Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-11-24

It has never been Mississippis honor
and good fortune TO furnish the country
| with the foremost citizen Of the nation
/ Civil and political conditions since her
entry into the federal Union have forbid
den this. jefferson Davis, before seces.
sionism became acute, was regarded as
the acknowledged successor to one Of
/ the places lately occupied by the great
triumphirate. Clay, Calhoun and Web
ster, but the civil war took him out Of
the nation and placed him at the head
Of the Confederacy.
After the war Lamar was one Of the
/ great men Of the country. but his con-
federate record his political faith, and
the complexion Of national affairs, Of
necessity forbade him the highest place
Chief Justice Fuller, at the memorial
meeting Of the Supreme Bench and Bar
held in Lamar's memory, said that it
could be truthfully said that he Lauar)
had done more to bring about good feel
ing and peace between the two sections
Of the Union than any other man But
it was partisans and not patriots that
were most honored in those DAYS and
Lamar's sphere Of greatness was con-
fined to being the most powerful ana
respected of the men from the South
But the prestige OF the state, won for
her by Davis and Lamar has been re-
stored by John Sharp Williams. Easily
the ablest and most efficient statesman
from the South, he has won rank as one
ofthe most accomplished statesmen this
country has ever produced. Indeed he
is the only great Statesman in opposi-
ton" as the English political term is,
the United States has produced at all
The leader Of a minority party-(and
very much minority party too he
has fought. ridiculed and negotiated
with the opposition so ably and etTec-
tually as to gain for the democrats a
really actual and active participation in
the government of the nation, He has
fought them bravely, has made no sac
rihces Of principles but has had the
good sense to wage no senseless and fu-
tile opposition to the inevitable.
In every field Of political action other
than congress the record Of the demo-
cratic party for the last ten years has
been one Of Iamentable disaster and de-
feat. But where Mr.Willams has been
In command Our party has won honor
and respect and fair degree Of success
He is the only democrat who exercises
a commanding influence throughout the
whole Union. His wisdom, his conser
vatism, his ability, and his honesty and
patriotism are admitted by all-re-
publicans as well as democrats recog-
nizing his capacity and character.
1t will be hard to justify to the ma
ton at large, should the event happen,
the defeat o, Mr.. Williams for the senate.
1t will be difficult 10 persuade men ac-
quainted with public affairs. or even the
general Iublic Of the nation. that there
is nothing wrong with the intelligence
Of the voters Of Mississippi if UGH
man is turned down by them. Desery-
ing so well Of his state and with such
a record Of achievement behind him, his
defeat will reflect not on him but on the
that refused to elect him.
has one man who in a high
position beset with difficulties has
measured up to the full standard Of ma
tional greatness. Let her not refuse
him promotion so honorable to her
and so well deserved by him.