_ . y\ '-^ws /%. \^-' ^*'"-^. RESOLUTIONS I PASSED BY ALAMO ENCAMPMENT S, S. AND EtJLOaY LIFE AND CHARACTER OF HON. JOHN A. WII.COX, » PRONOUNCED BY HON. C. UP80N, AT SAN ANTONIO. MARCH laTH, 1864. PRINTKD AT THE RKQUBST OF FRIENDS OF THE DECEASED, AND BT AUTHORITY OF THE ENCAMPMENT . SAN ANTONIO : PRINTED IN THE HERALD OFFICE, 1864. ^ '^^^^ RESOLUTION:: E*-a8s<ment wear the usual badge of mourning on the left ann, for thirty days, as a testimonial of our grief for the death of the deceased. Eesolved, That a copy of these uroluiions 1 e i'urni^hed Hie f; inily of the deceased and that they be pnbli.'hcd in the "City papers. 3 [EULOGY While, ill obedience to the uiichang-ing laws of seasons, all nature, locked iu the cold embrace of winter, silently reposed, — as the storm of battle had but just passed, disclosing- a momen- tary and undisturbed view of its mangled victims and the blackened ruin of desolated homes, — and the uncontrolable ele- ments, for a time, stayed the mad clash of arms and held in check the demon of war in his work of carnage, — the solemn and ominous tranquillity which rested upon the country was sud- denly disturbed, the public mind painfully afflicted, and this community deeply appalled, at the unexpected death of John A. Wilcox, It needed but the simple announcement of that melancholy fact, to apprise the whole country, and most especially this com- munity, the home of the deceased, of the great loss sustained by the death of that distinguished man. Few men ever lived who had more personal acquaintances, or were more generally known than Col. Wilcox. In a large por- tion of Ihe country his name was familiar in eveiy house. Every class and grade of society knew him; those removed from the ordinary walks of life, — the decrepit and infirm, the bashful school girl, the thoughtless boy upon the streets, and the help- less child in its mother's arms knew him ; and all who knew him are instinctively drawn around his tomb, as common mourners to weep over his untimely death and do ready homage to his cher- ished memory. But as his fellow-citizens, neighbors and daily associates, in the ordinary scenes of life, and as his intimate friends and broth- ers iu the great conflict for the independence of our country, we have met to pay a just tribute of respect to the memory of the deceased, and to attest our high appreciation of his great worth and eminent virtues, and the deep sorrow we feel for his loss to .;> as iiidivi'lnnlsaiKl ;x roinnumity, and to tjjo whole Confederacj l>y a public commemoration of liis life and character. If wo come here simply to pass through the ordinary, cold, and common place, forms of regard to the dead, we dishonor ourselves and do injustice to the noble spirit whose departure we would lament, and whose life of usefulness and prominent virtues we would celel^ratc.. Col. AViLCox was no ordinary man, and merits no mean praise. His strong native abilities, ai-dent and impulsive nature, with some of the most marked and atti-active traits of character, gave him a prominent individuality, and raised him far above the com- mon level, which, together with a checkered and an eventful pub- lic career for nearly a quarter of a century, renders his life of peculiar interest and worthy of careful study. I first became acquainted with Col. Wilcox in the fall of 1854; up to the latter part of the year 1858 our acquaintance was but partial; after that time it grew into a most intimate and friendly^ and of a confidential character, and so continued, uninterrupted, to the time of his death. And I express but the sincere feelings of mj^ heart, when I say, that in his death I feel that I have lost a ''near and a dear friend P Much of my knowledge of the life and character of Col Wil- cox, previous to the year 1854, has been derived from his friends and acquaintances, though it has been chiefly gained from his own lips — now forever sealed in death — and from the public histo- ry of the country, of which it forms no insignificant part. Col. John A. Wilcox was boin at Snow Hill, in the State of North Carolina, on the 28th of April, 1820, about the time of the })assage of the Missouri Compromise Bill. Whether the hand of Omnipotence indelibly impressed his in- fant mind with the spirit of the times, which then saved the country from ruin, or whether he imbibed it from his early educa- tion, it is a significant fact, that the spirit of compromise was a leadin.'