Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1902-04-10

Brown, Sargent s. Prentiss, Henry 5.
r'OOte. J. r. II. Claiborne. William L.
Sharkey. Wiley p. Harris. Henry T.
Elicit. j. A. L. Campbell. Edward Tur-
ner. James l.. Alcorn, Walker Brooke,
Z. f. Hooker. Ethelbert Barksdale.
David c. Glenn, L.. ]. Gholson, o. r.
Singleton. Thomas J. Wharton, j. NJ.
Acker. Locke Z. Houston, and other
great leaders of those days. Prentiss
represented Warren county In 1886
and 1887.
Gen. Andrew Jackson was the guest
OF the State in 1910 and received an
ovation in this chamber. Henry Clay
addressed the people from an open
carriage in front OF this building in
lSii. On Monday night, October IL,
leo2. Col. A. X. McClung delivered
before the Legislature his grand eu-
logy on the life and character OF
Henry Clay. Louis Kossuth. the Hun
garian patriot. visited Jackson the
same year. as the guest of Gov. Foote.
and was doubtless rendered a public
reception at the mansion or In this
chamber.
This Capitol. when | first saw 1t In
April, 1856, had been occupied only
sixteen years. IL was then considered
one of the most elegant public build
ings in the country, and nearly all the
architects who competed for the new
Capitol have complimented its general
plan and style
John J. McRae was the first Gov
ernor of Mississippi had the pleasure
OF seeing. His friends in East Missis-
sippi loved to call him Johnny McRae
OF Chickashay. He kept open house
at the mansion. He had many public
receptions and Pearl river water was
not the only beverage. He left the
mansion perhaps wiser, but certain
ly poorer man. He served his State
faithfully and well in the House OF
Representatives at Washington and
hlled vacancy in the United States
Senate.
Gov. McRae was succeeded by vii.
liam Melville of Madison-an accom-
plished, courtly gentleman Of the old
school. He was sharply criticised at
one time for his alleged too free use
OF the pardoning power. In answer
ing this charge. in his message to the
Legislature, he asked: Would you
have me inscribe upon the prison door,
Mercy Never Enters Here?"
Gov. Melville was n gentleman OF
ample fortune. and having thirteen
beautiful daughters, life at the man
sion was not regulated by the salary
attached to the office. Thirteen, II is
held by some. is an unlucky number.
But the balance Of the family were
boys; and our distinguished towns
man. Hon. Thomas A. Melville. is a
fine specimen OF the latter.
The first great speeches that | re-
member having heard in this chamber
were by jefferson Davis and Henry $.
Eoote, In November, 1858. Mr.. Davis.
being in the city, was invited to ad-
dress the Legislature on the questions
OF the day. This hall was packed TO
Its utmost. The speech had many
hints about dangers ahead, and the ne
cessity Of preparing in times of peace
for times of war. The Importance of
completing the fort at Ship Island was
urged
Gov. Foote was also in the city. and
so on the following night his admirers
insisted that he be heard. IL he ever
had any admiration for Mr.. Davis. no
one was able to discover IT. After a
sharp gubernatorial campaign. Foote
came out ahead by majority of 8
votes. Mr.. Foote had Just returned
from California, and felt that he had
right 20 give the people OF Missis-
sippi the benefit OF his views on pub
lie questions. He made no reference
to Mr.. Davis or to the speech of the
night before. but he said: Another
thing. my fellow-citizens. I desire to
warn you against: Don't listen with
too much admiration to military
speeches in times of profound peace -
The issues of the presidential cam
paign Immediately preceding the Civil
War were all discussed before great
audiences in this chamber The Know
Nothing orators were especially elo-
quent and aggressive. Put none but
Americans on guard" was the plat
form.
The secession convention met in this
chamber on January 7, 1851. William
s. Barry of Lowndes was chosen presi-
dent. You will find in the roll of dele
gates such names as J. z. George,
Wiley p. Harris, L. @. c. Lamar,
Henry T. Elicit, Thomas III. Woods, S.
Fl. Terral, ]. Shall Yerger, Daniel B.
Wright, ]. W. Clapp. Samuel Benton,
Harvey w. Walter. T. A. Marshall,
Walker Brooke and other great and
good men of the day. Rev. c. X. Mar
shall offered prayer.
No body Of men ever assembled for
more serious business. and none ever
gave more faithful expression to the
feelings and sentiments that prevailed
among the constituency they repre-
sented. To Mr.. L. Q. C. Lamar was
conceded. by general consent. the po-
sition OF leader He was then in the
very prime OF his physical and mental
powers-in his 37th year
have a vivid recollection OF him as
he arose in his place Immediately after
the organization Of the convention and
read resolution providing for a COM
mittee OF fifteen with instructions to
prepare and report as speedily as pos
sible an ordinance providing for the
withdrawal of the State OF Mississippi
from the Federal Union. with a view
to the establishment Of a new Confed
eracy. to be composed of the seeding
States" The committee was appoint
ed on the second day-Mr. Lamar as
chairman On the third day the COM
mittee reported IAN ordinance TO dis
solve the union between the State OF
Mississippi and other States united
with her under the compact entitled
The Constitution OF the United States
OF America. In less than an hour
the ordinance was adopted by vote
of "a to Is. Mr.. Lamar never re-
GREETED that action, but he did more
perhaps than any other member OF
that body to restore the ties thus tenn
porarily severed. His memorable ex-
preston at Summers bier. If we knew
each other better, We would love each
other more" was the oil that after
ward helped to smooth the troubled
waters between the sections.
The roll of delegates was then called
in alphabetical order, the first name
being James l.. Alcorn (afterward Re
publican Governor ard United States
Senator), at the time an ardent CO.
| operationist. His vote was awaited
with intense interest. and when he
arose he said: Mr.. President. the die
is cast, the Rubicon is crossed; ! fol
low the army that goes to Rome;
vote for the ordinancei"
Ninety and nine votes were cast
one delegate absent. The vote having
hAa - nol