The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1900-01-20
AN ORAToRICAL GEM.

oA4 VIVA 10 - At&ah . v
II jealousy guarded and literally sustained.
AN ORAToRICAL GEM.
Speech of Hon. w. M. Cox, of Prentiss
County. in secondinE the Nomination
Of Gen. Robert Lowry for United
States Senator. In the Dem
ocratic Caucus.
Mr.. Chairman. Senators and Representatives:
We are entering now upon a most high and
responsible duty. No more important function
can be performed by the legislature OF an Amer
lean commonwealth than the election of its
representatives In the senate OF the United
States, for they not only represent the political
convictions and purposes OF their people, but to
the world they are the types of their character
and life.
can approach that high duty upon this oc-
casion with mono other than a feel ing Of deep
solemnity. II the gentleman whose candidacy
l shall espouse on this floor receives your NOM
ination l cannot exult over the vanquished, but
should he be defeated 1t will be to me not merely
a disappointment but q sorrow.
Mississippi is a proud State. She Eas made a
proud record. She has contributed to the
service of the republic a long line OF illustrious
statesmen, distinguished not more for their
abilities. their attachments and their patriotism
than for lofty and rugged integrity OF charac-
ter, for unsuilied honor In public and private.
IN the commor wa,
,rwer. Iouo IN re.o,,, TIM .m
them Th.re aro tour how.va- s.,,o $50
foremost in the .Tect,or. ~ Tho nson,a =, MI
.,ssinni-Dav, Lamar Caorra ont yva,,n.u
Clarem ct venerable nomen, may well be said Of
each.
1 shall not attempt to enumerate their SER
vices, nor pay tribute to their virtues. Such >
Ia NOT nsaded Tor thev live in tho hear,s.t ,na,r
naon,e
~ n. to M .t,or a, nr,do tho,
hays .,ond 10 Tho orsot tvp.s =, N,issis-,nn,
charocter ana az The renresentat,v.s Of onrt ~.
tel,iuanca cu,t,r. ard civiI,z.tion
The standard which they nave raised is a high
one. 1t will be a sad day indeed when the peo-
pie of Mississippi forget 1t, or permit it to be.
lowered.
They belonged to a generation which has we'll
nigh passed. They belonged to the old South.
TO n people who preferred honor to advantage.
and principles to success. and who counted pub-
lie office n dishonor when won by questionable.
means.
1 said their generation has well nigh passed.
But It has not entirely passed. Some of their
splendid associates are yet with the living.
There remains one who was their cotemporarv
and friend, and, in character and service. their
worthy compeer. You will pass upon his claims
tonight. and in doing so YOU will pass. perhaps-
for the last time upon the claims of the old South
and Of a generation that has made our history
glorious beyond all that the future may hold
for us.
He vet fingers with us; and though his head Is
whitening with the frosts of the coming winter.
he is still in the full possession OF his faculties
and powers, and Of a fame untarnished by tho
breath or suspicion. His life for fifty years IS
interviewer with the history Of the State. He
has been with us and for us In the sunshine and
the storm, in the security OF peace and the car
mage OF battle, In our desolation and our up
building, In our sorrows and our Joys, In our
terrible undolng and glorious rehabilit alton. He
has honored every demand which Mississippi
has ever made upon him; rather let me say he
never waited for the demand Willing to spend
and be spent for his people,, with clear eye and
nerves well strung he watched for every oppor-
tunity Of service, and in every crisis was ready
to throw himself into the breach.
When the leader Of our lost hopes and the
martyr of our cause, like a stricken lion Ian
guished In an alien dungeon, he flew to his re-
lief, and facing the frowns Of an angry govern.
ment, and denying the wrath OF a malignant fac
ton, stood ready to defend him before a hostile
court against the charge OF treason.
When the black heel was on the white neck,
and citizens of Mississippi, because goaded be-
yond endurance. they were not sufficiently dociIe
and subservient to suit the purposes OF an alien
depotism, were rushed before packed Federal
juries, predestined to be sent to Federal dun
geons. he stood for their champion without fec
or emolument or any hope of reward.
When the tempest of war, oyerturning the.
fabric Of our political and social life, had left.
chaos, when our people. vanquished in battle,
stripped Of power, subjected to the domination
of aliens and robbers, had well nigh lost all nope
for the future, his brave heart caught resolution
from despair. His bold words and undaunted
front first inspired the people Of Mississippi with
the hope that they might yet again be free. He
canvassed the State against the champions of
black Radicalism at a time when at every APP
pointmenth he hazarded his life. and this he did
as freely as II it had been the merest trifie.
ana when a prostrate people rouseu tnem-
serves ana girded their IONS that they might
make a determined struggle ior the rescue OF
their ciVilization' ROBERT Lowry ike henry OF
Navarro. WAS always lar In 'front.' Oh the ug0t (,