Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-05-05
The Late Vim. O.; RiVes.

This gentleman. who stood among the fore
he participated. in political life, and whose
death re announced last week, was born in
Nelson, county, on fhe 4th of May, 1903;
was educated at Hampden Sidney and Will
liam and Mary Colleges; studied law and
politics under the direction of Thomas Jeifer-
son was aid de- camp in 1914 and 1915 with
a body of militia and volunteers, called out
for the defence of Virginia; was elected to
the Legislature of Virginia in, 1871 lis
and 10, from Nelson county; and in 1922
to the same position, from Albemarle county.
In 1923 he was elected Representative
in Congress, and served for three successive
terms; in 1920 he was, appointed by Presi-
dent jackson Minister 20 France on his re-
turn in 1882, he was elected u Senator in
Congress, and resigned in 1884; was rc-elec-
ted in 1885, and served to the end of the
term in 1889; in 1910 was reelected to the
Senate, where he remained until 1915. In
1910 he was a second time appointed Minis
ter to France and returned in 1858, when he
retired from political lie.
In 1861, Mr.. Rives was one of the five
"Peace Congress" at Washington.
He was member of the Confederate t'Pro-
visional Congress" and "uouse Of Represent
tatives'' during the war.
A correspondent of the Lynchburg Nc,os,
writing from Albemarlc county, furnishes
some particulars of the death and burial of
Mr. Rives, which are Of interest. Wecopy:
yesterday evening the funeral of the
Hon. W. g. Rires took place at Castle Hip
in the presence of Il large number Of his
friends and neighbors, including very many
of the colored people. The Rev. L. Boydcn,
Rector of the Parish; -assisted by Rev. W. G.:
Butler, of Charlottesville, performed the
funeral services in the house and at the grave.
The last resting place of the deceased
statesman and patriot is plateau Of ground
with southern exposure, not far from the
lawn leading up to the Mansion House.
Here all that was mortal Of Virginia's 10y
al son was committed 'searth to earth-ashes
to ashes dust to dust" there to remain till
the resurrection morn. A mound over the
grave vas formed, which was we'll and beau
tifuly sodded with grass, and then the hand
of an affectionate daughter placed cross of
white flowers, tastefuly interviewer with ivy
and white ribbon, on the grave of her beloved
father wreath Of myrtle, at the head and
bcquet at the foot, were also placed on the
grave, when the assembled company dis
persed.
The death Mr.. Rives is the first with the
exception of an infant daughter, forty years
ago, that has occurred in his family since his
marriage, period of so years.
Mr.. Rives' death is an unexpected event
to the public, but to many in this community
it was not, as they have for more than three
years past seen that his hold upon life was
giving away. The disastrous failure of the
Southern Confederacy doubtless had some
effect in shortening his days. He died, how
ever, with his intellect as bright, as clear,
and as vigorous as it ever had been during
the 10 wears of his life. He was a Virgin
ian, pure and chaste he loved her soil, her
pcopie. her institutions, her prosperity; and
in her adversely and hour Of trial, he remained
true to her, and died with his loyalty IN
diminished and untarnished; not even for an
instant did he give way to the vagarles, tollles
and madness which actuate and control the
Radical usurping party now in power He
was hopeful, and so expressed himself, that
the people of the United States would even
tualiy do right, and restore his native Nir-
ginia and the Southern States to their true
and proper positions in the Union; but If 1T
proved otherwise, his opinion was decided
that the people of Virginia aud of the South
should rejectall the radical measures now
endea7o2ing to be fastened upoa them; un-
der no circumstances and on no consideration
would he agree to them. These were the
sentiments and the advice of Virginia states
man, who had devoted, large portion of his
life in the service of her people and their
prosperity. 1t is the advice of patriot and
should be needed.
Mr. -Rives, before he died, had been ena-
bled to complete the third volume Of his lie
of James Madison, bringing it down to the
Termination of the administration of General
Washington leaving the fourth volume to be
completed by SUMO other hand"