The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1904-02-24

/ moral courage. He dared to do right,
as he conceived II, whatever might
be the fate of his political fortunes.
There were testing times duriag the
last years of his professional and po-
litical career that brought out this
radiant characteristic and commanded
wide admiration. He did not effect
any singularity of opinion, and never
attitudinized for leadership, or posed
for cheap martyrdom, but on the other
hand he never sure dered his honest
judgments or-compromised his convic-
lions in order to be with the major
ity, or to win popularity. Gentlemen,
this is the virtue that marks the d.
yiding line between the politician and
the statesman. and needs to be clear
ly drawn. The ole Is ever eager to
discern and follow the popular will
to tack his sails for every favoring
breeze and ride into the harbor of
temporary success. The other, under
standing the profound philosophy OF
political history, holding clearly de
fined views, on great questions Of gov
ernmental policy, and scornilg to adj
vocate measures that are not essen
TALLY right and for the best interests
of his country, has the lofty courage
to warn the people against impend-
ing danger, though he may have to go
down for awhile under the ban of
popular opinion. L honor the man
who has the courage to be in the mi
nority-zwho stands for the right
though the thunders rive him and all
men forsake him. Sometimes the
penalty of true leadership is to be
lolesome-and to ybey misunderstood.
But only such as can serenely endure
| the strain are worthy the suffrages
OF their eeuntrymen. .gs-s,r-s>s,rz=-rs4
9 Once to every man and nation comes
the moment to decide.
In the strife of truth with fa)sebood,
for the good or evfT side; &c "
Then it is the brave man chooses,
+ while the coward stands aside,
Doubling n Ais AFFECT sHfit YtA1 lhis
Lord IS crfcffed." EAAA ~ - L
"Mr. Russell was a genuine patriot.
He loved his country-and the whole
country While in perfect accord with
the interests b and better sc ailments
Eof the great section in which he was
born and tor which his life was devot-
ed, his patriotism was not bounded by
party or sectional lines. He honored
the past, but had his face to the flu
ture. He pathetically loved the South,
but sincerely revered the flag of the
nation. He cherished the herioc deeds
of his fathers, but had heart of even
larger hope for their worthy sons.
"All of you who knew that great
hearted man, will agree with me, that
his highest ambitions we're for his
country's good. He desired no prefer
ment if at the expense of what his
people regarded as the wisest admin
istration of their public affairs.
But, gentlemen, | must not longer
trespass upon your time. My only re.
greet is, that sufficient intimation was
not given, so that | might say some
thing worthy of the great Mississip-
pia1, whose untimely death we all so
deeply deplore. Genial, joviaI, hon.
est, magnanimous. magnetic Jud Rus.
sell, when shall we see his like again I!
He had few faults. some frailities and
many virtues. Let us avoid the one
and emulate the other May the dews
fall gently and the winds sigh softly
over the peaceful grave of one who
served his Lord and loved his fellow
men"