^: trait of his character in all his transactions of life. He descended from lui Lonost, worthy and patriotic ancestry. At tlie time of his birtli, his father was a merchant in easy and afiluent circumstances, and ever maintained an honorable and in- iluential position in society. In his eaily infancy his parents removed to Tennessee and settled at Randolph, where reverses and poverty overtook them, and soou followed the death of his father, leaving his widowed mother without friends or fortune, in a strange and unsettled country, %vith a large and Iielpless family dependent on her for support. His mother is said to have been a woman of great force of mind and energy of character, and nothing daunted by the trials and troubles that beset her, managed to support her family and rear her ofispring in the ways of honor and usefulness. While but a lad, Jack, as he was commonly called, (and which familiar name he retained through life, often using it himself,) obtained a situation in a store as clerk, and contributed his childish earnings t3 the support of his mother's family. He had but few advantages of an early education, and as he often said, using his own language, "the only school I ever "attended was the school of misfortune and my mother's lips, the "books that taught me the precepts of duty and the lessona of "wisdom." Not until he was fast approaching the years of man- hood did he begin to apply his mind to the study of books, and to lay the foundation of that knowledge which made him so use- ful in after years. When about seventeen years of age, and still in doubt as to his future course, his town was thrown into great excitement by an importaiit murder case, then on trial before the Court. Excited by a strong curiosity, the ardent and inquiring boy attended the Court throughout the trial; and, as it progress- ed, his mind became so much absorbed in the case, he said that he could not sleep, often imagining what he would do, if he were the lawyer defending the prisoner at the bar. That incident de- termined the pursuit of his life. He commenced the study of lav7 hy himself. Obtaining a copy of Blackstone, day and night saw him anxiously poring over that vast treasure of lega^ 6 love. jlis naturally bright and ucLiA^e inl])il an.] zoaK-ns nalnre., giving unmistakable evidences of no ordinary promise, and his assiduity in the study of his chosen profession soon attracted tlie attention of Col. Christopli Williams, who invited him to read law in his office, and assisted in fitting him for the practice and in his early eiforts at the bar. As a lawyer Col. Wilcox occupied a high and an honorable position, and became eminent and wide- ly known as an able and successful Criiniiuil Tjawyer. His iStirring eloquence, vivid imagination, warm and enthusiastic heart, and zealous devotion to the interests of his client, how- ever desperate, seemed better to fii him for, and caused him mucli to prefer, that branch of the practice. The cold logic, nice dis- tinctions and technicalities of the civil practice gave him an aver- sion to it, Avhicli, he said, he could nevei overcome. As he delighted in the study of Iniman-nature, wliich he had made the subjeci of profound thought, and possessing gteat knowledge of men, knowing well their weaknesses and prejudices, and strongly believing in the power, or magnetic iniluence of mind over mind, whicli he was conscious of possessing in a high degree, while he did not neglect liis elTorts to convince the judg- ments, his great force and strojigih was in In's appeals to the hearts and sympathies of men. How well he had learned his lesson in the study of the human heart is evidenced by years of success in Jury trials, and in his commanding influence over his fellow-men, whether in the ordinary business affairs of life, or in assemblies met to consider questions of great public interest. So much remains to be said of the deceased, time will not per- mit a more extended review of liis interesting and instructive career as a lawyer; suffice it to say, that his death will be keenl}- felt and deeply lamented by Courts and Juries, by Attorneys and suitors, and most especially by unfortunate prisoners at the bar, who, by his eloquence and kind counsels, have been so often shielded from ihe rigorous penalties of the law. The public career of Col. Wilcox is of more general interest, and is prominently identified with, and forms an important part in llie hisiory v'f llic country, iliuiigh it may not fully develop >ioiiic ol' the nobler and more beautiful traits uf hi.s remarkable ebaraeter. At a very early period, "svlien but a bo}', he es[ioused the eause of the Democratic Party, and iirmly adhered to its principles, as he understood them, until his death In a speech made in the old Congress, in 1852. he said; "I am "a Democrat of the strictest sect; that I am so from principle, and *'have been so long that my memory fails me in the time I iirst "espoused the faith of Democracy." Again he said in the same Congress : ''The first