Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-12-03
Quis desidesfO SIT pudor aut mOdus
Tam carl capitis2
cui Pudor Ell .Juytifio sor0s..
incorrapin Fides, nudaquc Ttritas
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cui PudOr Ell Juytifir soror.
IncoTTupfa Fides, nudaquc Ttrifas
euGridO u!i,kn, Inueniet pareni?
AT the UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, on Satur-
day. afternoon, the li,hinstant, JOHN a. G.
DAVIS, PROFESSOR OF LAW in that institu-
ton, died, IN his 18th year, Of a shot receiv-
ed, nearly two days before, from pistol by
the hands Of disguised student, whom Pro-
fessor Davis had just endeavored to arrest and
discover. The offender is in custody of the
Law: our present concern is with the lament
ed dead.
Mr.. DAVIS had filled the Iaw-C Chair for ra-
ther more than ten years: and never, as we YER
lily believe, was any office, in this or any other
country, discharged with more perfect, or
unanimous, appreciation ofall competent iudg-
cs. Appointed when very young, and when
lew had perceived the powers of his mind or
the extent OF his knowledge, he speedily ST.
fenced every murmur by the soundness Of his
legal doctrines, the depth and acuteness ofhis
views, and the lucidness OF his expositions.
Added to this, his methods OF importing in
struction were SO happy, and his zeal and in
dustry so untiring, that students of his were
always found imbued with the very largest
quantum OF professional knowledge for which
they had capacity. As an expounder of the
L. ;. Constitution, lie adopted those opinions
of the Virginia, or Unitarian school--which
seem now to be on the point of universal pre-
valence through the Union, as the only rules
OF construction which canpreserve the adjust
lnent of our system, settled by its tramers.-
Some OF his Lectures on these topics embody
arguments rarely surpassed in ability, and
well justify the high and widely difused re-
| spect he has won, as Il Constitutional Law
| yer.
His heart was as warm and pure. as his
mind was clear, well stored and strong. Ills
whole walk was but ore course Of uprirh,ness
and beneficence. He was so CONSCIENTIOUS.
that, in all cases Of doubt touching his own
nights, his decisions were sure to be against
himself 1t is needless to speak Of him as a
husband and father. To all men he was
courteous; to the afflicted, kind; to his friends,
a!iectionate; and to his pupils, all these at
once. Bear witness, many student whose
welfare In health, and whose relief in sick
| ness, he has watched over and striyen for
with parents tender care, In the death
hour, his justice and bengnity were shining
~ displayed. He refused to say who lie
thought 1t was, that gave him the mortal
wound, lest he might involve some innocent
mainland declared, that he did not wish one
hair of the slayer's head to be hurt! Thank
\ lleaven-the parracide was not of the Law
class, or Nirginia-born.
AS Professor, and as Chairman Of the
Faculty-which Office he filled longer than
any ether one did-Mr. ID. was foremost III
maintaining the discipline and promoting the
best interests o! the University. Temperate,
gentle, firm and judicious, he seemed born to
curb and guide, the heady spirits of Southern
youth. His brother Professors would proba.
bly, agree with the community, that, in him
the Institution has lost its main-stay-itS
most precious jewel. But the mourning il
f which all hearts there, and in society around
, are CLAD, Is nothing TO the agony of his house
, hold. lie left widow and seven children.
, About six years ago, Mr.. j.. embraced
r Christianity, becoming member oftfc Epis
{ copal Church--and well did he illustrate hi,
faith by his works. His religion was mild
; tolcrantand uIob, Notwithstanding placi.
5 stream, whose ripple is scarcely heard bu
S Its course is marked by verdyre aud fertility
and It's face reflects t]eaven.-.9rcrG.
The ascertained number Of inhabitants i
the city of Washinrton is 227I1 IrcTcas