The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1900-01-03
r. III. HENRY FOR CONGRESS.


In most of the districts of the State
the names of different gentlemen Of
prominence are already being discuss
ed for Congress, and in a few instances
candidates have publicly announced
themselves. In this district the name
of Hon. r. II. Henry, of Kinds, among
others, is being favorably considered
by his numerous friends, and he will
be urged by them to enter the race for
the Democratic nomination.
If long, unfaltering, aggressive de-
votion to the Democratic party and
Democratic principles count for any
thing, no man of his age in Mississippi
is more entitled to recognition and
honor at the hands of his party than
r. II. Henry. The editor of THE
LEADER has known Mr.. Henry init
mately ever since he entered upon his
public career. Starting out as a jour
nalist before he had attained his ma
iority, at time when carpet-bag rule
was at the zenith of its power in Mis-
sissippi, he waged bold and uncom-
promising warfare against the alien en-
emies of Democracy and white SUI
premacy. In 1873 amid the rayless
gloom of the political night which
then enshrouded the State, when the
Democratic party leaders assembled in
convention in the city of Meridian and,
in dire despair, formally disbanded the
party-"turned its members out to
grass unmarked and unbranded, as one
delegate expressed it-and hopelessly
abandoned the field to the warning Re
publican factions headed by Ames and
Alcorn-R. H. Henry was one of the
intrepid young Democrats who reso
lutely refused to be "disbanded,"
bravely fought on with his paper for
Democracy and white supremacy, and
did valiant service in molding and
crystalizing the sentiment which, two
years later, under the leadership and
direction of General (afterward Judge
and Senator) George, rallied white Mis-
sissippians into the solid, invincible
phalanx which drove Ames and his
minions from place and power forever.
In the heated presidential campaign
which followed in 1876, and in every
political battle fought by the party in
Mississippi since, he has been one of
Democracy's foremost and truest
champions. In the two red-hot mu
nicipal campaigns which eliminated
in the complete and permanent over
throw of Republican and negro rule in
the city of Jackson, he was a promi-
nent and leading figure. In short, it
may be said in all truth, that whenever
the Democratic party has needed de-
fender or champion, X. H. Henry is
one who has never wavered or stopped
to count the cost.
Mr.. Henry has attended every Ma
tional Democratic Convention since
1884 and has personal acquaintance
leaders. He is thoroughly posted on
national as well as State politics, and
is an excellent parliamentarian. AS a
journalist he has risen from modest
beginning to the head of his pro
fession in this State, and at the pres
ent time enjoys the distinguished hon
or of being President of the Nation
al Editorial Association, representing
the press of every State in the Union.
He is in the very prime and vigor of
mature manhood, of commanding pre-
sence, pleasant address, tireless ener-
gy and a capacity for work which is
simply prodigious. Wide-awake, pro
gressive and up-to-date, he is one man
who, if in Congress, his constituents
who might write to him for informa-
ton, would be certain to hear from.
Some time ago this writer, well
knowing all that is here said commend
atory of Mr.. Henry, suggested that if
the South is to be represented on the
next National Democratic ticket, no
better running mate could be
chosen than he for Mr.. Bryan, with
whom he is in fullest accord on all par
ty questions. 1t is needless therefore
to say, if he should decide to enter the
race for Congress, it would be pleas
ure to give him our cordial support !;
and the people of Lincoln county
where for so many years, as editor of
the Brookaven Ledger, he rendered
valiant service for Democracy, we are
sure would rally enthusiastically to his
standard.