USA > Alabama > Reminiscences of public men in Alabama : for thirty years, with an appendix > Part 18
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Then resuming his place, Mr. McLemore said: "There is still another gentleman on this floor, between whom and myself there has been no communication, owing to certain remarks I felt it my duty to make at the last session, when his father resigned his seat in the Senate of the United States, and imputed Abolition princi- ples to the Whigs of the South. I refer to the gentleman from Madison, (Mr. Clay.) I honor the motives which induced him to consider the enemy of his father as a personal enemy of his own. What I said may have been too violent, and, on reflection, I think it was too much so, from a comparatively young man, to a gentle- man so old in the public service as Gov. Clay. My nature forbids malice, and I wish to place myself right on all occasions when I have done injustice to others. Will the gentleman from Madison accept this as a peace-offering, and let the past be forgotten?"
Mr. Clay promptly arose, and said he had listened to the manly explanation of the gentleman from Chambers with pleasure, and
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could not refuse to grant oblivion to the occurrence which had been referred to, though the injury, for the time being, derived pe- culiar aggravation, as it was levelled at one whose honor was ever dear to him. Waiving all formalities, he met the advances of the gentleman from Chambers in the same spirit of generosity, and here he was willing to bury all unkind recollections.
Mr. McLemore and Mr. Clay then mutually advanced, and shook each other cordially by the hand. The members and the audience in the galleries, appeared to be lighted up with good feelings at such an exhibition. It was truly a scene long to be remembered by those who were present. It added a fresh laurel to the brow of the noble Mclemore, and gives lustre to his memory.
20. DR. DAVID MOORE, of Madison, came from Virginia to Huntsville, where he settled in 1817, for the practice of his pro- fession. He entered early into public life, and served many ses- sions in the Legislature previous to 1840. At the session of 1841, he was elected Speaker of the House by a unanimous vote. Gov. Clay having resigned his seat in the Senate of the United States, Dr. Moore was a candidate to fill the vacancy. On the 24th of November, 1841, the two Houses proceeded to the election of Senator, when several candidates were placed in nomination, with the following result of two ballotings:
For Arthur P. Bagby . .59 66 (Democratic nominee.)
For David Hubbard. 5 3
For David Moore. .60 59 For Jack Shackleford. 4 1
1 Gov. Bagby having received a majority of all the votes, was de- clared duly elected Senator in the Congress of the United States. A few days thereafter, an article, under the editorial head, ap- peared in the "Flag of the Union," impeaching the fidelity of Dr. Moore to the Democratic party, which called forth a written explanatian, which the latter gentleman read to the House as a matter of privilege .. He did not ask for it a place on the Journal, but merely gave it to the newspaper press, which answered his
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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
purpose of self-vindication. In 1842 and 1843, Dr. Moore was again in the House, and the latter proved to be his last session. His health was then failing, and about 1844 he died.
Dr. Moore possessed abilities and culture of a high order, and was a most amiable gentleman. He acquired great wealth, had several plantations on which he made annually about 1,000 bales of cotton, which he shipped to Liverpool. By this means, he was enabled to furnish sterling exchange to nearly the whole of North Alabama for many years. He maintained a generous hospitality, and shared, largely, the confidence of the people. He was a prom- inent member of the Methodist Church.
In his day, by his sagacity and prudence, with great solidity of character, Dr. Moore justly wielded a potent influence in the coun- sels of the State, and especially among his fellow citizens of North Alabama. He left two sons and two daughters to inherit his spot- less name and large fortune. Both sons entered the service of the Confederate States, and acted bravely in the Southern cause. His eldest daughter married Colonel R. B. Rhett, Jr., the dis- tinguished editor of the "Charleston Mercury," whose able pen and chivalrous sword have secured him a lofty position in the an- nals of the South.
21. Dr. WM. B. MOORES, of Marengo, was for several years in the House, including the session of 1840, and was afterwards four years in the Senate. His reading was extensive, his mind acute, and his disposition was restless. He was very fond of drawing nice distinctions, and making every measure conform to his ideal standard of phraseology and meaning. No gentleman could form an act or resolution with more literal accuracy. The least depar- ture from true English, or from the harmony of style, seemed to give him pain. In debate, he was always heard with attention and respect, because he was always sensible, even when insisting upon the technicalities and precision of language, for which the largest portion of the House seemed to have no very great rever- ence. Dr. Moores justly belonged to the class of strong men, intellectually, and his physique was in proportion, stout and mas- sive, inclined to corpulency. He was a gentleman of courteous address, and finished education. After his service in the Alabama
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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
Legislature, he removed to Texas and settled in Freestone county, since which time I have not heard of him.
