The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1899-03-08
LATE SENATOR VALTHALL.
ADDRESS OF HON.
F. A. MeLAlN IN HOUSE or
REPRESENTATIVES.

ftOAi VI Wis AARhltaBtN bOaA Atllc
day was set apart to offer tribute
of respect to the life, character,
and services OF Senator Walthall
and Hon. w. +, Love, il was my
purpose to prepare only a eulogy
on my lifelong friend, Mr.. Love,
leaving the tributes OF respect 10
the memory OF Gen. Walthall to
the many members of this House
who knew him thoroughly and
intimately. Such an acquain-
tance it was not my good fortune
TO share.
Upon reflection, ! have decided
within the last day to offer a few
words expressive of my estimate
and appreciation Of this illustrious
Mississippian. Being a Missis-
sippian in common with him, |
feel a sincere and genuine desire
to offer a few humble words OF
praise to his memory. Though
his life, character. and services
have been so truthfully painted
to-day by his lifelong friends,
and also heretofore by his asso-
ciates in the Senate, that deem
it superfluous for me to say any
thing, yet | arise to pay my sim
cere respects 70 this great and
matchless man.
Mr.. Speaker
His life was gentle, and the elements
So mix'd in him. that Nature might
standup
And say to all the world, "This was d
manl0
He impressed me as being one
Of the most remarkable men, in
many respects, in our state. He
was by nature and cultivation a
grand, llnightly, and mastery
character. La many respects he
oyertopped all He treated ev-
erytfiag he touched with q mas
ter's hand. In his loAg useful,
and checkcred career he proved
this. In all departments Of life
he was called 70 ill he stood atthe
head Of his class, Az a citizen,
soldier, and statesman he proved
this preeminently In all these
spheres he shone forth as a star
OF the first magnitude.
In brain power Mississippi may
have produced & fsw men strong
or than he. Ia fact, am rather
persuaded that she did; but in
estimating a mans weight and
worth TO soriety and country We
must view him from all points.
No one man is great in all departs
ments. While in brain power he
did not, in my opinion, equal or
excel a few Mississippians I have
in my mind, yet assert with abb
solute confidence that he was
deeper rooted in the affections OF
his people than any man who has
been upon the stage Of action in
Mississippi in The iast generation
should | say within her history,
/ do not think | could be accused
Of extravaganza. Mississippi de-
lighted to honor him. She show
cred her richest gifts upon him,
and with her wreaths Of honor
she was always proud 10 crown
him. with or without his consent,
The truth Of this is known to all
Mississippians. ! shall not,
therefore, here relate the facts OF
this seemingly etravagant as
sertion, but such is a fact. How
did he gain this wonderful hold
upon herr BY Gods lavish gifts.
He was magnetic in its broad
est sense. He was pleasing and
exquisite in his bearing and man
mere. he was chivalrous, cour-
teous. aud lsnightly. His great,
manly, and tall physique was q
silent witness 10 courage. In his
presence you instinctively felt
and saw that you were il the
presence Of truth, purity, and
greatae s, and that indefinable
something, that was pleasing and
sublime, flowed out upon you,
emphasizing the fact that you
were in the presence Of no ordi-
dinarY man.
Pure, cnaate, and noble
thought had been chiseled upon
his intellectual and most loyable
face. But this was not all.
While God had given him a
graceful, manly form. and a pom
dercus intellect, he had builded
for himself a great character. 1t
gave him great worth and show
ed him off at his best. Again, he
was kind, generous, and had a
keen conception of the rights of
others He scattered the seeds
Of kindness wherever he went.