Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-09-26

| thropy, aud commented by the ffesuenlNo he Sol-
He continued in the War q. partment until 1875.
when he received al the hands of the President ard
| Senate, the appointment Ct Minister TO the mt
| couu in the world. The important and de.iea'e
questions pending between this country and tns-
land made the heart OF the President to select
| ne an % gan OF our Government. m indy d AL ~
suitable qualifications TO bring them 10 an hcnora1
| aud sat siaetory conclusion. The eoneia,ory man'
| ners OF Govern q Barbour his tact and good sense,
his accurate and minute information in relation TO
the history and subjects of difference be,~een the
two nations, and his pure American teenog, psen-
liariy fitted him for the Responsible MISSION. ihe
favorable s,ion he made during his short SOC
iourn abroad accorded fully with the hopes and ex,
| pecta,ions OF the Government. But, IN few
month"; power passed into other hands, and this pa
triot cray in his counry's service, was the first
victim to that prescription which scourged the land
| Of boosted liberty. General jackson recalled him
in 1929, and thus closed the last act in his political
dr ms.
| He retired TO home, family, and friends dear
to HIN, sustained by the highest ofall earthly COM
forts, CONSEQUENCES OF recitude of purpose, and
devotion Of the prime Of his life to the service Of his
country. He resumed with the energy ana ardot
OF youth the pursuit Of agriculture, that nobes and
most vrtuous OF all temporal callings tie laborcd
20 advance its interest by precept and example, and
fe.t that in so doing he was diseharging duty TO
his family and country. Although in retirement, he
was not an indifferent spectator Of passing events
On one hand, he lamented the usurpat'ons OF Eek
ecutve power; the other, the tendency OF sister
State to shoot widely from its sphere. The doc
ttinc OF nullhcation he always regarded as poll
teal heresy, and secession Ms its twin sister. An
in the of l799 with its author he denied
| that notification legitimate offspring OF
"Madisou's Report" They both affirmed that
fotciblc resistance TO tho laws Of Congress not
in the contemplation of the Virginia Legislature;
but appeals TO the States, TO the nation TO public
opinion, TO peAceable and constitutional remedies. to
reverse its legislation. During the period of South
Carolina nullhcatlon he felt the enSeles OF every
true patriot in the land and ever cherished our glo
rlous Union as the sheet anchor of our political
safety, and the only hope Of Americas fulfilling her
high destiny.
To the Administrations of General Jackson and
MIR Van Buren, he upon principle directly op-
posed. He regarded them as usurpins for the ES-
| ecutive powers dangerous TO liberty, and admins
tering the Government more for the advantage Of
party than the good Of the country.
In 1889 he was member OF the Harrisburg Con
ven,'on, and appointed President of that Distinguish
ed body. Had the delegation from our State
been consulted, he would have been the nominee
for Vice President, which would have been res
pended 10 with joyous applause throughout, the
length and breadth of,he Old Dominion. Andhere
permit me 10 express my then individual preference
for him, for The highest Office in the gift OF the
tion over any other man, always saving and except
ing the great state sman OF the West. In this SEMI
mcnt know l meet with = response in many
bosom now present, who knew him we'll in public
and private life. In the famous contest of 1910,
although in an nhrm state OF health, he buckled on
his armor aud took the field. The powers OF his
eoqu were displayed on many a hill and valley
OF the Commonwealth. He lei, his days were
nearly numbered, hut thought OF posteriiy and his
country, and willing to eNpend the last fires Of
nature in the cause Of freedom.
Fellow citizens OF Orange, there is one public act
This which most especially refers TO you, and there
tore have intentionally reserved IT as the last for
comment. The sebe lands OF tho country, by the
death OF the last Incumbent, under an act Of the
General Assembly, were sold. and the proceeds
fn aNF "a .taA 10 tho 4 H.
par SD, any other object which q majority Of the
freeho ders and housekeepers therein might direct"
He, with the mind of a statesman, conceived the
PLAZA OF constituting this, and bequest from be-
nevolent individual for the like ohjsc permanent
fund for the education Of the poor Of your county.
