Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-08-29
FOR TIE ENQvIRER.
SKETCH OF MIR. BARRY.

For those political and military events which shed N
'hese incidents additional interest, recourse must be had TO
The history OF the times in which he has borne a patt so
elevated.
William Taylor Barry was born OH the 18Th dav of Fs.
ornary. 1881. IN Lnnenbnrg county, Virginia; emigra,ed
with his parents TO Kentucky in 1896; commenced his
Classical education at woodfOrd Academy; graduated a,
The iransyivania University, with high reputation as a
scholar; entered upon the study OF law with the Hon.
JAS. Bro Sn, late Minister TO France. aud completed his
legal education at the William and Mary Coileg OF his
In 1905, Mr.. Barry entered into the practice OF law in
fayette aud the adjoining counties, ia Kentucky, aud was
soon alter appointed Attorney Tor the Commonwealth.
In 1907. and for several years subsequently,, he wa.
electeI TO represent Fayetie county, in the Legislature Of
that State. almost wiihout opposition.
In 1905. he was appointed Lieutenant of a Troop of
horse, raised, principally by his exeItions, for service in
case OF war, aud was .oon afterwards comnis.ionej c.
tain OF the same, BY Governor Grecnup.
In 1910, he was elected. without opposition, from the
Oldest district in Kentucky, to fill the vacancy in Congress,
Of Missouri Territory.
In 1918, Mr.. Barry performed the duties of Secretary
ana Aid-d',canp to The venerable and patiioiic Governor
SheIOy' oil Aehtucky, then IN command of the volunteer
lorce OF 1000 men,, raised for the defence OF the North
Western frontier; aud la',ook Of the dangers aud gloiies
Of that evenlfui campaign.
In 1914, Mr.. Barry was again elected a member of the
Legislature; was chosen Speaker OF The House of Repre-
sentaiises, and soon after elected TO the Senate of the
United States. a short time subsequent to the close of
the war, he retired from tile Senate, and accepted the of.
hee OF Circuit Judge, rendered 20 him by Gov. Shelby.
In lSla, under the excitement OF the "new election
question: as IL was termed, he was induced, by the .ur-
gent persuasions OF his tiiends, 10 resign his seat on the
bench, aud offer himself as a candidate for the State Sc
nate, and was elected.
In 1920. he was elected 1t, Governor Of Kentucky by
an overwhelming majority, and by the attainment OF that
Office became the presiding officer OF the Senate.
In 1872, he " as elected Professor Of Law in the Univer-
sty oil Trsnsylvania, ond continued 10 fill the chair of
that department untIihis removal 10 Frankfort. in 1925. for
the purpose OF resuming the practice of his profession. Az
this time, the Office OF Secretary of State being vacant, il
was offered to htm by the Governor elect. and accepted.
On the reorganization OF the Appellate Court OF Ken
tlcky, Mr. Barry was appointed Chief Justice, which of
nee he reluctantly accepted, and continued to hold until
1875, when the law for lis reorganization was repealed.
~ 1870, hir. Barry ives nominated as the Democratic
candidate Tor the office Of Governor of Kentucky.
Soon alter the installation OF Andre Jackson, in the
high office TO which he WAS called in 1929, by the voice
oil his grateful counirymen, Nj. Barry was nominated to
the Senate as Postmaster General Of the United States,
aud his nomination confirmed by that body, without a dis
sen'ing vote. He accepted the appointment, and imme-
disteiy repaired to " ashington, and took uron himself the
discharge OF the arIuous duties Of that extensive Depar,-
mem, of which he still remsiDs the head.
Such have been the numerous and highly responsible
stations filled by the suhiect of this sketch, within a period
oil less than twenty five years.
IL may not be inappropriate 10 add a few remarks, tend
ing to illustrate Mr.. Bsrry's claims TO the confidence he has
enjoyed ia his public career, and 10 point 10 those politi-
cal events connected with il. These viii be found to serve
a material purpose, in guiding the opinions OF any one de-
'irous oil forming a just estimate of hi, merits and chsrac-
ter, and useful as an index for the pen OF the biographer.
MIR. Barry seems TO have inherited that devotion 10 the
cause OF Liberty, which induced his father TO become one
OF It's champions, in the wars Of the Revolution which pre-
coded the independence OF the United States; and with ii,
TO have been endowed by nature with abilities aud elo-
quence OF a high order, and peculiarly fitting hin TO OBJ
-. fNNP'N' ""N'S touoS Oh Az Z
casions, he has enetgetcslly espoused.