lessons of De- ''mocracy that I ever learned were from the late lamented James ''K. Polk of Tennessee; and the first political speech I ever de- ''livered in my life, when a bo}^ was written by that immortal "statesman." When in 1839 Jas. K. Polk was canvassing the State of Ten- nessee, for Governor, Col. Wilcox, though but nineteen, was se- lected to receive him with a public speech, and he acquitted him- self so well, that Mr.Polk invited him to accompany him in can- vassing the State. The aspiring young politician gladly ac- cepted ; and to that fact he often adverted as his first initiation into political life. As the excitement of political strife suited his youthful vira- city and ambition, and opened an ample field for his love of dec- lamation and the development of his gifted eloquence, and being so early brought under the teachings of that wise and profound Statesman and most skdlful and successful party leader , he soon gained that familiar knowledge of the political questions of the day, and the secret management and open workings'of politi- cal parties, as fitted and destined him to take an early and an active part in the public councils of the country. Col. Wilcox was well versed in the science of our Govern- ment, and had made it a* subject of serious and profound study. In his investigation of principles he did not stop with the history of the timet and the writings of modern Statesmen and political 8 \ Economists; as he said, he traced his prijiciplcs of Democracy to the Bible. There are some here who well remember the interest* ing lecture he delivered before the Saif Antonio Literaiy Associ- ation a few years since, wherein he contended that the Prophet, Moses, was the Father of Democracy. Shortly after making the tour of the State with Mr. Polk, about 1840, he removed with his mother and family to Aberdeen, Miss., as he said in Congress, *'to seek out an honest livelihood;" and ^'shortly after having been in that State (using his owji language) *'I took the stump as a speaker of the Democratic party, and la- thered arduously in the campaign of 1844, and afterwards in *'1848." In his new home his promising talents and constant applica- tion soon gained him a distinguished position at the bar and as a public speaker, and his uniformly courteous and manly bearing, great worth and many noble virtues, won him a wide circle of friends whose affection and esteem time and absence did not change and death cannot extinguish. An appreciating public did not hesitate to confer upon him places of trust and honor. He was twice elected and served as Clerk of the Senate of Mississippi, and was also elected as a Brig. General of Militia und a member of the Legislature. When hostilities broke out between the United States and Mexico, following the patriotic impulses of his nature, he enlisted as a private in Col. Clark's Regiment of Mississippi Volunteers, and, after the close of the war, returned home in command of the Regiment, having been elected its Colonel while in Mexico. Although hisRegiment, I believe, was in no regular engagement^ having l^een detaind for several months in New Orleans from an epidemic which raged among the troops, causing the death of a large number of them, and threatening their entire destruction, as well as from severe sickness in Mexico where many of them died, yet he showed those high soldierly qualities which caused his rapid promotion from the ranks, and for which he wjjs re- peatedly complimented By hit} uittiring dcvoliuii lo his troops in sickness and distress, ^le won their lasting- gratitude and aftection, and exhibited that genuine tenderness and kindness of heart, wliich in him were distinguishing-, exalted, most beautiful and lovely virtues. Col. WiLCox possessed some of the highest (Qualities of a sol dier; he had the head, heart and nerve of a soldier, and knew well a soldier's duty. Could he have had his choice^ he would have gone to the fieldjin this struggle, at the first tap of the drum ; but, believiag hirnsalt designedly neglected by the appointing power, and feeling that from his position in society^ age, experience and past services^to the country, he was deserving of^ and a decent respect to himself required that he should receive, some notice, or request^ to go into the army, from the authorities^ he sought another field of useful- ness where he might faithfull}^ and efficiently serve his country. After returning from the Mexican war, and his State being di- vided into two parties upon the celebrated compromise measures, sometimes known as Mr Clay's Omnibus Bill, — those supporting the bill — styling- themselves "Unionists," and those opposed to it being- styled by its friends "Disunionists," while the opponents