Year: 1873




The late speech of this gentleman ON the
contested election case from Louisiana is
spoken of everywhere as mastery effort,
placing him at the head of the Democratic
party in the Congress of the United States.
Mr. Lamar is the member from the northern
district of Mississippi, and has resided for
many years at Oxford, engaged in the prac-
tice of the law, except while performing the
duties of law professor in the University of
Mississippi. He is native of Georgia and
a nephew of President Lamar of this State


While quite young, he married the daughter
of President Iongstreet, so well known
as the author of the celebrated "Geor-
gia Scenes" Previous to the war he
was elected member of Congress
from the same district, or nearly so,
which he now represents, and distinguished
himself by the very able speech which he
made on the contested election case of Val
landigham and Campbell. With the APP
proach of the civil troubles between the
North and South, Lamar, with all his ardent
feelings, was found arrayed on the side of
his own section, and was elected Lieutenant
Colonel of the gallant regiment commanded
by the lamented Mott, who fell below Rich
mohd at the head of his charging columns.
Previous to this, Lamar had been stricken
down by paralytic attack, brought on by
excitement and over-exertion A second
attack compelled him to resign his position,
and he was appointed by President Davis,
who was his particular friend, the Confed-
crate minister or diplomatic agent to
Russia, and went there, passing through
Texas on his way, and embarking at Mata-
moros. At the close of the unfortunate war,
he was appointed again professor OF the
University Of Mississippi and served until
compelled to resign 10y the Radical interfer-
ence and mismanagmcnt Of that once noble
institution. He returned to the practice of
law, at which he was engaged successfully
at the time he received the Democratic
nomination to Congress from his district.
His great popularity secured his election
against all the cndeavOrs to defeat him, and
his disabilities having been removed by
Congress, he has now taken his seat in that
body and bids fair to become the most dis
tinguished Democratic leader in it. Mr..
Lamar is thorough gentleman Of the old
school, with unusual natural abilities
and very high culture, rarc to
find among politicians of the present day.
He is Of very ardent temperament, and,
with all the gcntleness and affection of
woman to his friends, has all the boldness
and bravery Of the lien to his enemies. His
quick sense of honor and good faith are re-
markablc, and he would not do injustice
to a single living creature, high or low,
black or white. His private and public
character IS without a single stain, and the
Democracy Of the Union may well be proud
Of their leader and hail with delight his adj
vent at Washington in the halls Of Congress.
If he lives We predict for him still nobler
position and q yet more general and honor
able reputation among his countrymen-
The writer Of this, though long his political
and personal friend, has not dealt 10 the
least exsggcration IN this brief and iinpcr-
feet sketch. The reality surpasses by far
the description. and ne only regrets that be
has not done full justice 10 his subject.