The Pascagoula democrat-star., 1899-01-20

same class with Sergeant S. Prentiss.
He shines alone-a star OF the first
magnitude; he yet reigns without a
rival, no one daring to usurp his
throne or wear his golden crowd. To
the grave Of this peerless orator and
noble patriot was glad to make pl-
ous pilgrimage and in the solemn hush
OF that unseen presence recall the les
sons OF a brilliant life.
"Across the road, in grove OF gi-
ant oaks, is the old mansion Of the
Sargents, It's Cortnthiaf columns yet
as classic and graceful as the accom-.
plished gentry who once promenaded
its wide halls and breezy verandas. In
that cultured home the great orator
was frequent and honorcd guest
and just as welcome when brilliant
young schOOlmaster, unknown to fame,
as when, in later time, the whole
nation thrilled with his name. So,
when the weary wheels OF his toll
some young life stood still, he PREFER
ed to sleep among the friends who
first gave the adventurous youth
from Maine warm hand and hos
pitablc home.
"Thc tall trees that stand senti
nel over the grave OF this sleeping
genius are draped in long moss. Thus
nature seems to provide her own
mourning emblems to perpetuate a
nations grief for her greatest orator
! AS the winds sighed gently through
the m0ss.hung branches, low, sweet
dirge fell upon the ear, and swept, in
solemn numbers. through the cham
bers of the soul. And thus through
the passing days and years our soft
Southern winds give plalntive voice
to Americas ceaseless sorrow that the
cruel grave claimed all too early
her mightiest master Of eloquent and
persuasive speech. When only AZ he
fell asleep. the world filled with his
fame, and a great nation gratefully
bending at the feet Of his majestic
genius.
81 stood revcrently, looking at the
simple marble slab, with its equally
simple inscription, while my inner ear
was listening to the voices OF the
past as they told the brilliant story
of that silent sleeper. What mar
velous career OF splendid achieve
mcnt! 1 heard the delicate, hand
some New England youth, at the door
OF his parental home, tell the dear
ones good-by, and watched the frail
figure OF his mother, as her longing
eyes followed him far down the road
until the old.fashiOned coach was lost
in the distance, wondering what fate
would betide the boy Of her tendercst
love and most fervent prayers. l saw
him land from a boat In Natchez, with
only few dollars and several letters
Of introduction in his pocket, know
ing not how he would be received or
what door OF opportunity would be
opened to a poor, but proud and ambl-
tious young man from Maine. sat
in his school room at the palatial
home of Mrs. Shields, while the schOl-
arly young graduate of Bowdoin Col
lege taught his promising pupils, and
at night looked over his shoulder as
he mastered the principles and science
Of law.
II saw him leave the Office Robert
II J. Walker, and by one magnificent,
startling effort take. rank among the
giants OF the bar and in a few years
admired and courted by the great
, men of the nation. Guion, Yerger
harkey, McNutt, Lake and Other
stalwarts Of that day soon felt tho
splendid prowess of that young Her
r culps, and no audience, however hos
T tile, could resist the strange sorcery
OF his powerful eloquencc. The Wis
. ion of that mighty scene in Nashville
/. passed before me, when at the conclu
sion of what has been supposed tht
! grandest political speech Of his life
the pale ethercal-like sun of Mercur!
. tainted and fell, while the vast au
, dence, as one man, sprang to his res
r cue, an an enraptured admirer shout
r cd at the top Of his voice: Die, Prem
s tlss, die! You'll never have bette
e chance' I Imagined myself a witnes
Z OF his world-famed triumph In ou
s national House Of Representatives
: when he stood as the impersonatioI
n of the rights OF Mississippi, AM
0 thrilled the nation with the power 0
G imperial argument. The news rapid
j. ly spread through the capitol. Th
Senate chamber was left to the Vic
}, President and Secretary without
c motion tn adjourn, while 0Wchster
= Clay, Calhoun, Wright and other
Is crowded into the hall and stood en-
y tranced for two hours and forty min
), utcs as the young lawyer from Missis
y sippi demonstrated his right TO b
II forever known as the Demostllenes o
s. America and the Cicero Of the centu
D. ry When his thrilling peoration wa
l. concluded, and before the pale, ex
IS hausted hero Of the hour could slnl
5, to seat, the great Webster was th
e irst to grasp his hand, and -exclatm
10 New England claims her 'own aud !
tstproud Of her SON. listened TO lli
'e great speech IN old Faneuil Hall, pei
I. ~ the urAnfiest kriumnh OF nfa tor