of the measures generally disclaimed the title of "Disunionists" or "Secessionists," and claimed to be States Right Democrats, or Whigs- — Col. Wilcox united with the friends, and became a zealous advocate of the measures. In 1850 he was nominated for Congress by the Union Demo- crats of his District in Mississippi^ and elected over CoL Feather- «tone by an overwhelming majority. He took the position be- fore the people that the compromise measures were just and ne- cessary for a settlement of the angry controversy wliich was fear- fully agitating the whole country and threatening a dismember- ment of the States. He contended that he was for Union and peace, against disunion and war. The Com])roniise Bill was pass- ed by Congress at the session previous to his taking his scat. In and out of Congress, he labon^d unceasingly and put forth the whole strength of hio mind and eneigiets to desLiuy the efforts ot 10 those whom ho believed were seekiiyg to break up the Union. Soon after entering Congress, in a speech referring' to the com- promise measures and the different parties in Mississippi, lie said; "that he was here as a Jackson, Union Democrat, as contra dis- "tinguished from a Secession, Disunion Democrat." * * "And declared the Democratic party to be the Constitutional "Union party. He denied the Constitutional right of any State to Secede; and in a subsequent speech contended that no such doctrine was contained in the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions of 1798. Notwithstanding he believed that a Disunion party existed in the South, which he severely deprecated, yet, having full confi- dence in the patriotism and earnest devotion of the Southern people to the Constitution and the Union, as a solemn and pro- phetic warning, he said, "that if the time should ever come when "the Union should be dissolved, and when the starry flag of our "country should be tore asunder, this sin would lie at the door of "the gentlemen of the North. He hoped, then, they would cease "their fanatic interference with tlie institutions of the South, and, "from this moment, that all would forget the ills which camo "well-nigh sinking the ship of State." In justice to the honesty and consistency of the deceased, I must say that, as to the right of peaceable Secession, however much we maj^ have differed with him upon that ([uestion, in which I believe he was in error, he never changed his views. He clung to the old Union with a patriotic devotion, and a? ith all the tenacity of his ardent and impulsive nature, as long as there was a hope of preserving the Constitutional rights of the States, the great corner stone upon which it was founded. Bui, upon the election of Abraham Lincoln, when be saw the Old Government passing into the hands of a blind, bigoted, nn reasonable, and fanatical Abolition party, sworn to the destruc tion of the dearest rights of his section, and that Secession and the establishment of an independent Southern Confederacy was the 'only remedy to preserve his State and native South, and the u :Vrcat prIi)ci[)los of Constitntloiial lil^erty fmni IncvitaMr* rnin,'in all the graudeur of his noble nature he rose above prejudices and settled opinions of years standing; freely sacrificed his strong love and attachment for the old Union; and was among the very first to inaugurate and boldly advocate the cause of Secession. lie saw that longer argument and reason for the preser. vation of the rights of the States would be in vain; that the Old Union was but a deep yawning gulf of ruin for the South; and that her only safety was in speedy and permanent separa- tion. He said, "it matters not what name you give it, whether ''Secession, Revolution, or Civil War, 'the first law of nature, "self-preservation,' demands that it should be done." Although Col. Wilcox served but one term in the old Congress, iie occupied an important position in that body; he was Chairman of the Committee on Militarj^ Affairs where he acquitted him- self with credit and rendered much valuable service to the coun- try. The young Statesman soon gave marked evidences of pro- mise and distinction. In 1852, still a member of Congress in Washington, he married Miss Mary E. Donelson, a daughter of Hon. Andrew Jackson DoNELso.v, of Tennessee, a gentleman of high public note and of considerable fortune; she was a lady of an accomplished educa- tion, of refinement, and of great force of character; a companion most wisely chosen to aid him in his future career and to bestow upon their ofis})ring a mothers care and a mothers blessings. Here, I stop to lift the somber veil of mourning and enter the family circle. Tread lightly; we walk on sacred ground ;the Angel of Death has been there ; in