22. WILLIAM WRIGHT MORRIS, of Coosa, was a lawyer, and a member of the House in 1837, 1838, and 1840. In 1841, he was a candidate for Solicitor of the 8th Judicial District, and was defeated after several ballotings, of which the following is a state- ment:
For John F. Steiner ..... 31 30 25
For Sampson W. Harris. . 37
37 39
22 41
53
52 60 70
For William W. Morris. . 30
31 30
31
39
38
39
51
For Thomas S. Mays. .... 24
24 26
27
32
32
21
After the fourth ballot, the name of Mr. Steiner was with- drawn; and after the seventh ballot, that of Mr. Mays was also withdrawn. Mr. Harris was therefore elected.
In 1845, Mr. Morris was a candidate for Chancellor of the Middle Division, and was again defeated. The several ballotings were:
For James B. Clarke. 25
20
19
20 20
For William W. Morris
21
19
15
14
7
For Wylie W. Mason
41
38
51
56 65
For L. B. Robertson
.36
47
37
30
23
Mr. Mason having received a majority of the whole was de- clared duly elected Chancellor of the Middle Division for the term prescribed by the Constitution.
While serving in the Legislature, Mr. Morris would often raise special committees, of which he was of course made chairman, and then would report to suit himself in the length of the docu- ments which he submitted from committee. He was ambitious of distinction, and plunged rather too freely into the debates without having mastered the facts, and without mature views to sustain himself. By this means, his influence in the House was consid- erably impaired, although he was at all times regarded as a patient, laborious member, willing to discharge his duty faithfully to the public. He had a discriminating mind in the pursuit of truth. Had he been less ambitious, or thought less of self- preferment, his efforts would have been attended, probably, with
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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
more general success. In 1842, Mr. Hubbard had introduced the white basis for representation in the Legislature, excluding the mixed or federal apportionment, of three-fifths of the slaves, which is the basis of representation in Congress. Hence, on this question, North-Alabama, where few slaves, comparatively, were held, and South-Alabama, where slaves were numerous, were arrayed against each other, which issue entered largely into the next canvass. In 1843, Mr. Morris was a candidate for the Sen- ate, and espoused the mixed basis, in opposition to W. L. Yancey, Esq., who supported the white basis, in which contest Mr. Yancey was successful. This defeat, and his subsequent one for Chancel- lor, no doubt embittered the feelings of Mr. Morris, as he felt that his influence with the people had departed, and that they had no further use for his services in the public councils. In a few years thereafter he removed to Texas, where he engaged in the prac- tice of the law, and was elected Judge of the Circuit Court. Those who knew Mr. Morris had great confidence in the rectitude of his character. When he left Alabama, he was a bachelor, and circumstances made it necessary for him to provide for a number of relatives, who looked to him as their natural protector. His conduct in this regard has been very honorable.
23. WILLIAM M. MURPHY, of Greene, belonged to the legal profession, and was a partner of William J. Vandegraff, Esq., formerly of Kentucky, a gentleman of profound acquirements. Mr. Murphy's first entrance on public life was at the session of 1840, and he at once established a leading character among the distinguished members of the House. His logical power in debate was a match for that of Mr. Saunders in all the political discussions involving the antagonism of Whig and Democratic policy. No higher compliment could be paid to his intellect than to place him in this relation to the acknowledged leader of the Democratic party in the House. In 1847, Mr. Murphy was a candidate for Congress, and, after an able canvass with his com- petitor (cousin), Samuel W. Inge, Esq., the latter gained the vic- tory by small odds. In 1849-51 he was in the Senate, and after- wards removed to Texas, but soon returned to Alabama, where he died, at his residence in Selma, in 1856. If a class of intellectual
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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
giants at any time figured in the Legislature, Mr. Murphy should be enrolled on the list, among the first in moral courage and high-toned generosity.
