Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1900-04-07
JOHN MARSHALL STONE.

| have come to JOIN with all the peo-
pie of Mississippi in paying some fitting
tribute to the memory of one of the
greatest ana most distinguished sons of
our State. Tenderly loved for his many
personal virtues, confidently trusted be-
cause of the heroism and sturdiness of
his character and universally admired
for the splendid and stainless patriotism
of his public career, he goes to his grave
full of years and honors, but amid the
lamentations of a bereaved common
wealth Mississippi may have had
statesmen of more brilliant gifts and
conspicuous attainments, but she never
had drawer leader or sturdie citizen
or purer patriot or wiser counselor or
more incorruptible official than John
Marshall Stone. He was distinguished
not so much for the brilliancy of his
genius as for the even balance of his
faculties and almost perfect poise of his
character. He was remarkable not SO
much for the depth of his learning as
for the breadth of his knowledge and
the strength of his convictions,
BEFORE the grave is forever closed
ovey our houored dead we may well
pause to recall and enforce some of the
Lessons of his noble and useful life.
would do this not to praise the males
tic sleeper in that silent coffin, but to
hold up lofty ideals for the emulation
of our young manhood. | counted it a
happy circumstance, if not gracious
Providence that Governor Stone should
have closed his pnblic career as the
president of aa institution of learning
ag the counselor and instructor of
youth. There was SO much in his life
to command the admiration and emula-
ton of young ambition.
A few of the characteristics that dis
tinguished him as a man and a repre-
sentative of the people crave the privi-
lege of recounting, TO trace the his
tory of his public career as soldier and
citizen, and legislator and governor,
would be patriotic pleasure, but the
hour will not allow.
He was man of unaffected modesty
and simplicity, without pretense in
manner or arrogance of spirit, He bore
himself with the quiet dignity of re-
fined and conscious strength. There
was never anv effort either to conceal
| his presence or make himself known
and never amy nervous fear thai he
would not he recognized and duly
honored. Singularly free from any dis
position to attitudini2e, he despised the
bizarre METHODS often employed to ad
vertise and attract attention. He was
courteous without obsequiousness, dig
nified without austerity and friendly
without familiarity.
| Governor Stone was a man OF singular
sincerity. He was almost as trans
parent as the light, There were no
enough shadows in his great soul t.
hide sinister motive. He was nevel
diplomatic in manner or statement
and never attempted by indirection thu
achievement of any purpose, There
was no mistaking his position on any
question or his attitude toward an,
movement Hence he commanded uni
versal and absolute confidence, anc
those who differed with him mos
widely in opinion honored the man ant
admired the translucent splendor o
his character.
He was man of rugged honesty ant
unfaltering integrity. In public as il
private life, he was the same upright
forceful, manly man, as unwarped AM
majestic as a royal palm of the tropics
Among many others there was on
magnificent illustration of this distin
guished feature Of his character, and
alone is sufficient to exalt him amoni
the noble examples of American pa
triotism When vacancy occurred Il
the United States senate by the resig
nation of Gen. Walthall, and the legis
lature, then in session, was called upol
to elect a successor, it was general
conceded that the glittering prize wa
within the easy grasp of Governo
Stone. But the several candidates 70
that high office were publicly intcrrc
gated as to their attitude toward the
test question in party politics. Fearin
that any seeming modification of hi
views might be made to secure a pei
sonal end, he was the more positive an
emphatic in statement, and announce
his withdrawal from the contest, Neve
In life, not even when he led his brav
regiment in the storm of battle, di
John Marshall Stone appear so heroi
and majestic as he did that day, N
wonder the old capitol Numbered wit
applause and strong men could not col
ceal their tears. Though party ex
gency seemed to demand that one wit
other financial views should be selected
Governor Stone withdrew from tina
contest crowned with the admiratio
and benediction of the State and N;
ton. Such lofty courage can neye
fall of its due need of praise. In tn
, coming years of our commonwealth
when the heroic deeds of the father
are told with eloquent voice, this
splendid act of Mississippi's ideal GO
ernor will be held up before youn
Americans as worthy of all emulation
Z His lofty and unselfsh patriotisi
commanded universal admiration
While not without strong personal an
p political ambitions, these were col
, sclentiously subordinated to the hig'
, est good and glory of the common
g wealth he so ardently loved and /
= faithfully served. In dispensing p
tronage and exercising the constit
! tional power of appointment inherel
1 In the chief executive, he displayt
consummate wisdom. While many ma
have differed with him in opinion,
have never heard 1t family whispert
that he ever made an appointment
! accomplish personal or political en-
His Judgment may at times have bee
: al fault, but his purpose was alwa..
pure and patriotic. He never traflick'
'. In executive patronage or made Foli'
cal commerce OF his high Office.
Another fact Characteristic OF u
manly man and the conscientious go
ernor was the wholesome caution al
: wise discrimination he displayed in Q
i ercising the pardoning power. OFT,
. Ia had 10 annear stern and nnSYmn