Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-08-08

on the eccentric youth with wondeu
and amazcment. He became popular
and was finally received as a SUDDEN,
into the office Of Alexander Smy,h,
Esq, an eminent lawyer 10 that pa ri
OF the State. and afterwards comman.
der OF our Northern army, in the war
Of 1912.
| Shelley was now in his long desired
situation. Disposing of his tools, he
toiled necessarily in his new vocation,
and improved rapidly. Here, with his
own hand did he lay the basis of his
future fame, and resolved to avoid the
application TO himself Of the verse OF
Gray:
Full many q gem Of puresi ray serene,
The dark usfathomed caves Of ocean bear:
Full many flower 10 born TO blush unseep.
| And waste its sweetness on the desert air."
Who supplied his wants during his
residence with Mr.. Smyth. have not
been able to learn. Soon after his adj
mission TO the bar Of Wythe county,
he was called on to enter the list with
his old friend and patron, whom he
handled with so much dexierity and
adroltness, that it was generally said
| among the mass Of the community, the
apprentice will soon surpass the master.
So it happened. MIR. Sheffsy was EN-.
ployed in all the important causes Of
that court, and soon extended his prac-
tlce to several adjoining countless
His professional brethren, however EN-.
ineni, admired his powers, and treated
him on all occasions with respect and
kindness. In the county and superior
courts Of law and chancery, he was
uniformly heard with unaffected plea
sure, both by court and Jury. HIS
humble origin, mengre education. and
the singular incidents Of bis lie, ava.
kened the feelings and curiosity Of his
audience, while they were at once de.
lighted and enlightened by the efforts
Of lis powerful and original intellect.
After some years, he settled in Staun-
ton, where he soon commanded an ex-
tenslve and lucrative practice. lie of.
ten represented the county Of Augusta
in the House of Delegates, and in 1911
we find him in Congress, busily enga-
ged in the important events oftnat Try
ing crisis. His speech in favor of
renewal Of the charter Of the first
Bank of the United States, WITS a mas
te,ly combination Of sound argument
and conclusive facts: for three hours
profound silence prevailed and the
most experienced statesmen were u.s.
tonished at this exhibition Of his talents.
He was opposed to the declaration of
war in 1912. Ever on the side of his
country, he felt indignant at the iniu.
ries which our commerce had sustain.
ed on the high sens: the impressmen,
Of our seameD, and the mui der Of our
citizens within our own waters: vet
he thought that these difficulties might
b. adjusted by negotiation, and that
the last resort ofnntions might be avoi-
ded. He painted in glowing colors the
horrors Of war and the blessings of
pence, and spoke Of the treasure hich
must be wasted, and the blood hich
would be shed; The danger to our civil
institutions amidst the clangor Of arms
and tie shout of victory, aud implored
his fellow citizens to pause Gro the
country was plunged into the dangers
which he foreboded. 1t was in vain.
Mr.. Sheffey, however. always r, joiced
in the success Of our arms. Sometimes
in the ardor OF debate, he was attacked
rather uncourteously by some of his
political opponents, but they never es-
capped the severity Of lis retort, and
were often entirely overwhelmed. The
celebrated and eccentric John Ran
dolph Of Roanoke, was for many years
the Ajax lebanon of the House oil
Representatives, whose bitterness OF
satire no man could Withstand. He
once took occasion. in commenting on
a speech Of Mr.. Shelley, to say that
"the shoemaker ought not to 60 be-
yond his last" Quick as the light
ning's fash, he replied, elf the gentle
man had ever been on the bench, he
would never have left IT," TIE Vir.
gina orator never renewed the ut
tack.
He served for several years in the
councils Of his country. and withdrew
to the practice Of his profession a,
Staunion. A numerous family now
reminded him, that intense diligence
would be requisite, not only TO supply
their wants, but to sustain his fame.
For long time he ioiled necessarily
IN the courts Of Virginia and occasion.
ally was engaged in the Supreme Court
Of the United States. In December
1880, he had been attending court il
Nelson county, and started for home
IN perfect health. He travelled about
twelve miles, and stopped at tavern
for the night. Hardly had he taker
his seat, when on apoplectic fit mum
| L.. L.