Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1853-03-30

country readers uneasy, havo thought it best 10
assure them thai both the Banks above named as
| solvent ever.
A Brief Nemoir Of the late Hon. n. L.
Griffin.
IT has occurred 10 us that nothing, at this time,
wunld be more acceptable to the great mass OF our
readers than short sketch of the life and leading
characteristics of that excellent man, whose name is
at Tie head Of this article. Though the grave has
closed over him for weeks and though his every foot
print has been forever eficed from the paths which
he walked among in life, yet is liz still present 10
the heart of many friend and admirer, and many
many days will capse before the impress, which his
virtues stamped upon the general mind OF our COM
munty shall be obliterated. 1t is this belief which
has impelled to offer to The people who sustained
him through long career Of usefulness, the follow
ing plain and unadorncd narrative.
NATHAN LIrscoMB GRIFFIN was the son of RICH.
ARD and MARY GRIFFIN. He was born in The neigh
horllood of White Hall, Abbcvile District S. c.,
on the 9th of Feb. l803 his father having removed
| from Laurens District to that locality some years
before the date of his birth. He was raised upon his
fathers farm, in the retirement of country life. OF
his early education we are unable 10 speak, further
than TO say that he enjoyed, under tile care of liberal
minded parents, whatever facilities within their
reach. And although lie had not the advantages Of
collegiate course yet his education vas rs complete
as the excellent schools for which his native district
has been long celebrated could impar to an active
and nqnisitivc mind. His greatest proficiency was
attained arihe academy situated at Churcll-hil
in The lower part Of Abbcville 1t mny be remarked
here that but few Of his compecrs, with lc best cdu
catonal opportunities have passed the ordeal of a
wa,chfuI criticism more successfully than himself
Because he sought simplicity and directness in all he
said, and cschewcd the use of ornament or the dis
play OF borrowed beauties as unsuited TO his aims
and purposes in life.
Mr. GRIFFIN commenced The study of law. at the
village Of Cambridge, under Mr.. WnITNER, (now
Judge WuITHER of the Court Of Common Pleas in
this Slae,) after the expiration Of his school-boy
days. In February 1924, at the age of twenty.one,
lie was admitted TO the practice. He Immediately
settled at Edgeeld C. H., for the prosecution of the
profession he had chosen. About the year 1926. he
entered into copartnersp with our present Senator
in Congress, Hon. a. p. BUrLER, nien in full sue
cess at this bar. This business connection remained
unbrokcn until the elder associate was elected to q
| Judgcshp. From that time Mr.. GRIFFIN pushed his
own way with an amount OF energy, industry and
perseverance which soon placed him in the foremost
rank of the Edgeicll Bar. In his professional char
acier he had succeeded in commanding the entire
confidence and unwavering reliance of numerous
list of clients. The simple reason of this was his
punctnaty and accuracy in all the details of ousi
ness together with his unusually skilu and dsuccessGn
conduct of all suits committed to his charge. To an
unccmmon degree of qnickness and slrewdness in the
application of fitting legal authority to the facts of his
cases, lie added strong common sense and know
ledge of men which made him formidable adversary
10 the most astue and learned members of his pro-
fession At tic lime of his death he was in the full
fruilion Of the most ample rewards of near thirty
years Of unremitng toll and close attention to busi
ness Tel those who would not fail look to the ex-
ample set Cor them by NATHAN J.. GRIFFIN, and, if
nature has not slintcd them TO an unusual extent,
success must be theirs.
But although Mr.. GRIFFIN was thus constant and
strict in the discharge of his office duties, he was not
thereby wcaned from all the more animating aspra-
lions of Even in the military lie rose, by his
merits as an officer and popularity as comrade, to
the command of as fine corps Of Cavalry az South
Carolina ever produced. We allude TO that long
established company, the Edgefeld IIussars." In
this capacity Mr. GRIFFIN served for several years,
taking such pride ana mancsiing snch interest in the
management Of his corps might have led the most
casual observer 10 remark that in this, as in every
thing else which lie attempted in life, faithful dis
charge of every duty and determination TO succeed
in attaining some degree Of excellence in his official
hearing, were the motives which actuaed him. TO
any higher rank in the military than the Capaincy
of the Edgclield IIussars," Mr.. GRIFFIN never as.
pired, perhaps because he believed that though
higher grade might be reached there was scarcely to
be found another more gratifying to its incumbent
than the lead Of gallan, and generous sci Of fellows
who ever cvinccd an esprit dc corps of tile most
cvalric cast. Certain it is that in all the struggles
OF Mr. GRIrFrHs after life lie never looked towards
lis old broihcr.sol,crs in vain.
In tho politics Of South Carolina, Mr.. GRIFFIN has
also long participated more or less and, in the latter
years of his life, 10 very considerable extent Be-
sides having served his District with credit jn the
lower house of Legislature. .he had been, at the
time OF his DEATH for consecutive years in the
State Senate lacking hut one session of completing
his second term. In this latter body he had acquired
so high n reputation for efficiency and legislative
ability as 10 draw from one OF his most canniu anu
discriminating CoSenators the hal he had no
superior in that assemblagc OF talent and experience
Indeed Mr. GRIFFIN had scarcely reached the meri
dian of his career when he was snatchcd from The
stage OF human action by the decree OF an inscrnable
but n-wisc Providence. Had he been spared another
decade il is not improbable that the State at large
would have found abundant cause to manifest her
anprecalion of his Wholesome influence in her coun-
ciIs-In the complexion of his politics, Mr.. GRIFFIN
was ihorough.Going States Rights Democrat OF the
South Carolina School. During the heated struggle
of '3 he was Nullifcr of the most undoubed stamp;
anl believing that the action Of his State had at that
time achieved in large measure the redress for which
she cOntendcd, lie saw sufficient grounds TO doubt
that similar results would follow her action ina much
more recent contest. He was accordingly found, in
1851 prominent in the ranks Of the Seccssionisls of
South Carolina In all his acts however during that
contest, Mr.. GRIFFIN, willie exhibiting earnestness
and an honest enthusiasm in what he believed to be
q noble effort of free and independent State nvari-
ably absaincd from invcctve denunciation towards
his opponents prefcrring the mild but cogent weapons
of reason and common
Having thus very briefly glanced at the public
course of our deceased fellow -czcn let approach
with Difference and respect those moro sacred rela-
tions which he sustained towards his family, and his
church.
In the month of 1Tay 1924, Mr.. GRIFFIN was
united by marriage to Miss ANN BUTLER. For nearly
MIN, had climbed the hill OF