Year: 1874

l .Hoe -OOlOAeI MCO1uuS SO distinguished
himself as a speaker, He did not pos
sess sufficient suavity Of manner to make
very persuasive orator, but in rapid
ana brilliant concentration Of striking
ideas and in their vehement and forcible
expression, few could equal him. In
his loftiest moods of thought he was
sometimes unspeakably grand and i'm
posing as a speaker. In debate his first
care was to route his adversary from
every position with an overwhelming
array of facts and with the skillful use
OF condensed logic. Then, woe to the
head that was to receive his merciless
rldicule or his burning invective. When
IN reply his feelings were wrought up
to the highest pitch of excitement, moth
ing could equal or withstand the torrent
OF his passion. His attitude Of defiance,
the menace of his vehement gesticula-
tions, the rapid and vigorous tossing Of
his head. with locks disheveled, was
more terrific than when the chafed and
rampant lion shakes his brindled
tmane.'


| After the accession of Gen. Taylor to
the Presidential chair, he was appointed
by him Minister to the Republic of
Bolivia IN South America, but the posi-
ton was not congenial with histastes,
and ne did not serve out his term of
Office.


1t was during the sitting of the Mis-
slssippi Legislature that he pronounced
his SO much admired eulogy on Henry
Clay. 1t was delivered at night, and
in the Hall of the House of Representa-
tives of the splendid capitol in that
State. Both branches of the Legisla-
ture, many distinguished visitors and
the elite of the city were present. New
er was assembled, during the gay ante
bellum times of the South more bril-
liant or appreciative audience. To say
that this effort was fine and met public
expectation would be faint praise in
deed. 1t was we'll considered, elabor-
ate, and elegantly finished; and it was
grand, both in its conception and in it's
delivery. All the finer and nicer
shades of Mr.. Clay's character were
skillfully touched, and were painted
with bold hand, which could only
have been the suggestions of true and
appreciative genius. His peroration
was the perfection Of impassioned
thought and touching sentiment.
Few Of Mr.. Clay's old admirers could
now read it with dry eyes. Neither the
noble address of Mr.. Underwood, in the
United States Senate, upon the occasion
of Mr.. Clay's death, nor the splendid
eulogium of Mr.. Breckenridge in the
House surpass, if they equal this mag
nificent tribute Of Col. Mcclure to Ken
tucky's Great Commoner. The effect
of the address may be somewhat i'm
agined from the fact that the Senate of
Mississippi was at that time strongly
Democratic, but became so enthusiastic
under the magic influence of the Colo
nel's eloquence that, Immediately upon
assembling next day, it ordered five
thousand copies of it to be printed at
the expense Of the State. Your Mis-
sissippi exchanges could now scarcely
perform more acceptable service to
the public than to reproduce this eu-
logy. Many person have never read it,
and those who have would like to see it
again. And as the time approaches in.
viting to such indulgence his humorous
address to the loafers might also appro.
priately see the light once more.


e. In social life Col. McClung, when at
himself, was eminently pleasant and
was always scrupulously tender Of the
feelings of his friends.


, His manner was punctiliously elegant
and refined, and his conversation was
remarkably fresh and suggestive. He
J possessed rich flow of spirits, and was
full Of humor and merriment, when in
moments Of relaxation he unbent him.
self in circle of intimate friends. II
was often prophesied by some Of these
that he would finally fall by his OWL
! hands; others did not suppose such an
event by any means probable. His
; love Of life was so intense; his enjoy.
ments, when in his happier moods, were
so exquisite that it was not thought
possible that he would ever become his
; own destroyer. Neither did he until
, misfortune had crushed his noble facul.
ties, and until disappointments oft re.
peated had. vulture like, preyed upon
} the high aspirations of his heart, nor
until, with more than the scorpion s
, sting, they had lashcd to fury his proud
spirit. 1t was after all this, and with
) mind unhinged, and goaded to mad
ness and desperation, that he commit.
ted the awful deed.


Those who only know Col. MeClung
through the medium of his unfortunate
duels, and the many anecdotes, oft re-
peated of him, have no just conception
Of the man. His physique was almost
perfect, and his person Of such dignity
as to command the highest respect
wherever he went. With a splendidly
developed chest, his form gentle and
gracefully tapered to the ground, pre-
sented figure, in height just six feet,
and one of almost matchless symmetry.
The combination of agility and strength
in his person was perfect. His head
was large and Of faultless mold. His
forehead was high and we'll expanded.
} His teeth were of finest texture and Of
an ivory whiteness. His luxuriant hair
was dark, rich auburn. His nose was
beautifully formed and Of Grecian type
His eyes were large and hazel, and
served To 1ioht nm a cO11ntcnancn com