Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1900-04-05

have come to ioin with all the Es~o-
pie ot Mississippi ia paying some fitting
tribute io the memory of one 80 the
greatest anu mosi 4 istisgpi~hcd soas of
our state. rvnderiy loved for his many
personal virtues. confidently trusted be-
cause ~ the hrroism and s,ardinesS VI
hi, character aud universally admired
for the splendid and stainless pat rictism
Of his public career. hc gnrs 80 his grave
full Of years and haaors. hgs amid the
lamentations of a bevcaved common.
wealth. Mississippi may have hsd
statesmen Of more brilliant gifts aud
oonspicuouS attsinments. but she never
had hravcr leader ar s,ur,licr citizen
or purcr patriot or wiser counselor or
more incprrup,ibic official than John
Msrshali stone He WaS distinguished
not - much for the hriiliancy ~ his
genius a. for the even balance 81 his
faculties and slmos, perfect poise - his
character lie was remarkable not 80
much for the depth - his learning a.
for the breadth % bis knowledge aud
the strength % his convictions.
BEFORE the grave j. forever closed
over our houorcd dead We may well
pause to recall aud enforce some - the
lessons - his noble and useful lifc.
would do this not u praise the ina ies
ti- Sleeper Ia that silent coffin. bur to
hold mp lofty ideals Tor the emulation
~ our Young manhood ! counted IL
happy Circumstance. II not gracious
I Providence that tiovcrnor stone should
have closed his pnbiic carver a. the
president ~ an institution uf learning
as the counselor and instructor 80
/ youth There was - much IN his life
To- command the admiration aud emuia.
tion of young ambition.
A few of the characteristics that dis
/ tinguished him as a man and repre-
sentative Of the people crave the privi-
lege Of recounting. To trace the his
tory of his public career a. soldier aud
citizen. and legislator and governor.
would he patriotic pleasure hut the
hour will not allow.
lie was a man Of unaffected moie,ty
and simplicity. without pretcn.e IN
manner or arrogance of spirit. Tie borr
/ himself with the quiet dignity ~ re-
fined and conscious strength. There
was never any effort either ta conceal
his presence or make himself known.
and never any nervous fear thas he
would not bc recognized and duly
honorcd. Singularly free from any dts
position To attitudiuirc. he de-p pissed the
bizarre methods often employed TO ad
vertiSe aud attract attention. lie was
courteous without ob>equiousneSs, dig
nified without austerity aud friendly
/ ssssstssss ssssststst 49,
Governor stone was mau of singular
| sincerity lie was almost a. trans
parent a. the light There were not
enough shadows in his great soul to
/ hide sinister motive. lie was never
diplomatic in manner or statement.
and never attempted by indirectiou the
achievement Of any purpose. There
was no mistaking his position ON any
question or his attitude toward any
movement Hence he commanded uni
versal and absolute confidence, and
those who differed with him mos,
widely in opinion honored the man aud
admired the translucent splendor of
his character.
lie was a man of rugged honesty and
unfaltering integrity. In public as in
private life. he was the same upright,
forceful, manly man, as unwarPed aud
majestic n a royal palm of the tropics.
Among many others there was one
magnificent illustration OF this distin-
guished feature of his character, aud IL
alone is sufficient TO exait him among
the noble examples of American pa
triotism When vacancy occurred in
the United States senate by the resig
nation of ten. Walthall, and the legis-
lature. then in session, was called upon
to elect n successor. il was generally
conceded that the glittering prize was
within the easy grasp of Governor
Stone. but the several candidates for
that high Office were publicly interro-
gated a. to their attitude toward then
test question in party politics Fearing
that any seeming modification of his
views might be made to secure a per
sonal end. he was the more positive and
emphatic in statement, and announced
his withdrawal from the contest Never
in life, not even when he led his brave
regiment in the storm of battle. did
John Marshall Stone appear 70 heroic
and majestic a. he did that day. No
wonder the old capitol thundered with
applause and strong men could not con
ceal their tears. Though party exi-
gcncy seemed To demand that one with
other financial views should be selected,
Governor Stone withdrew from that
contest crowned with the admiration
and benediction of the State and Ma
ton. Such lofty courage can never
fail of its due need of praise. In the
coming years of our commonwealth,
when the heroic deeds Of the fathers
are told with eloquent voice, that
splendid act of Mississippis ideal gov
ernor will be held up before young
/ Americans As worthy of all emulation.
His lofty and unselfsh patriotism
commanded universal admiration.
While not without strong personal and
political ambitions, these were con
scientiously subordinated to the high
est good and glory of the common
, wealth he SO ardentiy loved and 50
, faithfully served. In dispensing pa
tronage and exercising the constitu'
. tional power of appointment inheren,
E in the chief executive, he displayed
! consummatc wisdom. While many NAV
have differed with him in opinion,
have never heard It family whispered
A. l. .f.~ex e.