Upon one occasion, the party with which he acted determined, to defeat a certain measure, to leave the chamber in a body, and break the quorum.  It was the only means in their power to prevent a measure which they deemed wrong in principle and injurious to the public interest.  Jenkins thought such extreme measures wrong, and entirely unjustifiable.  Though as much opposed to the views of the majority as any member of his party, he refused to participate in their action, and was the only member of the party who persistently remained in his seat.  This conduct was censured by his party friends, and he immediately resigned his seat and returned to his constituency, who, knowing and appreciating the great worth of the man, returned him at once to his seat under a new election.  In all the relations of life the same traits of character have distinguished him.  While at the Bar, his rank was the first; this, combined with his integrity and great firmness, made him so conspicuous before the people of the State, that he was placed on the bench of the Supreme Court—­a position he distinguished by his great legal attainments, dignity, and purity.

The political opinions of Judge Jenkins were in many of their features unpopular.  He was always opposed to universal suffrage, and made no secret of his sentiments.  He was opposed to an elective judiciary, and to mob-rule in every shape.  He despised alike the arts and the humiliation of party politicians, and was never a man to accept for public trust any man whose only recommendation to public favor was his availability, because of his popularity with the masses.  He was taken from the supreme bench to fill the gubernatorial chair of the State, and no man, not even Jackson, Early, or Troup, ever more dignified this elevated position—­none ever had the same trying difficulties to encounter.  Chosen by the people at a period when civil war had distracted the government and uprooted all the landmarks so long the guide for those who preceded him—­when a manifest determination of the so-called Congress, representing but two-thirds of the States, was apparent to usurp all power—­when the State governments of ten States, though that of their people, were threatened with military usurpation, Jenkins remained firm to his convictions of duty.  The credit of the State had never suffered while under his guardianship; a large amount was in her treasury; this was an objective point for the usurpers.  He met the military satrap, and was assured of his intentions.  Satisfied of his insincerity and dishonesty, knowing he held the power of the bayonet, and would be unscrupulous in its use, calm as a Roman senator he defied the power of this unprincipled minion of a base, corrupt, and unconstitutional power, and deliberately removed the treasure of the State, and applied it to the liquidation of her obligations.  Hurled from the office bestowed by his fellow-citizens, so far as he could he protected their interests, at