The Neshoba Democrat., 1922-07-13
KISSISSIPPFS GREAT SENATOR
Political Landscape at Washington
Will Not Be Same When He
Steps Down.

Williams from the Senate the polit-
ical landscape at Washington will
not remain the same. At the Mis-
sissippi primaries to be held in]
August a new senator will be-
chosen for the seat now filled by
the states foremost public man,
Mississippi long has regarded John
Sharp Williams with pride. The
state has had to it's credit diligent
and capable Legislators, but few of
these have attained national dis
tinction. Of it's citizens who have
occupied high places Jefferson Da-
Wis will be mentioned first and from
his time Senator Williams will be
appraised by many the ranking
statesman
Williams has been in national life
at Washington for nearly thirty
years. In three congresses his par
ty presented him as its candidate
for the speakership. In the house
he was the protege of Charles L.
Crisp, enjoyed the good will of Thom-
as B. Reed and was the friend of
everybody. Senator George F. Hoar
said to his colleague, Henry B. An
thony of Rhode Island, that it SEEM
ed no eulogy or funeral of a senator
was complete unless Anthony took
part in it, because he was reckoned
the next friend of the man who was
dead. The same thing might be
said of Williams.
A man of spirit, he can give and
take blows in the public arena.
Never has he failed to qualify as a
man of action when occasion arose.
In fact once he went so far as to
engage in fist fight on the floor
of the House with a Missouran of
note, Judge David A. DeArmond.
But there were no casualties and
the only injury inflicted was to the
dignity of the House.
Williams truthfully can be de-
scribed as a gentleman and schol-
ar. Educated at the University of
Virginia and at Heidelberg, widely
travelled, a student Of government
and clear thinker on his feet, he
possesses the essentials of a ready
and finished public speaker. His
definition of a gentleman given in
an address in the House eulogizing
Edward c. Walthall, who belonged
to the old South, has been pro
nounced worthy to be placed beside
that of Chaucer:
The ideal gentleman was always
honest, spoke the truth, faced the
enemy: fought him if necessary,
never quarreled with him nor talk
ed about him, rode we'll, shot well,
used chaste and correct English,
insulted no man, bore no insult
from any, was studiously kind to
his interiors, especially his slaves;
cordial and hospitable to his equals;
acknowledged any; he scorned a
demagogue, but loved his people.
Williams will leave the Senate
perhaps with feeling that he was
out of place there. 1t may be that
he will have in mind the senate of
Webster, Clay and Calhoun, with
which he is so familiar as his
speeches testify, and the senate of
Aldrich, Bailey and Penrose, of
which he was a part. His concep-
tion of a senate is body with con-
stitutional power raised to its high
est terms, legislative body swayed
neither by the executive nor the
voters. That he has been a senator
of independence, conviction and de-
termination nobody can deny. No
doubt has ever existed about his at
titude on a public question. Every
senator has known before the call
ing of the roll how Williams would
vote With government directed by
what he considers an organized
minority he has no patience. y
would rather be a dog and bay at
the moon, than serve another term
in the Senate" was remark at
tributed to him when he was asked
to stand for reelection.
When the suggestion was made
to Joseph G. Cannon that the people
should make him president that
battle Scared warrior of politics
replied that they could go further
and do worse, and he added that
they probably would. Mississippi
must send its best to Washington
if the seat of John Sharp Williams
is to be ed.-Kansas City Star.