WILLIAM H. NORRIS, of Dallas, was a planter when he came to the House in 1840, and for several years thereafter he served in the Senate. In politics, he was a Whig of considerable influ- ence, and a useful member of the Legislature, always aiming at the public good, instead of any selfish schemes. In middle life, he studied law, and removed to Brazil about 1865.
DANIEL H. NORWOOD, of Dallas, a planter and a Whig, was elected to the House in 1839 and 1840. He had a fine literary taste, and was a distinguished member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In affluent circumstances, he had always upon the shelves of his library, and upon his center-table, the choicest books and publications. It has been my good fortune to see him in his own house, and to partake of his liberal hospitalities. He died in 1843, in the meridian of life, and of his usefulness.
26. HARDIN PERKINS, of Tuskaloosa, was a native of Ten- nessee. At an early day he came into public life in Alabama, and was for several years State Treasurer, and subsequently Pres- ident of the State Bank. In 1840, he was a member of the House, and for many sessions thereafter, including 1847, 1849, and 1850, soon after which he died. That excellent prelate, the late Bishop Cobbs, of the Episcopal Church, was with Maj. Per- kins in his last hours, and it is hoped the prayers and counsels of so good a man had a proper influence on his heart; for, in seasons of health, Maj. Perkins seemed to manifest no concern whatever for his spiritual condition, or for the responsibilities of a future life. His example, it is admitted with regret, was in no wise sin- gular in this regard; for most of our public men, instead of being selected for high moral virtue, seem to repudiate all qualifications of this nature.
27. THOMAS MCCARROLL PRINCE, of Mobile, was a merchant, formerly of the commission house of Prince & Garrett, and was
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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
elected to the House in 1840, and again in 1845. After his mar- riage with a lady in Choctaw, he was returned to the Senate from that county in 1855. At an early day he spent a year or two in Liverpool, as a member of a large commercial house there, for the transaction of American business, pursuant to the recommend- ations of a convention of Southern planters and merchants, held in the city of Macon, Georgia, in 1839, so as to obtain advances on the cotton crop, through the agency of post notes, and to secure good prices for the Southern staple by holding the stock until it was demanded for immediate consumption by spinners. In this way it was hoped that combinations to control the cotton market for the benefit of speculators might be prevented, and that the natural channels of the cotton trade would be cleared of any arti- ficial obstruction. This, at least, was the principal idea of the Macon Convention, supported by Gen. James Hamilton, of South Carolina, and other distinguished citizens, who issued an address to this effect. Among the agencies in Europe for the sale of American cotton, and for carrying out the plan agreed upon, was the house of Fontaine, Prince & Co., of Liverpool.
At this point an anecdote may be related. Mr. Prince, a portly, fine-looking gentleman, whose figure and striking appearance would command attention anywhere, had entered his name at the hotel in Liverpool as "Thomas McCarroll Prince of Mobile, Ala- bama." It was soon whispered in the city that the Prince of Mobile had arrived from America, and had taken lodgings at a particular hotel. Large crowds collected to see the noble stran- ger who, unconcious of the admiration, bore himself as became a Prince, as he was by nature's patent of nobility.
While in the Legislature, Mr. Prince was a Whig, and a very social, pleasant gentleman, of considerable business tact. He occasionally made speeches, which were always in good taste. He is a native of North Carolina, and a graduate of the Univer- sity of that State, of the class of 1827. He is now a planter in Choctaw county, still a Prince by nature as by name. [Since this notice was written, this worthy gentleman died, October 16, 1871.]
28. BENJAMIN REYNOLDS, of Franklin county, was a member of the Tennessee Legislature in 1827; served in the army under 13
·
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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
Gen. Jackson at the battle of the Horse Shoe, and assisted to bury Major Lemuel P. Montgomery, who was killed in the first charge. (The city of Montgomery was named in honor of this gallant offi- cer.) President Jackson appointed Mr. Reynolds, Agent of the Chickasaw Indians, and after holding this office, he removed to Alabama, and settled in Franklin county. He was elected to the House in 1839 and in 1840. He was large and portly in person, and a Democrat in politics. On several occasions he manifested a liberality of feeling which secured him the respect of all. He was a man of good sense, and social in his disposition. In a few years after retiring from the Legislature, he died at a good old age, leaving the prestige of a spotless name to his descendants.
