Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1838-07-19

original intellect After some years. he
seited IN Staunton, where he soon com
nahded an extensive and lucrative prac-
hce. HE often represented the county
oi Augusta IN the House OF Delegates,
and IN 1911 We find him in Congress. bu.
silly engaged IN the important events of
'ha' trying oli,is. His speech in favor Of
aIenewsl OF the charter OF the first Bank
oil the United States. was 4 mss,erlv COM
o'naiion Of sound argument aud conclu-
sive facts: for three hours profound silence
prevailed; and the most experienced
statesmen were astoni,hed al this exhibi.
uoa OF bi' talcnts. lie was opposed 10
the declaration Of war IN lSI2 Ever on
The side OF bis country he Eel. indignant
At the injuries which our commerce haG
sustained on the high seas: the impress.
| meni oil our :eamen, aud the murder Of
our ci.izens within our own waters; vet
he thought that these difficulties might
he adjusted by negotiation. and that the
list resort al nations might lie AVOIDED
Tie painted IN glowing oolors The horrors
OF war and the blessings Of peace, and
spoke OF the treasure which must be vast.
ed and the blood which would be she'd;
The danger 10 our civil institutions ar.ilst
Tho clingor of arms aud tho shout OF VIC
tory. and irnplorcd his fellow citizens TO
pause ere the country vas plunged into
The DANGER which he iorebodvd. IL wa.
IN VAN. MIR Shelley. however. always
I TeJoiced IN the success oil our arms -
Sometimes IN the aTdor Of debate. he vas
attacked rather uncourtcously bv some OF
ht' political opponents. bot they never cs.
capped ihc severity Of hi, re,ort. and were
often entirely overw helmed. The ccle-
, braicd aud eccentric John Randolph of
Roanoke. was for msny years the Ajax
lebanon Of the House OF Representatives.
whose bitterness OF satire no man could
Withstand. He once took occasion, in
commenting on speech Of Mr.. Shefley
10 say that the shoemaker ought not TO
20 beyond his list" Quick as the light.
ning's flash, lie replied. i If the gentle
man had ever beer on the bench, lie would
never have LEFT it. The Virginia orator
never renewed the attack.
lie served for several years in the coun-
ellis OF LIS oountry. and withdrew 10 the
practice OF las profession at S,aunton.-
y numerou. family now reminded him.
that Intense diligence would be requisite
/ hSN O'''1 W ulilN AHtiI WANG, Dht 10 SuS-
tain his fame. For long time he ,oilrd
necessarily in the courts OF Virginia. and
occasionally wa. engaged IN the Supreme
] Cour! of the United States. In Deem
Der lS3O. he had been attending court
IN Nelson county, aud started for home IN
/ perfect health. He travelled about lively.
miles, and stopped at tavern for the
night. Hardly had he taken his seat
when an apopleclie mt numbered him
( with the dead
Thus died an extraordinary man. " no
by the native yigor OF hi, intellect. aud the
! force oi industry. occupied q Conspicuous
station among the l'a'riotlc and dls,in.
! goIshed men of Amencs.
There was nothing dignifed in the per.
son Of Mr.. Shelley: he was low Of stature,
his manners by no means polished, all was
I PLAIN, energetic, original. Ills pronunc ia-
ton was not agreeable: his German &C.
cent sounded heavy on tee ear; vet the
most rehned audience always paid TO him
the most profound attention. In the al.
gument Of his causes. he seized on the
strong points OF the law and evidence.
and maintained his positions with a cour-
age and zeal which no difficulties could
su bdue. Like Patrick Henry. he was the
artIiloer of his own fortunes, and like
/ him, IN after life, lamented that in his car
~ DAYS the lamp OF science had she'd but
feeble ray over the path along which II
was his destiny 10 travel.