He had barely attained his majority, when, as a member
OF the Legislature Of Kentucky, he is TO be found warm-
" advocating the principles OF the Jefersonian school in
politics, aud concurring in the resolutions introduced into
The Legislature Of that period, embracing topics OF great
national Importance, growing ont OF the difficulties Ihcn
existing between the United States and Great Britain; and
calculated TO give support TO the measures OF the existing
Administration. He was, also, to be found, on all proper
occasions, mingling with public assemblies oil the people,
and urging Upon them, with all the force OF his intellect,
and all the ardour Of his eloquence, the necessity of re.
flgtance by the General CoVerntnenf of tho Stataa n liz
renewed entertainments aud insults OF the former oppres-
sor OF the American Colonies. He placed before them,
IN bold relief. the history Of tie aggressoDs aud injuries
'nat mao teen heaped upon the nailon-sggres'ion that
should be reFelled, and injuries demanding alonement In
'hs field, Mr.. Bsrry's exeriions were extremely effective
in giving that tone to public sentiment required for the
support OF the Administration against, a powerful pariy-a
party, whose motto has ever been, TO "ruIe or ruin; - and
who, at that time, seemed willing that the free institutions
OF their couniry-'ihe last hope Of maD'-should perish,
and tue lives Of its citizens be jeopsfdised, rather than that
the cause OF the people should triumph.
la Congress, Oh the floor OF the House OF Representa-
lives, MIR. Barry was an efficient member Of That party
which advocated the adoption Of strong measures to obtain
redress Tor tile wanton outTages committed on our Navy
and Commerce.. Here, as throughout bis whole lie, the
cause OF his country was his %csuse-her honor, his honor
her enemies, his enemies.
In 1872, war was declared, and Mr. Barry proceeded
TO give practical evidence Of the sincerity of the principles
which had influenced him throughout, on the pending
question Of peace or war-ihat his, at least, was no Clip
service" lie Fitted out al different lines, aud al his own
expense, a young man who had been raised and educated
in his family, for the campsign under General Hopkins. and
for Colonel JohDson's perlous expedition. Many men
would be satisfied with The measure Of their patriotism in
the reflection, that in lie hour OF danger their voices were
heard on The eide Of their country o hers there are, who,
having contributed o portion Of heir means 10 aid in its
defence, VIII dwell with complacency on their sacrifices
TO tie public veal; but, with Mr.. Barry, enough had not
been done, so long as anything remained 10 DO; aud he
therefore determined 10 peril bis own lie 10 promote the
success Of those measures lac had SO boldly advocated in
debate, and so freely aided with his purse. Accordingly,
we next find Mr.. Barry acting in a military capacity i'm
The campaign of1S13, under Gov. shelby.
In his military career, new honors a1siied him. His
gallant conduct at the battle Of the Thames was mention.
Ell Ia terms Of high commendoiionb by the Commanding &c.
neral. ~ bis Dispatches to the Secretary Of War; md Al
the close Of The campaign, Gov. Shelby, IN taking leave
tho occasion, weIl-me,ifed praise for his ability aud COZ.
duct.
IL may not be irrelevant 10 mention here, that The re-
suits oil That campaign tended greatly 10 dispetse that gloom
which had oyersbddOwed The country, in consequence OF
Tie prior W suceess Of our arns,-smoug which services.
were, the surrender Of Hull, At Detroit. the massacrcs Al
river Rsison, and Maumte, as well as other minor strokes
Of ~ fortune or ~ conduct.
BY again following Mr.. Barry during the short period
that he remained in the Senate Of the United States, We
shall hnd him, al y time when innexibility Of purpose was
The most desirable quality in the councils OF the nation,
The upwsvefiug supporter nf al measures calculated for The
honor, or interest Of bis country for prosecuting the war to
a successful termination.
On fbe"ne v election question" 10 Kentucky; and in the
excitement originating In the struggle between the peo-
pie and Judges IN that State-in which the former claim.
ed the right 10 make such laws as were demanded hy
The wants Of The community and The latter endeavoured
10 restrict tbat right--Mr. Bsrry, sili true 10 his esflv
principles, appeared sgsin in the field ~ the champion Of
Democracy, and against tho claim ever set up by lie enc
mics, 10 the right ot a few 20 exercise that power which
he Constitution recognizes As existing only ia the people