The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-09-19

Mcintosh, Geo. c. Acos'a, and JOS. Fnegan
From the Richasond Enquirer.
Judge Beverly Tucker.
| In another column the reader will fad the
resolutions of the Tau Chi Society Of William
and Mary College, in memory OF Judge Beverly
| Fucker---,he laie and celebrated Professor OF
Law in that ancient institution. The death OF
the distinguished gentlemen 20 whom they refer
was announced in the last Examiner Judge
| Tucker ceased to exist at Winchester, in the
9th year Of his age. The immediate cause OF
his death is not exactly known. 1t is said TO
have been general breaking up of the vital
powers, already wasted by disease, toll, and a
sensibilIty too powerful for the material upon
which it subsisted. His was one of those eager
minds and sleepless souls, that cannot rest
that are forever " driven by the spirit into the
wilderness OF strife, enterprise. energy, and
ceaselcss labor. Before his intellect the current
OF events never passed like the stream before
the rock. His heart was never impassive The
How OF thought and passion from his busy
brain never Stacked To those who knew him,
1t was only matter Of wonder how delicate
and highy-wrought physical system sustained
us LOAD Tor s ; many years, in 80 many scenes,
under the pressure OF circumstances in them
selves unusually exciting aud absorbing.
Judge Tucker was the offspring Of race re-
nowned for several generations in Virginia
Ills father, who also held the position of Pro
lessor OF law ia William and Mary, was long
the President OF the court of appeals He is
re 1embered rs the first commentator on the
common law, AZ applicable to our government
and his edition of Blackstone, though superse-
ded by that of his son, is still read with interest
and pleasure by ever student The mother OF
- T.l.x
X ndolph. The elder Ticker was her second
husband. From this celebrated lady, Randolph
is supposed to have derived his peculiar talents ;
and his half-brother, Judge Beverly Tucker,
resenbled him in everything save his wild &C.
centricitles and unusual seifshness. He was
educated at William and Mary, and commenced
life as legal practitioner in Charlotte county
Afterwards he pursued his profession in An
gusta, and lived for some time in Stanton
Thence he removed to Missouri The bar of
that State was then very brilliant one 1t
was adorned by some of the most powerful
and learned men of the nation, and he rose with
unpar lleed rapidly to the head of the pro
fesson. AT an early period he was made
Judge OF their superior court, and for many
years discharged the duties of his office to the
satisfaction of both bar and people Desiring.
however, return to the State Of his nativity.
and the circle Of friends and relatives which II
held, he resigned his juigeship in Missouri and
was made professor Of law in William and
Mary Here ne pissed the rest of hi. DAYS, in
the house which his father inh ,bited before him.
with literature, politics, and circle
OF acquaintance comprising majority of the
energetic and intellectual in both the Eastern
and Western divisions of Virginia
During the latter portion of his life, his elas-
tic and powerful pen was never idle. His con-
10 the newspaper press were innu-
merable and multfarious, He wrote on every
subject OF the day which involved the rights of
the ties. His literary essays, poems, plays,
and novellettes, We're for many years the main
support of the Literary Messenger Besides
these, he Published many volumes of romance.
law, and politics, all of which were full of thought
and originality. George Balcombe' is the best
novel that has been written by any citizen of
the South. Both in plan and execution it is very
powerful and exciting. His next most cele-
brated work Of that ch.racter was the " partizan
Leader" This vas political romance, in which |
the scenes attendant on an attempt at consolida- |
ton by the federal government, and he conse- |
luent civil tumult in the States, were detailed in |
sntcip ltion. The conception is darinr. and |
every page Of the book displays the most vigor |
ous capacity and startling imagination. Judge
Tucker also published voumnious work OF
lotion entitled "Gertrude,p which we never
read, but which enjoyed a considerable popu
arty in its day. His volume on pleading /,
monument OF clear thought and legal learning
As such, it has received the highest praise from
1reenleaf, from Story, and Others the great
names of our Jurisprudence, but the best of
all Judge Fuckers pro iuc,ions are his Lee
lures on Government" That volume is pcliti.
'al text book without rival. The chaptcr on
State sovereignty Is, without exception the most
mastery, powerful, snd overwhelming discourse
with which we are acquainted on any public topic
md from any hand
His political career from first to last has been
| defence of the I'D principle of State indie.
pen len e and sovereignty. Believing what is
undoubtedly truth, that all the dangers to
American institutions and to the American peo.
Die have their only source in the enoroachments
'f federal power, he never tired or faltered in an
nveterate opposition to all that tended that way
lis general theory Of politics was that of the
Did republican school In whic' he was born and
erred; but he never stood for a moment with
my party that did not uphold in practice as we'll
IS principle his grand idea From his fearless
ind uncomp promising action in this respect. and
rom his unaonce: led and invetetate hatred to all
hat was low, base and mean in individuals. he
made himself some enemies. H. never would,
lnder any circumstances. "consort' Ito use his
'wn phrase) with people whom he did not re.
'pect. Hence, although possessed of nature
ne klndest contest, most loving an! lovabe.
10 has been sometimes the object of bitter ami
mostly. But he was neuter in nothing. If he
vas fierce and open foe Of those whom he des
used, he was the most flithfu', enduring and
'rdent of friends to those in whom he saw the
clements Of good; and fow men are at this hour
aourGei with more sincerity
His style of conversation was like that of his
vings,--elastc, pointed, flowing and overflow.
ng with Illustration. lie was ths only man Of
'ur acquaintance who could make law and gov
rnment interesting to those who knew nothing
hf ut thea. Hence lis success a. a lecturer
md professor. His place 10 the ancient colleges.
$ well as every where else, will be difficult to
III. Long will 1t be before we see such another
nan. Few are found who unite to his penins.
mercy. aud knowledge, affections so profound.
sensibility so quick, and impulses 40 generous.
The resolutions which hive called forth these