29. SAMUEL F. RICE, of Talladega, was a native of South Car- olina, and a graduate of Columbia College, with large and influ- ential family connections. He settled in the town of Talladega for the practice of the law, and was elected to the House in 1840 and 1841. He was among the sharpest debaters on the floor, skilled in making and parrying thrusts.
The election of Mr. Rice as State Printer, in 1841, may be accounted for by his connection with the press for many years, as editor of the "Watchtower," a Democratic paper published by him in the town of Talladega.
In 1845, he was nominated for Congress, and was beaten by Gen. McConnell. In the Presidential campaign of 1848, Mr. Rice espoused the cause of Gen. Taylor, and was on the Taylor Electoral Ticket in opposition to Gen Cass. When the Southern Rights party was formed in 1851, he united with it, and was again a candidate for Congress, and was defeated by the Hon. Alexan- der White. Though disappointed in his aspirations for Congress, he was destined to the highest judicial honors of the State, as, in 1853, he was elected a Judge of the Supreme Court, and then settled in Montgomery. After his judicial term expired, he was, in 1859, elected to the House from Montgomery county, and in 1861 he was returned to the Senate for the term of four years.
The career of Mr. Rice, though diversified as a politician, and marked by strange affiliations, showing want of stability, has, to a considerable extent, been successful. In the Legislature he
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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
displayed traits of character, and gave evidence of ability, which attested powerful gifts in debate, being remarkably astute for aggression, and without a rival in repartee. Many instances of the kind might be given, if space permitted. His record is pecu- liar, abounding in lights and shadows to quite a romantic extent, which may be thus summed up:
A college graduate; a good lawyer; an efficient editor; a mem- ber of the Legislature; State Printer; a Democrat, a Taylor man, and a Southern Rights man; a Know-Nothing in 1855; twice a candidate for Congress; a Judge of the Supreme Court; a Seces- sionist in 1861, and a Republican in 1870. Through all these phases of experience, the talents, wit and social qualities of Mr. Rice, his broad humor, his pungent criticisms of character, and that fertility of resource so perfectly original, have drawn around him many friends who, in their attachment, had rather be blind to his imperfections than to arraign the integrity of his motives. On the latter I presume not to sit in judgment. For these he is accountable to a higher tribunal, and the opinions of man should always be tempered with charity. Mr. Rice was for a number of years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
30. ORAN M. ROBERTS, of St. Clair, was a graduate of the Uni- versity of Alabama, and early admitted to the bar. He served in the House in 1840, his only session, during which he was modest and unpretending, though his talents were manifest. In a few years he removed to Texas, where he was elected a Judge of the Supreme Court. He was President of the Secession Convention, in 1861, and, in 1865, was elected a Senator in the United States Congress, but never took his seat, owing to the rigor of the recon- struction acts. He was a native of Alabama, and his record has reflected honor, not only on himself, but on the State which gave him birth.
31. JAMES E. SAUNDERS, of Lawrence, was a member of the Legislature previous to 1840, when he was again elected to the House, and made Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. In the first discussion which arose relative to the election of United States Senator, the rank assigned him, by general consent, was that of
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Reminissences of Public Men in Alabama.
leader on the Democratic side. He was calm as a May morning, and cold as an icicle, never permitting the exciting scenes around him to ruffle the perfect equanimity of his temper. His thoughts appeared so well arranged, and his facts so connected, that he seemed only to make a statement in order to carry his point by the force of deduction. He bore himself with so much ease, and yet with such force in debate, that while he astonished all by the strength of his logic, it seemed that he held himself back, and never darted his heaviest bolts. Congress would have been a more suitable arena for the exhibition of his true character and his eminent abilities. The laurels he gained never withered; but each successive performance added lustre to his victories.
Mr. Saunders was, for many years a Trustee of the University, and contributed to that change of administration which took place in 1837, when the Rev. Alva Woods retired from the Presidency, and was succeeded by the Rev. Basil Manly, as the head of the institution. In 1842, he changed his residence to Mobile, where he established himself in the commission business, as a member of the firm of Bradford & Saunders. In 1845, Mr. Polk appointed him Collector of the port of Mobile, which office he held four years. In 1852, he served on the Electoral Ticket which cast the vote of Alabama for Pierce and King. He possessed a large for- tune, having married the daughter of Robert Watkins, Esq., formerly of Georgia. Mr. Saunders dispensed a liberal hospitality, and gave freely of his wealth to charitable objects and to the sup- port of the ministry. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has faithfully discharged the duties imposed by that relation. He has acted well his part as a Christian philosopher, and is now enjoying that retirement and universal respect so well merited by his spotless character.
