The Southern herald., 1899-04-21

F e prisoner an J Ihns0ns Island unil
tie clpss af the var. lie resumed
ths practice Il laH afler the war
moving To Jackson, Miss in 1873
, where be cod fed and published
uoder great disadvantages, a Digss
Of tie Supreme Court Decisions,
work ralsd among The best If it'
character, being extensively used
BY the profession IN the State.
n He sflrrwsrds formed a eopartneF.
ship with Judge Wiley ? Harris
then the most noted lawyer 10 Mis-
sissippi 10 1875 he was chosen
chairman Of the Democratic State
executive committee, planning and
executing The mos, wonderful and
successful political campaign ever
wased iu the State Il vas 10 this
campaign that / first knew him,
and | wss greatly impressed with
mis- fine jadgmeEt aud great execu,
ave ability, lie at onee became
lthe Democratic leader, aud was the
guiding spirit ofthe civil revolution
Of that period, In 1879 he was sp.
pointed judge Of the supT.me court,
and his associates CT Inferred upon
bin rare distinction by immedi.
a,ely choosing him ehieijustiee. In
this position he'sustained the great
reputation be had made as a prae
uiiouer, His judicial mind grasped
the philosophy Of jurlsprudenee, ,
never being satisfied vita knowl.
edge Of law that did rot include the
reason for IT, The Law was his true
element, and his intellectual force
wac that Of analysis, in which hr
was especially gifted
In 1881 he was elected by the
legislature 10 the United States
Senate, where he remained a promi,
neni member until his dea h. HE
record as a legislator and states
man is equal 10 his career as a jurist,
he served on leading cummittees
charged with grave duties, mt wac
always equal to the requirements
Of the position, acQaitting himself
with distinguished ability aud with
an integrity and fidelity questioned
bv none. His recnrd is one Of con.
spicuous merit, without a spot or
blenish 10 mar its symmetry or
cloud il horizon.
Whether discussing in committee
or on thr floor legal or constitution.
al principles or questions Of public
policy, he was recognized as one
Of the ablesi men in The Senate,
His strong minority report on the
national inquest bill, his able
speech in favor of the treaty with
| Great Britain, bis exhaustive dis
cussion Of the race question, his
powerful speech against the consti-
tuiionaliiy Of the Federal election
bill were all masterpieces of logic
and learning, and will compar'
favorsbly with the best speeches OF
Calhoun or Webster,
Perhaps the most important serV'
ice rendered the State of Missis'
sippi by our dpparted friend was il
the constitutional convention o
1890 Ii was a high tribute to hil
craftsmanship, and an evidence u
popular trust, that he was called
from the national capital to hi
home to assist in framing a coneti
tu;ipn for his State
| II was my fortune 10 be associai
ed with him in the performance y
this difficult and laborious task
aud il affords me pleasure TO iestif.
now TO the faithiulness and eticien
cy Of his master hand in coniribut
ing largely TO the framing OF con
,titutiun that will ever he mUBu
mont to his genius.
The suffrage clause became after
wards the suhjact Of criticism an'
attack in the Senate, on the gruun'
, that il was a violation If iheFeder
} al Constitution.
The reply of Senator GEoFGE t
these objections was SO convincln
and complete that all attacks weF
silenGcd. This was. in all proba
bility, the effnrl of his life, for tn
, question seriously involved tn
5 rights and interests Of his own pee
, pie, which 10 him were alway
+ paramount.
He was truly friend of the CON