The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1897-07-16

Dl'bhI' lbSN' liz CdUNdSStu Illt !
State with eX-GOv. Neill S. Brown.
and for the first time in more than
a quarter Of century the State
went Democratic in presidential
election. 1t was carried by about
1900 majority.
In 1857 he was, without contest,
nominated for Governor. and was
elected by majority of 10000 votes.
He was renOminated in 1853 and re-
elected by a majority of 1000 votes
aud in 1861, without a nomination
and without being a candidate, or so
much as going out of his office, he
was elected third time Governor
by majority of 10000 votes. His
political views were well known.
His courage, integrity and wisdom
were established. In those trOub-
lous times such a man was needed.
When the days of 1864 confronted
him, Gov. Harris, in January of
that year, convened the Legisla-
ture in extraordinary session. His
message reflected his views upon
the tissues involved, which are well
known to-day to men familiar with
politics. The Legislature voted for
no secession convention. In April
he again convened the Legislature
in extra session and recommended
the appointment of delegates to a
peace conference which was to m eet
soon thereafter in Washington. The
Legislature acquiesced and dele
gates were sent, but returned, de-
spairing of any compromise. The
Governor then recommended that
an ordinance of separation or seces-
sion be submitted to the people.
This was done and the people rati
fled it by a majority of 10000 votes.
The Governor went at once into
the fight with all earnestness and
energy. He began the organization
of the army and the manufacture of
arms and the munitions Of war.
He was rendered by ninety of the
100 members of the Legislature a
Senatorship in the Confederate Con-
gress, but declined, saying he would
greatly prefer the Senatorship or a
position in the army to the Govern
Orship, but having been reelected
by so large majority, and when
not a candidate, he did not feel at
liberty to crafty his personal wishes
in the matter.
Having raised and equipped an
army he followed it into the field
and in the capacity of volunteer aid
:, to the commanding General, was
With his Tennesseans in every battle
/ their army fought during the war,
.eXcept Belmont and Perryville, KY.
kIHe was by, the side of Albert Sidney
JOhnsten Nwhen that distinguished
General received his mortal wound
at Shiloh, assited him to dismount
and stood by him until his death.
He then reported to Gen. Beaure-
gard and served with him while he
commanded the army. He was
afterward with Gen. Bragg. Gen
Joseph f. Johnston and Gen. Hood.
When Gems. Lee and Johnston
surrendered he resolved to cross the
Mississippi and join f.. Kirby Smith
in Texas. Before arriving there,
and after encountering the most ter
rible obstacles, ne found that Gen.
Smith, too, had surrendered. Re
solved not to submit to the domina-
tion Of the conqueror, he decided to
go to Mexico. On the overland
route, having travelled by mulehack,
he encountered Gen. Sterling Price,
of Missouri, and a score or so Cf eX-
Confederate soldiers. Joining forces
the party proceeded to Mexico,
where other refugees were met. A
colony was decided upon, and Har-
ris was put at the head of it. He
) and others called upon Emperor
MaXimilan and stated to His Ma
iesty that they belonged to the de-
/, feated party in the war between the
: States and were seeking new homes
where they could sit down and make
a living for themselves. They pro-
posed to be strictly neutral in Mex
, lean affairs. The Emperor was
pleased to grant their request, al
. lowed them to select their own lOca'
tion and gave them every encourage
, ment and all protection,
Their colony was called Carlotta
in honor of the Empress, and -four
; ished wonderfully until the eXecu'
tion of Macmillan and the with
f drawal of the French troops. Then
J anarchy took the place of govern
, ment and there was no law or au-
) thority anywhere. Harris sold out
: and sailed for England, still deter
mined never to submit to the rule OF
, his conquerors. He established /
cotton commission house in Liver
pool and had every reason to bOp'
for success.
| When, however, he came to write
/ for his wife and children, who haC
l been with him in Mexico, to cross
f the waters and further isolate them
selves from friends and kindred a
; home, he determined to return t
2 Tennessee. This he did, going di
r rectly to Tennessee, where he gave
2 himself up to Gov. BrownlOw anC
demaded "a trial upon the charge o
, which he stood accused. No tria
was ever had, however, as the Fed
eral and State authorities refused tC
= take any steps against him.
Gov. Harris then, in 1867, resettle(
in Memphis, beginning again tn
= practice of law. In 1876 he wa
: elected a Senator of the United
5 States to succeed Henry Cooper, ant
| was retained in that high place un
= til his death.
For Sale.