The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-07-09

DEATH OF SENATOR HARRIS.

Isham G.. Harris, senior Senator from
Tennessee, who died in Washington yes
terday, was every inch a man. He was
about eighty years old, but outside of his
immediate family his exact. age. was I'M
known. For many years he had re-
fused to give the date of his birth for
publication in the Congressional Record.
It was one of his notions, and it was
notion that all his associates respected.
He lived long and we'll, serving his state
with fidelity and ability that were
marked. He died with the harness on,
his last official act being to pair against
the passage of ',the worst tariff bill ever
passed"
There was a ruggedness of integrity
about the dead Senator that commanded
admiration and respect. He had held
almost every office in the gift of the
people, and he was so transparency up
gladly voted for him. 1t is said that he
was never defeated. He had much of
lthe aightforwardednes and hearth
ness that characterized Vance. He hat
ed trimmers and trickstgs. The people
alwa--s knew where to find him upon all
great public questions.
He was the finest parliamentarian in
the country since the death Of Blaine.
He was most emphatic in speech, pre-
times dictatorial. In his later years, his
emphatic manner Of speaking impress
ed the casual hearer that he was lacking
in courtesy. This was not correct,
though in truth he was noted more for
his fortiter in re than for his suaviter
in modo. His primacy as parliament
tartan gave him the position Of Presi-
dent pro tenn Of the Senate when the
Democrats came into the control of that
body in 1892. 1t was delight to see
him preside. Business was dispatched
with spirit and a precision that was
In marked contrast with most presid-
ing officers. You felt that a master
hand was at the helm.
The late Senator was a Confederate
soldier and was the Confederate Govern
or of Tennessee. With so many soldiers
in the Federal army, it was a position
calling for the highest wisdom as well
as the bravest spirit. He ranked along
up with Vance as a famous war Gov
ernor. When it became apparent that
the Confederate cause was lost, Govern
or Harris disappeared for time with
the States valuables and large amount
OF money, risking his own life to prevent
any loss. Parson Brownlow, who became
the military Governor, inserted an ad-
vertisement in the papers offering a re-
ward for the apprehension of Isham G..
Harris, giving unique description Of
his predecessor, even to describing how
he chewed tobacco. When he thought
the time had come when the money and
valuables could be safely returned, Gov
ernor Harris one morning quietly walk
ed into Brownlow's office and surren-
dered it every dollar. But for his wise
and prudent action, the State would have
been a great loser. This incident was
characteristic OF the man.
He was a man Of few words. His
sentences were vascular. II you would
cut them, they would bleed. He never
used an unnecessary word. His English
was terse, vigorous, emphatic, virile. 1t
was delight to hear him talk when he
was in the humor to puncture sham
or humbug. He could do it little more
effectively than any other man in the
Senate, and he possessed an oracula1
manner Of speaking that was impressive
and convincing.
The ranks Of the great men in the
South who made history from 1860 to the
close of Reconstruction are rapidly thin
ming. BEN Hill and Colquitt and Vance
and Harris and others have passed ove1
the river. In all history there have
been no nobler men. They served theil
country from the purest motives, scorn
.