The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-08

.-s Montgomery, March 7.-(Special)-C James Gordon, the venerable "Gentleman from Mississippi" who a short time ago. as senator from that state, captivated the United States Congress by a valedictory today by request to the two houses of the Alabama legislature. Despite his hoary locks and his 77 years, his long ser vice as a millionaire, a soldier, politi- clan and a farmer, he showed no i'll effects of his trip to this city, but stood upright as when he donned the Confed- crate uniform and fought valiantly and courageously for the Stars and Bars of the southern states.
 The visit of Colonel Gordon to Mont gomery was ''by the way" one, he hav- ing stopped over in this city while en route to the Southern Commercial Con- gress at Atlanta. Last night he was pre- vailed upon by his friends in this city to spend the day here, and his responsive ness to that hearty invitation caused both houses of the legislature to suspend rules in order to pass resolution inviting him to make an address from 12;45 o'clock to the hour of his pleasure.
 While his address was Of .on,s about 30 minuptes duration, it was listened to at tentively by the large house and gall lery.
 Introduced By Almon
 Senator Gordon was introduced to the two houses at their joint session by Speaker E. B. Almon, who referred to the visitor as one of the south's foremost citizens. The venerable Mssissippian showed himself to have been affected by the tribute by his opening remarks.
 T wish that 1 could be more worthy of such high compliments" he said, ''but it would be quite hard for a man to come up to such enconiums. l would have you all know at the outset that I'm a plain, blunt farmer-no orator. I'm genial and as sportive as butterfly, but I have not the aspiration of the eagle that scars to the sun."
 Senator Gordon stated that he had everything In his system except a speech, but he announced that If he were to choose a subject 1t would be education. Regarding this he urged that too much attention could not be paid to the schools of the state. But he did not stay long on that subject.
 Compliments Lorimer
 The speaker paid a glowing tribute to Senator Lorimer of Illinois, "who, ? he said, was no more guilty of offer ing a bribe. in my opinion. than that honorable gentleman, Lenoy Percy, who succeeded me at Washington. Lorimer is fine man. I'm glad that the Sen ate gave him clear papers. I would surely have voted to sustain him."
 Senator Gordon called attention to that time of his life when he was a millionaire. Just as I told the United States Senate he said. "I was miser- able the whole time I had money. My happiness began when my money gave out"
 Touching upon the negro problem Senator Gordon said that the southern people love the worthy darkey but hated the race. He said that only the south, however. could settle this prob- lem. In this connection. the speaker called attention to the souths represen- tation in Congress. He paid an especial tribute to the former Alabama senators Pettus and Morgan, ellciting great ap- plause.
 Love for Women At the end of his speech Senator Cor don glanced up to the gallery, announc- ing that he could not close his speech without paying to them their dues. we are dependent upon our women for all happiness in ife,' he said. 'The best thing in the world is a good mother, and bad mother is the meanest thing in all history. Give us more mothers of men,
 The senator complimented highly his own mother, whose ambition. he said, was to- raise United States senator. He said that the achievement of that am bition pleased him simply because of be- ing thus able to satisfy the aspirations of his mother. f. In the course of the speakers remarks he stated that he was satisfied with his short stay in Congress. He said that he stayed their long enough. Its too much work he declared, and I'm nat urally lazy"
 President Walter D. Seed of the sem ate and lieutenant governor of the state. closed the felicitations of the day with a happy speech complimentary to the sen ator The lieutenant governor paid a gallant tribute to Senator Gordon and to the state of Mississippi.