The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-11-26
TTEaDAY MORNING. Nov. 90.
cpAnLps ". RUSSELL. once a leadln

CHARLES W. RUSSELL, once leading
lawyer or this city, died in baltimore,
last Saturday morning. We are not In
formed as to the nature OF his ailment
and only know that he had been seri-
ously iii for some days, so much so as
10 leave but little hope of his recovery.
The deceased, during his long resi-
deuce in this community, enjoyed
large measure of public respect, both
on account OF his unexceptionable
private character md his abilities aud
attasnments as lawyer. Politically,
lie WIS one of the men who most de-
servedIy forfeited his hold upon our
people at the outbreak OF the rebellion.
UnnnluralIy and without any other ex-
cuse than the temptations of ambition,
he followed Mason and Hunter, and that
clique of Virginia politicians, into Sc
cession and rebellion. Originally a
Wing, he left that party to join his for
tunes with the Democracy, and by easy
steps became ut last follower and ally
of the Eastern Virginia and South Car
DINA school of States.rights tire-oaters.
They saw that he was their man here
in West Virginia. Pryor once herald
ed communication from him ms
the uuerauee OF "an eminent Virginia
statesman" At Cincinnati in 1856. and
again ut Charleston and ut Baltimore
In 1860, he was mnde chairman of the
Virginia delegation. The compliments
tOhim were marked, and they did not
fail OF the effect calculated upon. We
will do Mr.. Russell the justice. how
ever, to say that we have no idea that
he contemplated either civil war or
permanent disruption of the Union.
He supposed, OF course, that the North
would yield according TO the natural
order of things, that new comprO-
mise would follow in which the South
would re-assert her domiuancy in ma
tionAl politics, and that the slavery
idea would once moro prevail here in
West Virginia.
1t is said that Mr.. Russell left us in
May, 1861, OH behalf OF the Baltimore q
Ohio Road, whose attorney he was, TO
use his influence with tho rebel force at
Harper's Ferry, and prevent II possible
any damage to the track. II is also said
that he expected to return and had no
idea OF embarking actively in the re-
bsllion; in fact, that he looked for no
serious collision between the sec
tIons. Be his motives or ex-
pectationa what they may when
he left, it is very certain he did not re-
turn, but, Instead. that he naturally
proceeded to participate in the rebel
lion, 10 the fortunes OF which he was
long before committed, and that tlast
he fittingly turned up us the pretended
representative OF this congressional
district III the rebel Congress.
After the surrender of Lee and the
downfall of the confederacy, Mr.. Rus
sell fled TO Canada, where he remained
for several months. We do not know
that he has ever been in this
city since leaving it i'll the
Spring OF 1861. He evinced good
taste and no doubt consulted his best
interests in every point OF view by set
ling down in Baltimore, where he at
once entered upon profitable practice,
and surrounded himself with political
society altogether congenial. Now
that he is dead let it be said of him, that
forgetting home. forgetting duty
He sleeps beneath his baleful star,
But sleeps in peace We trust"