Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-02-25
GORDON'S FAREWELL.

What Senator Depew characterized as
the most uniqus farewell ever delivered
In the Senate chamber was beard there
yesterday when ct the close OF the session
aud st the end of his term, Senst's
James Gordon, Of Mississippi, said goud-
cy to the senator's with whom he had
served for the past go days.
Colonel Gordon apoks for perhaps half
an huur sad when be had concluded Ssna-
tor Depew addressed the chair, 80, ing
ho never had heard or read any speech
OF the kind which vas 80 unique and 30
im pressive as the one which had just
been delivered to the Senate The New
York seua,or said he was surs be vo ced
the sentiment OF all the members OF the
Senate when be expressed regret over the
passing of the Mlsslssippian.
'No matter" he said, show wonder
ful colleague. succeeds him he cannot
b james Gordon of Mississippi"
Practically the entire Senate listened
with rspt attention to the address OF
the venerable Mississippian. He stood
back of bis own desk, on t,e extreme
right of the vice president, and In homel9
phrase and almost without gesture
talked to his colleagues as If they had
osen oldtims friends. Twice he quoted
ir-m bis own book Of verse, which he
ai.erws.d presented to the vice pres
dent. His remarks were frequently
punc'uated with applause and laughter
The galleries were we'll filled and the
occupants OF them joined freely in the
manifestations of approval on the floor.
Beginning with the statement that the
deadlock In Mississippi had been broken
aud that Mr. Percy had been chosen TO
take his place, Colonel Gordon said that
he had felt desire to express bic iee,-
logs toward the Seoate before returning
to his home in Mississippi.
II was born a multi millionaire"
said Colonel Gordon, "but never was
happy uotil got rid of my surplus
monog. 1 spen. much oft on my slaves
and the rest OF my funds spent like q
gentleman and got rid of my entire In
oumbrsnce.
III have listened with interest to the
speeches here and the more I hear OF
them the sotrier l am for the million
aires. Why, II there is fellow in the
United States that | am sorry for, 1t Is
Rockefeller, becsuse he has more money
than anyone else. That is his misfor-
tune. He can't 90 on the street With
one of his grandchildren unless he is
afraid that someone might kill him.
Why,sI know that be loves one of those
children much bitter than he loves all
the money he bas got.
II think M. Rockefeller is good
man. I see his employees speak we'll OF
him, and sm told that he never had
strike. am told also that be has given
much money TO churches and education
Now | don't suppose that everybody
will like that, but those who don't like
it can put 1t In their pipes and smoke It,
I'd like for Mr.. Rockefeller to come
down to Mississippi and run his pipe
lines through my land. He could have
the right of way for all the lines be
~auted, for l know that In my time coal
oil has been reduced from 40 cents to
10 cert, per gallon"
Referring to the fact that hs had been
a Confederate soldier Mr.. Gordon
said:
81 fought aud blej, but didn't die.
However, I skedaddled frequ entity"
He then told OF some OF bis exploits
10 the war and OF how he had captured
General Ooburn, of Indiana, and Gene
raj Shatter. Shafter, be said. had Cred
at him FIVE different times during the
Confederate charge ulthou: hitting him.
Paying a tritu!e to soldiers of both
the north and south, Colonel Gordon
said:
"You may as well try to storm the
heights OF heaven and pluck the diadem
from Jehovah's crown as to take away
from either of them any OF the glory of
the recol is OF The two men who stood
under the tree atAppoma t'x and brt lsht
the war to close.
"This is the finest body OF men that I
ever associated with," he Continued,
speaking OF the Senate itself, and he
b;amsd upon bis collesguss.
Referring to Senator Heyburn's re-
cent protes. against General Lees statu.
kaiug allowed 10 remain iu Ststuar5
Hall, Colonel Gordon invited Senator
Hepburn to visit MIN on his plantation,
and said that he was sure that after the
Idaho ssuator lad seen the south through
his spectacles he would lake of bis hat
to Lee, as be {Gordop) was willing to
doff his to Grant.