32. LUKE R. SIMMONS,* of Pike, served in the Legislature of North Carolina before his removal to Alabama, where, in 1837, he was first elected to the House, and continued until the session of 1841; always a Whig in politics, but ever faithful to the interests
* Mr. Simmons was in the House of Commons in 1821, 1824, 1825, 1826, 1827, 1828, and in 1829, and in the Senate of North Carolina, from Columbus county, in 1830, 1831, 1832, and 1833.
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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
of the people, without regard to party lines. He was a gentleman of great moral worth, and though a plain farmer, without any pre- tensions to literature, he had a sensible view of things, and could express himself to advantage. When incorporating the county-site of Pike, he called it Troy, as a tribute to Alexander Troy, Esq., his old competitor for the Legislature of North Carolina, the father of Col. D. S. Troy, of Montgomery, son-in-law of Gov. Watts.
33. HENRY D. SMITH, of Lauderdale, came from North Caro- lina, and, when quite young, was elected to the House in 1839, and was reelected at various times until 1859-'60. He was an intelligent planter, and frequently shared in the debates. His manner was somewhat dictatorial and petulant, as if he desired to have things exactly after his own model. He was by no means popular among his fellow-members, though he had good sense, and was attentive to the business of the House. Few could please him, and he was never backward in finding fault, and impugning the motives of others. He succeeded in acquiring a large prop- erty, and was a delegate to the Charleston and Baltimore Conven- tions in 1860, and followed the extreme course of Mr. Yancey. Mr. Smith died in 1869.
34. HON. SAMUEL WALKER, of Madison, was a native of South Carolina, and after his removal to Alabama was often a member of the House. He was elected Speaker at the session of 1840; but, his health failing, he resigned the Chair in a few weeks, and R. A. Baker, Esq., was elected Speaker in his place. He was a good man and was universally respected. When he resigned the Speakership, a unanimous vote of thanks was tendered him by the House, on motion of Mr. Young, who had been his competitor for the Chair. In a short time thereafter Mr. Walker died.
35. THOMAS A. WALKER, of Benton, was raised in Shelby county, and completed his education at the University of Alabama. In 1835, he was elected Solicitor of the Ninth Judicial Circuit, and was holding that office when he was elected to the House, in 1839. When the question of eligibility was decided, he and sev- eral other members, who labored under similar disqualifications,
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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
lost their seats. When a new election was ordered for his county he returned home, and was reëlected, and again took his seat two days before adjournment. He continued to serve in the House until 1842, when he was elected to the Senate for a term of three years. In 1847, the Legislature elected him Judge of the Circuit Court, for a term of six years; and, after the election was trans- ferred to the people, he was elected in 1851, and defeated for the same office, by Mr. Hale, in 1857.
About the year 1854, Judge Walker was elected President of the Tennessee and Selma Railroad Company, the affairs of which he managed well, and displayed great skill in the administration of its finances, much to the benefit of the stockholders. In 1859, he was again elected to the Senate, and again in 1863, when he was chosen President of the Senate, which office he held two years. . Since the war, he has been disfranchised in the matter of holding office. He owns a large property, and dispenses a very cordial and generous hospitality, in which he is gracefully aided by his accomplished wife, who, before her marriage, was Miss Sarah McGee. They have no children.
The different public situations filled by Judge Walker is the highest evidence of intellectual capacity, of public usefulness and social worth. He has worked his way to high places, and now, without the marks of time on his brow, he is active and cheerful in his retirement, with a past history to assure him of his country's favor.
36. TANDY W. WALKER, of Lawrence, came to the House in 1838, and continued to serve in that body, or in the Senate, until 1845. He was quite convivial, and loved the society of boon com- panions. No gentleman was personally regarded with more favor. His heart was formed for friendship, and the more its emotions of that kind were indulged, the stronger the ties which followed. He frequently shared in the debates, with a vigor of mind and a degree of culture which did him credit. While passing his Win- ters at Tuskaloosa he was much in society, and being a widower in the zenith of life, he was quite attentive to the ladies, who seemed to be fond of his company. Among the tender associations which connect the mind with the old Capitol, and with the pleasant
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