The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-11-16
GEN. aulTMAN OF MISSISSIPPI.
Rseoilections of Southern Statesmen and
SoIdiers-A Fire Eater But a Man of Hon.
or and Integrity-HeF Oresaw the Coming
Conflict Between Slavery and Freedom
But Died Before it Began.
by Hon. John j. Perry. ]


was that of Gen. John A. Quitman of
Mississippi. Until the election of speak
er which did not take place until after
nine weeks of the session had passed, the
members were informally seated in the
hall, without regard to party, and we
were by the doorkeeper invited to occu-
ply seat adjoining that of Gen. Quit
man. In person he was of medium Insight,
with full beard, finely shaped head,
thickly covered with silver gray hair.
which he wore very much in the style of
"Old Hickory" as appears by his pic
lures, and although then not sixty years
of age. really presented a venerable APP
pea .ance. His eyes were dark gray and
penetrating. In manners he was the
old style-gentleI manly, polite, social and
free to converse, with none of the "plan-
tation airs" that attached to other men
of his standing from his section Of the
country. Although this was his first
experience as member of the House he
had seen much of public life, both as
a statesman and soldier. He was born
in Rhinebeck. NY, Sept, 1899, and had
a liberal education. He first studied
theology, but early in life abandoned
that for the law, and when only nineteen
years OF age was a Professor Of Law in
Mount Airey College, Penn. When 81
years of age he emigrated to Ohio, was
admitted to the bar, but soon after
moved to Natchez, Mississippi.
In 1927 he was elected to the State leg
islature, in 1928 appointed Chancellor of
the State. serving three years. In 1885
he was elected State Senator, and as
President of that body became acting
Governor of the State. in 1886 he joined
the Texan army, and was soldier and
leader in the contest for the indepen-
dence of Texas against Mexico. In 1889
he visited Europe on business for the
Mississippi railroad, and on his return
was appointed judge of the High Court
of Errors and Appeals. He was Major
General in the Mexican War. He was
in the hottest of the fight at the taking
Of Monterey, and there had horse shot
from under him. At Yeera Cruz, Vic
toria and Ojo-Del-Agas he commanded
the troops; and at Chapultepec greatly
distinguished himself for bravery and
the military skill with which he hand
led his command. When the city of
Mexico surrendered to Gen. Scott Gen.
Quintman was appoined Military overnor
He was governor of Mississippi in 1865,
and was mem her of the Bath and 18th
Congresses; and although a Democrat.
was appointed by speaker Banks chair
man of the committee on military affairs,
and su bsequently held the same position
in the 18th Congress- -
Gen. Quitman was large slave holder,
but had the reputation of being kind
4 ,I,ar,
the slavery question, he showed me a
letter, written, he said, by one OF his
servants, giving an account of what he
was doing at home. 1t was letter
which in its general style, grammatical
arrangement and, details, would have done
credit to any business man any where.
The general said this negro had the en-
tire masagement.of his large plantation
during his absence, and was competent
to do it we'll, that he had provided him
good house and paid, him wages due
60 his position, and at his (the general's)
death would, with large number of
other faithful servants, be emancipated
by his will. In conversation the General
was free to admit there WAS a dark side
to slavery as found in the South, but
earnestly commended that his slaves were
better off than if free.
Gen. Qultman was a man OF extreme
Southern views, and although one or the
kindest hearted men / ever knew he was
in politics what was known as regular
fire eater. To my surprise he said to
me one day that Senator Seward was
right when he said there was an IRE
pressible conflict between freedom and
slavery, and that the two civilizations
could not Always exist together; and, said
the General, with an impressive look
when this question is settled it will be
setted by one of the worst civil wars the
word ever knew. I pray God it may not
come in my day, but it will come.
This was in 1856. Subsequent events
proved these words propnetic-that they
were spoken by far seing statesman
who had carefully studied the question
in all it's bearings from the standpoint
of stakeholder.
Gen. Quitman was a man who despised
all shams and compromises and was
bold and fearless in expressing his opin-
Squatter Sovereignty" theories and
upon two or three occasions voted with
the Republicans upon questions where
these doctrines were involved.
He severely criticised Brooks's assault
upon Senator Sumner and when speaking
OF Brooks's challenge to Burlingame and
his subsequent refusal to fight said
Brooks showed the white feather" and
was coward. He frequently talked of
Sergeant S.Prentiss and said he should
always respect Maine for sending,to the
West the greatest lawyer i'll the entire
Western country. He claimed Prentiss
as one of MS best and most intimate
friends.
In summing up the standing of Gen.
Quitman among his peers cannot do
better. than quote from another who said,
By virtue of his experience and strict
integrity he ever commanded the respect
of all, and the kindness of his heart and
amiable manners won for him troops of
friends among all PARTIES
But the old statesman and soldier who
with the ken of a prophet predicted the
fact OF the rebellion had his PRAYER an
swered for he died at his home in Miss
issippi. July II, 1858, before it was
formally !uaugurated.
Although Gen. Quitman in his politi-
cal views was an extreme Southerner
and had he lived would probably have
gone with the South yet for the eficienr
and valuable services he rendered his
country in the field, his honor and in
tegrity as man, his memory will for
ever command the respect of the Ameri-
can people. ~