The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1915-07-23

| Special to The Netps.
Crystal Springs. Miss, July 23.-
Congressman Pat Harrison, whose ad-
dress was the principal attraction at
the opening session of the Crystal
Springs chautauqua here today, gave
his unqualified approval of the selec-
tion of Senator John Sharp Williams
as Mississippi's most distinguished
living son; but he dissented with
equal positiveness from the commit
tees selection OF L. @. c. Lamar as
the states most distinguished dead
son, declaring that that honor should
have gone to none other than Jeffer-
son Davis.
Congressman Harrison had for his
subject, Democratic leadership" Al
though born and reared at Crystal
Springs this was his first public ap-
pearance here since he attained prom
inence as a member of the national
house of representatives and the
splendid reception given him by his
home folks" attested a pride and ad.
miration which disproves the idea
that "a prophet is not without honor
save in his own country"
His reference to the action of the
committee in naming Williams and
Lamar as the greatest living and dead
sons Of Mississippi is the first time
the decision has been discussed by
any of the present members OF the
House from Mississippi. Recalling
Mr.. HarrisOn's record of loyalty to
Senator Vardaman, a great many were
surprised at his tribute to Senator
Williams.
"A few days ago." said Mr.. Harri.
son, 'at the request of the manage
ment of the San Francisco exposition,
Governor Brewer appointed a commit
tee of distinguished Mississippians to
decide who was the most distinguish
ed living citizen of this state. This
committee very wisely bestowed the
honor upon Mississippi's senior sena-
tor. John Sharp Williams. AS scholar.
debater and statesman, he has few
equals and no superiors. AS a mem
Der Of the house of representatives
and the senate of the United States
hn hnc
tiOnal fame and honor for himself and
reflecting credit upon his state With
out respect to factiOnal politics, every
one, in my opinion, will concede the
justice of that selection.
But this committee also said that
l.. @. c. Lamar was Mississippi's most
distinguished dead citizen. Few men
in the history of Mississippi deserve
greater distinction and larger place
in the hearts of Americans than La
mar. His patriotic and eloquent
speech in the halls of congress, clos
ing with the words, ''Know one an
other better and you will love one an
other more" played an important part
in healing the wounds of the civil
war. in cementing the sections and
kindling the fires of a bigger and
greater nation. AS orator. jurist and
statesman, he rose to the highest
rank of national greatness. He is de-
serving of a high place among Mis-
sissippi's distinguished and illustrious
dead
Tribute to jefferson Davis.
"But with all his superb qualities
of greatness he does not, in my opin.
ion, hold higher place in the hearts
of Mississippians than that undaunted
military genius who led Mississippi.
ans in glory on the battlefield OF
Buena Vista: who as statesman forg-
ed to the front among the nations
ablest and greatest in congress, in
senate and in Pierce's cabinet: who
was unanimously sought and proclaim.
ed the first and only president of the
Confederacy; that vicarious sufferer
of lost cause, the immortal and il |
lustrious Jefferson Davis.
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