The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-08-04


revolution in public sentiment, which
must have been due as much to the
spirit of the people, in resisting the en-
croachment of the House of Representa-
tives upon their rights, as to the unsur
passed ability and eloquence of Prentiss
| in canvassing the State. Some years be
fore, as a member Of the Legislature, he
| had given great offence to the people OF
the northern counties, inhabiting what
| had been the OhickasaW Indian country.
| I think his offence consisted in an attempt
to vindicate the rights Of the Indians, in
opposition to the demands Of the settlers
for their expulsion. Such was their dis
like of him that in the July election he
received in oRe county, in that part of
the State, but one vote, IN others two,
| three, or at most a dozen. But in Sep
| TENDER, when he went among them, as
candidate for the November election,
his fame as an orator drew immense
crowds; he won their hearts by his
manly defence of his previous course,
and his eloquent tongue, by p0rtraying,
the outrage upon their rights, which
Congress had perpetrated, swept every
thing before him. He came OF con
querer. He, Wing Of Northern birth,
carried the Democratic State of Missis-
siDpi by q more than two to one vote
over Mr.. Claiborne, q highly respectable
and popular man. Mr.. Word said be
had been placed on the ticket in order
to help out Mr.. Prentiss in the Chlcka
saw counties, but the result showed that
Mr.. Prentiss had given strength to him
| Prentiss received the largest vote that
had, up to that time, ever been given to
any man in the State. 1t was 1861,
against 6,258 fer Claiborne. The vote
of Prentiss was therefore, more than the
double Of Cla;rborne's; and 1t exceeded
Clairborne's July vote by ?, 449.
have shown above, the limited writ
issued by the Governor, for the July
election, combining the term to the called
session. His certificate to the gentlemen
who were then chosen, correspondent
with the writ. Is declared them duly
elected Representatives to the called ses-
sion of Congress, from the State of Mis-
sissippi." His certificate to Messrs. Prem
tiss and Word as Representatives chosen
in November, was in the usual form, for
the 25th Congress.
The House of Representatives, at the
called session, had declared Messrs
Claiborne and Gholson to be elected for
the full term of the 25th Congress; bat
at the next session, January 81, that
body was ahamed into voting that Clair
borne aud Gchlson were not elected
as o member Of the 18th Congress. Yet,
with gross Inconsistency, &nd il viola
ton OF the rights OF the Teople Of Mis-
sissippi. they rel cted }ne claim Of
Prentias and Word To seats There was
some relenting in this case, however, as
the vote showed On a resolution de.
claring that these gentlemen were not
entitled to seats, the vote was a tie
yeas III, nays III. But Speaker Polk
came to the rescue of his party, and gave
the casting vote for the resolution Of eX-
clusion.
Mr.. Prentiss issued vigorous ad-
dress to the people of Mississippi, re
counting the circu lstanees of his ex
clusion from his seat. He said, in part
"After a most severe and memorable
contest, in which every art and effort
was exhausted for the purpose Of sus-
tanning Aessrs. Claiborne and Gholson,
in their usurped places, the House at
length solemnly decided that they were
mot entitled to seats as Representatives
of the State of Mississippi, on the ex-
press ground that the July election was
unconstitutional and void, &c.
at was decided that your election in
July was void, on account Of the Nov
ember election; and that the Novem Der
election was void on account of the
erroneous decision of the House in favor
Of the July election. / believe
you have been basely defrauded of your
elective franchise, simply because you
did not choose in exercising it, to con
suit the political taste and complexion of
the majority in the House The
true contest now is, whether you or the
House of Representative shall designate
the individuals who shall serve you in
that body"
In place Of brief quotations from his
speeches, which is all that my space will
admit Of, think that / can convey q
better idea of the wonderful power Of
Prentiss as an orator, by exhibiting the
impression he made upon friends and
political opponents. "He was not more
than thirty-fve years Of age" said Mr..
Claiborne, his opponent for Congress,
''but had already placed himself on an
equality with the giants Of the land. In
the armament of the Republic, there shone
no brighter star. He was endowed with
more genius than any man we ever met
with Mr.. Prentiss, il addressing
jury, has never been surpassed. Pith,
paChos, fiery declaration, biting sarcasm,
wonderful power Of illustration were the
characteristics Of his Orat0ry on these
occasions; and 80 expressive were his &C
tons and the play Of his countenanca
that even when you failed to hear him
you comprehended what he had said
His great fort was his analysis of point
Of law or the discussion Of a Constitu
tional Question. His style then became
| terse, simple. severe, exhibiting a mental
discipline and d facility of concentration
in striking contrast with the natural ex.
u5eranca Of his fancy"
! have only room fox "a small part Of
| this generous tribute Of his chief pJliti-
cal opponent. Mr. Claiborne was mis-
taken as to Mr. Premises age. He died
in his forty-secoud year.
The following account Of the imDres.
siod made by his speech in the House
Of Representatives in defence Of his
right to seat in that body is
condensed from his biography by his
brother. lie says; The delight ana
admiration called forth by his opening
speech, knew no bounds. On the day
set apart for him to address the House