The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1902-09-24
A Remarkable Life.


The report that the Hon. John II.
Reagan, of Texas, who has for more
than sixty years been an honorably
conspicuous national figure, will write
book of political recolleetions will be
read with deep interest throughout the
country.
Judge Reagan's, life links the history
of the first half of the nineteenth centu-
ry with the history of to-day. He was
born in Sewer county, Tenn, in 1918,
and settled in Texas while the State
was an independent republic. He
studied law, became surveyor, judge,
member of the Legislature and colonel
of the militia. From 1857 to 1861 he
was Representative from Texas in
the lower branch of the Federal Legis-
lature. When the Confederate States
of America were formed he was ap-
pointed to be Postmaster General in
Mr.. Davis Cabinet and held that
position throughout the war. At the
close of the struggle he was for time
imprisoned at Fort Warren. When
released, he returned to Texas and
was elected to Congress in 1875
and was reelected till 1885. From
1887 to 1898 he served as United States
Senator from Texas, and he was one of
the authors of the Cullum- Reagan In
terstate Commerce Act.
For sixty five years he has led an ac-
tive political life. He remembers the
great tariff debate of 1882 that resulted
in the notification act passed by South
Carolina. He recalls the fight made by
Andrew Jackson against the United
States Bank. He can relate the scenes
and incidents that made the "Tippe-
canoe and Tyler too" campaign memo
rable. AS young man, he was thrilled
with the cry Remember the Alamo"
and it may be said that he has never
ceased to be inspired by Houston's in
junction. He saw the republic of Texas
become one of the United States of
America. He saw the great West and
Southwest won into the circle of civil
cation. He saw the war clouds forming
as early as 1910; witnessed the compro-
mise of 1850; read the "Dred Scott de-
cision" soon after it came fresh from
Taney's lips; read "Uncle Toms Cabin"
almost the moment it was published
and had the capacity and foresight to
understand the significance of these
events. He was in Congress when the
Butler Brooks-Sumner incident de-
graded the United States Senate. He
knew all the great men of the period
from 1910 to 1860. Clay, Calhoun,
Webster, Benton, Houston, Breckin-
ridge, Douglass, Casual these he
knew intimately. He saw the war
burst upon the Southern States. All
of it he saw; part of it he was. He
was with Jefferson Davis at Montgom-
cry and at Richmond. He saw the
! Confederacy rise and he saw it fall.
He was elated when it's armies won VIC
tories, and depressed when the same
armies met with defeat. He met and
mingled with Lee and jackson and
Stuart and johnson and Beauregard.
He wore the gray when Nc
Dowen was routed at First Manas-
sas and he was wearing it when Gen.
Lee on that April morning in 1865
said to the heroes of Appomattox:
"Men: We have fought through this
war together. [ have done the best I
could for you. Ny heart is too full to
say more" He wore it even later-for
he was with Mr.. Davis on that fateful
ride from Richmond southwark.
He passed through the period of re-
construction. Herejoiced that the men
who plundered the South in her power
ty, oppressed her in her weakness and
Knocked at her in her calamity we're
cast down. Always true to his people
never breaking with them - he yet
turned his face toward the morning
toward the dawn of new and better
day. He stood shoulder to shoulder
with the great men who emancipated
and redeemed the South. He saw the
Federal bayonets removed from South
ern soil, ''black legislatures" driven
from Southern capitols and "carpet
baggers" put to flight from Southern
commonwealth. He saw Tilden cleo
ted, and Hayes seated, as President of
the United States. He saw the South
accept that decision with absolute 10y
atty and absolute self control. He
witnessed all the interesting political
and social developments that have
taken place in the last sixty years.
Judge Reagan is now more than four
score years of age. AS DR.. Holmes
would say, he is eighty-four years
"young," not eighty-four years 'old."
Throughout life he has conserved the
boy into the man. He has never in
cited what Mr.. Lamar once called "that
most pathetic of all feelings simulated
sympathy with gray hairs"
Surveyor, lawyer, soldier, legislator
statesmen, patriot, John H. Reagan has
been true to himself and to his people.
All the ends he has aimed at have been
his country's, Gods and truths. By
all means, let us have his autobiog-
raphy-his interesting memoirs
Times Democrat.