BE presented his plan to the People, enforced by
such arguments ss carried IttTilmphantly. be was
the organ Of their wishes 10 the Virginia Leglsa-
ture, and had for that object the Orange Humane
Society" incorporated IN 1911. He o;gsnized the
board, was elected president, presided over its in-
teresis with the fonGness Of parent, until the en-
grossp g duties OF the War Departmen, rendered 1t
mpracticable. He was the author Of the wise rules
for the management Of the fund, one OF which
hazard but little in saying has tended much TO its
preservation and which mention not only an
/ evidence OF his wisdom, but 10 enforce it upon It's
present guardians, viz: that portion Of the fund
| should be loaned to a member of the board. This
| preserved independent directory, so necessary
TO carry out its benevolent object. This fund is now
upwards Of $50 900, and is destined, under faith
ul ADMINISTRATOR, 10 be the ountaln oil lnestln BILE
value TO the poor Of your county in generations I'M
born. IL is no; anroshiing too much TO cay James
/ Barbour is the Father of the Orange Humane
So-ieiy"-a title moe honorable than the diadem Of
a C;es or the crown OF Napoleon. let
/ treat you, by his shade, TO guard and foster 1t,
! it is monument Of benevo!encc OF which your
county has need To be proud rs oicec'ors should
be OF sleepess vigilance, and every inhabiiani ofthe
county should take deep interest IN II, when we
! considcs how uncertain NJ. earthly possessions are;
lha, the wheel of fortune is continually revolving;
that the rich Of one generation become the poor Of
the next; that the descendants OF the proudes; and
wealthiejt among you may refresh themselves with
the pure waters flowing from this spsing Of chart
~.
In the prime of life James Barbour was as fine a
specimen of the physical man my eyes ever rest
ed on: and in u foreign land, living refuiation
of the European slsn6cf, that man degensrsted in
The New World. His majestic appearance, striking
features, and elevated department made an impress
sion, upon first sight, which time could not efAce.
His imagination was rich, anc, in early life, too
much INDUCED; but was cbastened by years and
strong dscrimnaiin. judgment. His integrity was
as innexihle ms Cato's. lie was conscious of the
high gifts of God and felt the responsibility ofcon
tr5utng 10 the formation AMI direction OF public
opinion. His was not the timid bark of Sc fshness,
content glide smoothly upon its current, reckless
OF its upon the destinies Of his country and
the happiness Of man; hut ever ready 10 stem the
stream Of popular deluson.
His gifs orator were Of no ordinary eharac
tinct eocu,ion, rich conceptions and earnest dslive-
ry gave him mastery the passions, and enabled
him to touch the hidden springs Of the human heart.
Relations, connections and friends can attest the |
warmth OF his heart and generosity Of his nature
The domestic fresi5e he highly adorned; shedding |
light upon wife, children and friends. An elegant
hospitality ever warmed his mansion, and the poor
found in him an adviser and friend. In the bosom
of affection, on the 9Th day Of June, 1912, James
Barbour expired with the regrets OF his friends and
the blessings Of his country.
Thus, fellow citizens, have sketche1 the ou:-
lines Of tho life and services Of your iiusirious and
beloved eoun,ryman, who was the faithful and no
nored public servant Of the country, for than
the ,hrd Of century. Your judgment will say
how far I have drawn from the original or from
fancy. Should have done il injustice, ascribe IL
10 my Position impossbili.y Of access TO many i'm
portant Documents the limited time my avocslions
have enabled me TO devote 10 il, and my humble
abilities Should have overweight the picture,
believe me tits from the warmth Of my admir- a,ion
inspired bya long Acquaintance with and a know
ledge Of his virtues, talents, and services 0s lis
played IN the walks OF private and public life. Such
ag IL is, submit 20 your candid consideration.
His life and career awaken many important and
useful reflections did time md opportunity permit,
without means or patronage, we behold him by la
Dor and perseverance, surmo bunting every difficulty:
storing his mind with treasures Of learning and the
wisdom Of antquty-earviog his way to honors,
wealth, AMI distinction. Lot emuous and youth
fu ambition be fired by the noble examples but le,
il also be ehas,enoi by the reflection that titles no.
nors and distinctions Of men form no exception 10
81. ILL