that once happ}-- home sorrow reigns ; a widowed motlior with two helpless childreit, too young to realize- tnisfortune or feel the pangs of grief, v)eeps ccione ; broken-heart- ed, and bowed down b}^ the ciushing weight of bitter anguish,, slic bends in mournful and solemn meditation over the noble imag-e of her departed companion. It was lierc, that the deceased exhibited the loveli(\st trail^j of 12 character He was a kiod master — a rareful, indulgent, fond andde\oted father - a tender, loving-, sympathizing, yielding and pleasant husband, and a watchful protector, — giving- comfort, joy and cheerfulness to the whole house-hold. The deceased and his surviving partner, as the heads of a family, by their uniform urbanity, modest though lofty bearing, exemplary kindness, liberality and active public spirit, and by their strict regard for truth, guarded language and delicate res- pect for the feelings and reputations of others, were bright orna- :ments, giving an elevated tone and character to society. No circle was too high or too humble, if respectable, for them to en- ter; their door was fieely opened and their hospitality lavished to all deserving; they extended the hand of courtesy and kind attention to the stranger, generously gave to the needy, and ad- ministered consolation to the affficted. Well may their example be emulated ! Again we pass to the public life of the deceased. In 1852 he was a delegate to the Baltimore Convention, which non^inated Mr. Pierce for President, and with the Uon. Steven A. Douglass canvassed the Northern States in support of the Democratic no- minees. Soon after, he again became a candidate for Co-agrcss, but, from some change in the political parties of Mississippi, was defeated by a very small majority, the only reverse, I believe, he ever met with as a candidate before the people; excepting as a Presiden- tal Elector on the ticket of Mr. Filmore in 1856. In 1854 Col. Wilcox removed with his family to Texas, and settled in San Antonio, as he said^ for weal or for woe, intending to make it his home for the balarce of his life. His career in Texas is so well known by those present, that it needs but a cursory review. Upon his arrival here, he entered at once into an active and lucrative practice of the law, and from his previonsly high reputa- tion, popular mannei's and talents, he soon took a prominent and commanding position at the bar. 13 Upon tlio org'anlzation of ilio Ainerienn, or "Know Nolliinpc" Party, he becaine one o^ its leading and nu»f>i ablo monilters; an(? in 1856 was one of the Khjciors for the State, on the ticket of FiLMORF, and DoNKi-soN; and he ever maintained tliat the ]>rinci})h'8 of tlnit ])arly, as to foreigiu^ra, were correct, and that if lliey had been adopted and carried out at an early ))eriod of tlu» history of our conntry, we might have avoided, or at least put ofl'for many years, the unfortunate war now upoa us. And such too is now the opinion of many of the iirst men of the South, wdio wei-e moat bitterly opposed to the American Party, As I have previously stated, upon the election of Lincoln, Co). Wilcox was among the very first to inaugurate the cause of Se- cession in Western Texas. He entered into it with his whole mind, soul and eneigies, lie seemed to rise above himself, and show^cd a higher order of ability than at any previous period of his life. As tlio cause ])rogressed and new difficulties pre- sented themselves, he seemed to grow in greatness and useful- nesB. He was a deligate in the Convention of Texas which passed the Ordinance of Secession, and aftcn'wards elected and re-elect- ed as a member of tiie Confederate Congress from this District, which i)osition he occupied at the time of his death. As to the in'incijdes and general views of the deceased i-elative to the present w^ar and questions of public interest, I believe I w^as well conversant. He was a patriot in the highest sense. He not only possessed the two distinguishing qualities, which Demosthenes said belong- ed to the virtuous citizen: "a zeal for the honor and pre-eminence *'of the State in his official conduct; and on all occasions ami in "all transactions an aifection for his conntry ;" hut with him his country was next to his God, nnd on lier altar he held as a will- ing sacrifice "his fortune, his life and sacred honor." A child and disciple of Democracy, he w\as a firm believer ir> the Avisdom and practicabilty of the great principle of "Constitu- tional Liberty" as carried out in our system of Government. 14 '7"no :.'n:.';]is]i li})Gr;ilirit. ilovu Tooko. but oxpro.^.soii th(_' yonti- fnenls of his lieart: "Kqaul rights, e((vial laws, and blcsi^ingK sliall nonrisli ; "IV.aa!, justice, aiul ])lt'iity lu'ncct(>rvvav"%