Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1838-07-16
SELECTIONS.
From The Southern Literary Ncsscagtf
DANIEL SHEFFEY.

From The Southern Literary Ncsscag1f
DANIEL SHEFFEY.
DANIEL SurrrEY was born in Frederick Mary
land, in 1870. HIS education inconsicrable
At an early age his father taught him the trade OF
shoemaker. lie continued 10 work with him until
he attained manhood. The house vet stands
where he spent, in this occupalion many long and
wearlsome years OF his HE. Wmlc engaged on his
bench he was frequently observed, during sieisure
moments, to be Intensely occupied in the perusa al
some author Tor his instruction or amusement. By
moonlight he to be found in his fathers garden
making observations OF the heavenly bodies with tel
Escapes, which he had borrow ed aud then again he
was buried IN profound meditation while detecting
the errors OF mathematical or philosophical works.
which occasionally met his eye The arcana of ma
iure, and the mysteries OF ASTRONOMY constantly cx
cfcised his strong and fertile genus. His more
discerning friends that he would one day be
ranked among the distinguished men OF his county
Yet none we've so generous and dislnterested as to
assist ms eiurts with pecunlary resources or 10 pol
ish the uusighrly diamond with the fostering hand of
'dncaion. His lime was chiefly spent "a his trade
Arrived n manhood. lie left his fathers house with
no other property than his tools, aud travelled ON foot
10 Winchester, Virginia where he worked as a ionr-
neyman for some months, IN the shop OF a respectable
mechanic. Having thus raised funds snficicn, TO
supply his present wants. lie out again in IN,
suit Of employment. haltng al the different Village,
Through winch lie passed. on his route along the
valley IN order TO raise has expenses by his labor un-
ii he arrived at Abbcyi,lr Wythe county rs poo, ne
ever lie knew no one bore letters of int totluc
ton was rIcndless and destitute STRANGER -,
strange land. Here he commenced =, his ,,,Io
once more The novelty and originality of hls
character, aud the flashes OF genius which pnyen,d
ms conversation, often compelled his newly acou,-
red friends 10 look on the eccentric youth with
wonder aud amazment. lie became popular. and
was finally received student into The office IF
Ter ESu
part of the state, and afterwards commander Of our
northern amy IN the war of 1912.
Shchey was now ~ his long desired siit,a tion -
Dsposng OF his tools, lac tocd necessarily IN his
new vocation, and improved rapidly. Here, with
Ina" how'd. -d 10 Ivy ,,u hn-i, Of h, ..,rr- e..
a"" resolved 10 avoid the application to himself of
the verse of Gray: "
- run many gem Of pnresi INV serene
l. ne dark uniathomcd caves of ot can tenr
nii many a flower is horn 10 blush unseen
AHu waste ns sweetness the desert mir
Who supplied his wants during his ,es;.c,co ,,;,,,
MI Snyih have not been able to learn Soon
after ms admission TO the bar Of Wythe county hc
was e"ed on to enter the lists with lIis old lrien,nd
patron, whom he handled with so much dcxt,,,,,
and "atohnesS, that IT was generally said among the
mass OF the community, the apprentice will soon sur
pass tue master. Sol happened.-Mr Shelley was
employed IN all The important causes of tina, rou,,
anu soon extended ms practice to several adjoining
counties. lbs professional brethren, however emf.
nenf, admired his powers, and treated him ON all DC
'aslons win respect aud Kindness. In the county
ana superior courts of law and chancery he was mn
formly heard With unaffected pleasure both by cour
andJury. Ills humble origin me aglc education an,
the singular incidents al his life, awa enrd the
'ngs and curiosity Of his audience, while they wer,
AT once delighted and emil htcned by the efforts Of
ms powerful aud original intellect. After som,
years, he settled IN Staunton, where he soon com
tnanded an extensive aud Lucrative practice lie of
ten represented the county OF Augusta in the Hans,
oi Delegates, aud IN lsll we find him in Congress
pusy engaged N tie important events of that try nc
CRISIS His speech in favor of a renewal of the char
ter oil the first bank Of the United States was mas
terry combination OF sound argument and conclusy,
Facts Tor three hours profound silence prevailed
ana the most experienced statesmen were astopish
81 at tins exhibition Of his talents. lie was onnos
ed 10 Tue declaration OF war IN 1872 Ever on th,
side OF his country, lie felt indignant n the nn,ic
when our commerce had sustained on The hiul
seas me lmprcssment OF Our scancn and the mur
der oil our citizens within our own waters We, h,
thought that these difficulties mipht he ad,sieJ h,
negotiation, and that the last resort of n,t;nns
ne avoided lie painted IN glowing colors the hor
i"fs oil war and the blessings of peace and smoke -
the treasure which must be wasted and the bloo,
winch would be shed thc danger TO our civil inst,
tuhons amidst the clangor of arms and The sbnn,s ~
victory and 'mplored hs fellow citizens to pause or
inc county was plunged into the dangers which IN
lofeDodeu. 1t was IN vain. Mr. Sheffey however
always reJoiced in the success of our ar,ns-Somc
times IN the ardor Of debate he was attacked r,,be
ANONYMOUSLY by some Of his political opponents
but they never escaped the severity OF his retor am
were often entirely overwhelmed. The celebrated
anu eccentric Jnhn Randolph of Roanoke. was fy
many years the Ajax lebanon of the House q
Representatives, whose bitterness of satire no ma
coulu Withstand. lie once took OCCASION in com
inen,ng on speech of MI Shency 10 saw ,hn, . n
shoemaker ought not to 90 beyond his last" Ouic
Us The lishtnng's fash, lie replied if rha, gentle
man had ever been on the bench lie womb move
have left IT," The Virginia orator never renewed III
attack. "
lie served Tor several years in the councils Of hi
couniry,when lie withdrew to the practice oibs proles
SION at Stannton. numerous family now remind
ed hm, that intense diligence would be requisite. No
only 10 supply their wants. but sustain his fam,
FOR long time he toilcd necessarily in the courts
virginia, and occasionally was engaged in the su
preme court Of the United States. In Deccmbe,
1880 he bad been attending court in Nelson coun,X
anu started ior home M perfect health. Heir,yel
'ed aoouttwelve miles, aud stopped Al tavern 70
the night. Hardly had he taken his seat when a
aptopiectic ut numbered him with the dead
linus died an extraordinary man. who, BY the ma
tive v'soi OF his intellect and the force of industry
occupied conspicuous station among the patriot
anu distinguished men Of America.
r., mere was nothing dignfed in the person of Nj
nhchey he was low OF stature his manners he N,
means polished; all plain, energetic, orieip,,
MS pronunciation was agreeable In, f;erm,,
accent sounded heavy ON he ear ~, ,I. NM, ,o