentucky,
and his wife, Jane VanDofh, of Claiborne
coduty--a sister of the late General Earl
| VanDorn.
Receiving in his youth the advantages Of
a refined aud cultured home, he sought a
distant college 10 round off and give poll
i.hed finish o his classic tastes. Return
ing from Princeton, n. j. where he receiv-
ed his collegiat. education, he embarked
in business in the far off and the then
almost inaccessible State of California,
where he was ut the outbreak OF The late
war, and where, in spite of his ardent
sympathy with the Confederacy. he was
compelled to remain to care for and comfort
dependent mother and sister. But. his
only, and much beloved brother, an aid de
camp on the staff of Gen. Hindman, gave
up mis- lille lOr our cause on the battlefield
OF Shiloh.
Financial reverses overtakingthe deceas-
ed, h. returned during the year 1867 to Clai-
borne county, and in 1870 Obtained license
to practice law, Having ALWAYS been a
student and finished scholar, Re found little
difficulty in acquiring a thorough knowl-
edge Of Jurisprudence, and soon became a
very successful LAWYER particularlv before
the Supreme Court Of the State, enjoying
at all times aud in ali places, reputa-
ton for perfect candor, good faith AID sin
cerity IL the treatment Of court, counsel
ellen $. No person ever evinced greater
disgust for what seemed little or mean in
the ethics of the profession. 81
Although attending closely TO the bust
ness of his clientage, and the interest o;
those committed to his care, he always
found time to do His duty a. citizen. In
] the stirring times of 1879 he was central