The Washington times., 1912-11-29
COLONEL GOROON'S
DEATH GR|EVES
]. 5. SENATORS
Gentleman From Mississip-
pi" Was One of Best Be-
loved Members.

Many expressions Of regret were heard
about the Capitol today over the death
OF Col. James Gordon. "ths gentleman
from Mississippi." who passed away at
his home ut Okolona at the age Of sew.
enty-n.ne.
Colonel Gordon served about two
months as q member Of the Senate fol.
lowing the death of Senator A. J. Nc.
Laurin. He attracted notice here be-
cause Of his many picturesque qualities
and because Of his famous good will"
speech. at the time Of his retirement.
In this he pleaded with his colleagues
to love one another" and urged the
wiping out Of sectional lines.
Was Loved In Senate.
Col. James Gordon spent sixty.five
days IN the United States Senate, and
gave picturesque air Of ante-bellum
Mississippi to that body in his brief
tenure OF office. Appointed by Governor
Vardaman to MI the vacancy caused by
the death Of Senator An,eim J. Nc.
Laurin. Colonel Gordon at once won the
love Of his colleagues by his quaint
ways. his Southern accent. his kindii.
ness. and courtly manner.
On the eve of his retirement from the
Senate. Colonel Gordon made an address
that was 30 entirely without precedent
in the upper chamber. SO free from
stereotyped formalities aid so full Of
the true essence Of ''brOtheriy love-"
that he awoke to ind himself famous
the next morning.
Of the old school," man who writes
poetry for pastifne. man through
whose veins there has ever flowed rich,
warm. red blood, and whose heart was
running over With . human regard for
his fellow-man.
When he finished his farewell address
Senator Dupew OF New York arose and
said that no matter what man the State
OF Mississippi might send to the SEN
ate In future years he never could be
Colonel Gordon.
Lost Fortune After War.
His life was as picturesque as his
bearing. and was full Of ups and downs
His family was one OF the Oldest In
the Bayou State. and his father left
him an estate which was valued at
Is 60.o0 But after the war, and for
many following years. misfortune fell
upon him. The last vestige OF his for
'une was swept away In 1894, and his
great country home. I-ochinvar, be-
Qusathed to him by his father. was
taken away from him ty his creditors.
In his own words, he "hit the high
spots in his remarkable farewell
speech to his brother Senators about his
career. II had been his boyhood ambi-
ton to preside over the Senate some
day. and the day before he made his
address he was appointed to preside
over the upper ch amber, and was as
happy a. youngster over the honor
paid him. When ha spoke every Sen.
ator was In the chamber.
Happier When Poor.
Il have had varied life." ne began.
II was born a multi-miillonaire, very
unhappily. too, for l never saw ono OF
them that was happy yet. and I never
was happy myself until ! got rid of
my millions. The largest portion Of
them went to feed q large number OF
slaves that I unfortunately inherited.
and the rest / spent on my friends, as
gentleman should. and got rid of the
incumbrance.
Il have been listening to speeches here
very carefully. and the more ! heard OF
the speeches the sOrrier l felt for the
millionaires Thank God. I am not one
n heard the Senator from Arkansas
(Mr. Davls) the other day make
speech IN which he abused MIR. Rookie
feller. II there is q man in the United
GtAteb ! 1Ut bOITy IOT, u II MIR. ROCke-
Teller. can not help sympat hizing
with a fellow that everybody Is 'cuss-
Ing and ] never could see what they
'cussed' him for unless It was because
he had more money than anybody else.
do not think that Is q fault: Il 10 a
misfortune. I am sorry for man In
his condition. when he can not 10 out
on the street. and have even his little
grandchildren walk IN sight Of him
without threats that they will kill his
little babics. ] know the old fellow
loves those children better than all the
gold In his vaults: he wouldn't be hu.
man being II he didn't"
Against Sectionalism.
With that gift Of sympathy fer the
Standard OIL magnste. Colonel Gordon
reviewed his own war experiences, tell |
ing OF his capture Of General then
major) Shafter. and Of incidents in
those bloody sixties the nation can re-.
call now only with a shudder.
I'm kindness and friendship. want
to see Mason and Dixon's line obliter-
ated from the map Of the United States.