The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1910-05-12
TRIBUTE TO THE LATE SENATOR
A. ]. McLAURIN.

In the congress of the United States a
few days since, that is on Sunday, the
roth of April, Hon. Adam Byrd of Mis-
sissippi, paid glorious tribute to the
memory Of the late Senator A. J. Nc
Laurin-the house having under consid-
Grafton the resolution to hold memorial
services.
Mr.. Byrd told of the origin of the
Senator, his ancestry being Scotch, and
of the services they had rendered the coun-
try since coming to America before the
revolutionary war.
Among other things Mr.. Byrd said:
"The grandfather of our lamented
friend, fighting with the revolutionary
patriots of Lexington, is the first knowl
edge we have of the McLaurins in Ameri-
ca; but since that day, when the corner
stone of the Nation was laid in blood,
they have fought in every war involving
our destiny, and / dare say that but
few American families have contributed
more to the upbuilding of the church,
state, and our splendid civilization
I'm many respects, Senator McLaurin
was to the mannor born Scotchman, be-
ing as deeply as unchangeably set in
his convictions of duty and right as was
John Knox, but in no degree did he pos
sess the bigoted intolerance of the latter.
He delighted to recall the legends of song
and story that immortalized his ancestors.
Next to the duties of the Holy Bible
the quaint philosophy hidden in the sweet
melodies of Burns was the chief topic
of his literary discussion Doubtless
the poesy of this immortal bard, who
played upon every chord of the human
heart, contributed literally to his loving
generosity and affection-the full grown
flowers of his manly heart.
"Mr. Speaker, I hope / will be par
doned in saying that of all the public
men with whom / have been associated,
Senator McLaurin more than any other
approximated my ideal of superb man
hood, when measured by all the standards
of worth and success In some accom-
plishments he was far excelled by others,
but combining all of his blended virtues,
he had few equals and no superiors. He
possessed an attractive personality-tal
graceful, handsome and with counten-
ance always radiant with intelligence and
candor. With neatness and becoming
modesty he dressed, and moved among
| his fellows with case and dignity; nor
did these graces of Apollo desert him,
even after his locks had been frosted
by three score years. While dignifed
and commanding, he was void of every
semblance of vanity or affection. The
most humble citizen could engage his
friendly attention as readily as could the
greatest senator. In the sunshine of life
he was as gentle as flow er,but in the
tempest as firm as rock.
"But it was at the bar that his in
tellectuality rose at its zenith. He was a
master in the profession, and, though
often confronted by the ablest lawyers,
he was seldom vanquished in battle
where victory could have been won by
any knight of Blackstone. Always ia
miliar with the law and facts of his case,
and demeaning himself with dignity and
courtesy to the court, he was most dam
gerous adversary. As an advocate, he
scarcely had an equal.
s'His oratory was sublime, indeed, being
always couched in pure, simple English,
and flowed from his lips ike sparkling
waters from the gushing fountain. 1t
was the outpouring of a soul on fire with
earnestness, often rising to the sublimest
heighth of forensic efforts, and sometimes
sweeping away the better judgment of
the court and jury. Upon the hustings
his eloquence was irresistible. In defend
ing his deeds as a public servant he
Eever failed to destroy his critics and to
handle his audience as easily as shepherd
does his flocks To permit him to stand
before the people meant the downfall of
his political adversary. With truth and
justice for his subject, his language SEEM
ed to come from his brain through his
heart to his lips, and never failed to touch
every responsive chord in the hearts and
minds Of his hearers"
JOHN L. SULLIVAN, REPORTER.