The morning times., 1896-09-06
BOOKS and THEIR MAKERS
Publications That Are Coed
for Autumn Reading.
BIOGRAPHY OF LAMAR
Mr.. Edward Mayes' Excellent
History Of His Distin-
guished Relative.

THE lives OF some men are the histories
of their time. So identified are they
with the formulasfye causes and pro-
gressive effects either as projectors
or operative agents that the move
u,eut Of history centers In them and the
trend OF their lives keeps step or sets the
pace OF the march of history. By this token
simple biography becomes national chron-
icle or sucnls the career of the late Justlce
LuciGs Q &. Lamar and his biography now
written by his sol-in-law, Edward Aaycs.
No higher compliment can be paid the
writer than that his work is worthy OF it's
subject. He accepted under protest the task
Opposing before the national audience which
would rally to SO important work as the
life OF one Of the most eminent men OF his
time, he deferred with conscious, mo0esty
pleading 70 literary preparation either by
study or experience, but inipelled by the re-
quests OF the immediate family and the be-
lief that his long continued ana intimate U.s.
: sociation with Mr.. Lamar qualified him es-
pecially To coilectthe facts of his history and
to understand and interpret much OF his
Thoughts and designs which TO others might
be obscure or inconprehe nsible.
or the result, after a careful digestion Of
the extensive and elaborate work, it seems
fitting to borrow his own words In desrcib-
Lamar's motives and results in delivering
his famous Sumner speech. 1t is not the
impulsive act OF an egoist seeking to sieze
an opportunity by which to achieve per-
sonal reputation, for he Would have failed
for the lack OF the talismanic power of the
great love ami patriotism, which, keyed to
his subjects character. animates his work.
1t is the achievement OF a noble heart and
an adequate mind, to which expression OF
the lofty tone which has guided his pen
is never wanting In historical value and
literary achievement Mayes' Life of La
mar is distinctly one OF the great biog-
raphies of its time.
Lamar's life was the circumference OF
an extensive experience colored with va
riety, pathetic with the greatest sorrow.
lofty with the highest patriotism, crowned
with every dignity of an American citizen
He was born a Georgian, but adopted
Mississippi as his residence; lie served in
the National House before secession, resign
ed and accepted a seat in the Confederate
Congress. He was sent as special envoy OF
the Confederacy to the car; he was leagced
heart and soul to the Southern cause, was
returned to the National House after an
historical contest; struck the first note of
International amity In the great speech on
Sumner: became member Of the upper
house; was invited and sat In the council
of the President as Secretary of the Inte-
rior, and finally assembled the Supreme
bench.
The Sumner speech was really the turn
ing pointi In Lamar's career. He became at
once famous, and the greatness that was In
him was recognized. 1t is a mile post
in his career, before which the road had
been the way OF sorrows and disappoint-
ment, from which the path had been
smooth and upward to a lofty termination
This speech was death blow to intra-
national sectionalism. None who was pres
ent in the House the memorable April day
in 1874, will forget it, and only he can
realize how accurately and adequate Mr..
Mayes has caught the spirit CT the event
in his narrative. 1t closed an impassioned
appeal for understanding and unity, with
the memorable words: My countrymen!