Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-12-02
COMMUNICATED.
The late George w. Summers.

| Court at CharlestoWn, hanaWGa county, w.
| Va, on Wednesday last, Col. Benz. II. Smith
announced to the Court the death OF the Hon.
G. w. Summers; and Samuel A. Miller, esq.,,
a member of the bar, and for many years
law partner OF Judge Summers, read an obltu-
ary notice OF the deceased; whereupon the fol-
lowing order was entered of record IN sad
| Court:
Samuel A. Miller, esq, having mere read to
the Court, an obituary, on motion OF Col. d.
| II. Smith it is ordered, that the same be filed
among the Archives of this Court, and that the
| Clerk of this Court furnish copy OF said oblt-
uarv for publication, with the request That the
| editors of the State publish the same:
.tDied on the evening OF the 18th OF Sep
tember 1868, at Gienwood, his residence,
near Charleston, Kanawha county, West Flr-
ginia, George William Summers. The de-
ceased was born in the county OF Fairfax, vlr-
pinia, on the 4th day of March. 1904. His
| father moved to the county Of Kanawha, IN
1914, and settled upon the estate known as
/ Walnut Grove, on the Kanawha river, in the
now county of Putnam, where he died in the
year 1915 There is the burial place OF the
family, and beneath the shades OF those stately
walnuts were first deposited the remains OF the
father, and last, and but recently, his only sur
viving son.
The subject of this notice was, after his
fathers death, reared and educated under the
care and attentive supervision OF his elder
brother, Judge Lewis Summers, to whose al
lection, large and bereft family, always have
and now acknowledge a debt OF deep gratitude.
No young man could have had more attec-
tomato friend, a wiser counselor, or more con-
siderate brother Growing up under such au-
l
Use of commanding talents ami great usefulness
in life. He chose the bar as his profession,
and on his first admission and appearance IN
the Courts of this portion Of his native State,
Virginia, gave confident promise OF that fame
and distinction which he afterwards attained.
AT an early age his conspicuous aptitude Tor
political life called him to the councils OF his
native State He was member OF the Gener-
al Assembly Of Virginia, in the sessions OF
lS3O-3l, of 1912, and OF 1875. During
this service he exhibited rare powers of debate,
an earnest devotion to the interests OF his con-
stituency, and at the same time most COM
prehensive and just appreciation OF the future
of the whole State. Some of his speeches at
this early day were marked by prescience Of
l the future, which the events OF very recent
years have shown to be remarkable:
/ In 1S4l he became member OF the House
of REPRESENTATIVES in the Congress OF the Uni
aed States, in which capacity he served TOR four
successive wears, when he declined reelection.
On this more extended arena OF national poll
tics. he maintained and increased reputation,
before SO worthiy won la the discussion Of
the great questions Of that day, he showed
himself the peer of his associates and colleagues
linen of fame and mark and who were states
men before politics became trade and trick,
and lust distinction and mental capacity and
honesty among 1.-THE things that were. Few
of his contemporaries OF that day Will forget
that most eloquent and appropriate address
Imade by him on presenting to the Congress OF
the United States the sword OF Washington
and the staff of Franklin, which extorted from
all Just tribute to his great powers, and
caused that body, on the motion OF joan
Quincy Adams, 70 record the entire speech
lupon its Journals, and which has since been IL
Illustrated by poesy and art
Mr.. Summers was member of the C0nven
tion of Virginia which formed the Constitution
that went into effect in 1851. La the highly
excited discussions of that period, it might Re
said of him, that he attained the zenith OF his
oratorical fame. On that field he again met
great orators and profound statesmen, and
there again left behind him the memory OF
man of profound views and marked sagacIty'
of lust action and striking elOquence.
1
marty for the first popularity elective Governor
Of the State. In his campaign with Governor
Joseph johnson, the Democratic candidate, he
odaed additional laures to his renown rs
most effective political hustlngs speaker
Though defeated. he lost none OF his we'll
earned reputation.
| In 1852 he was elected Judge OF the Kama
wha Judicial Circuit, which office he held
about six years, when he resigned two years
before the expiration OF his term. As Judge,
he never forgot the purity OF the ermlned
robe which he wore, that dlgnlhed bearing so
necessary to give it respect, nor those great
principles of integrity and Importantly, with
ont which it soon becomes dragged III the
mire IF some thought he exhibited on the
bench, what has been attributed to greater
Judges, diatoriness of decision, let them read
the apology of the great Chancellor Of France
to his son, for the same imputed fault: My
child" said the Chancellor d Aguesseau,
"when YOU shall have read what have read,
seen what have seen, and heard what have
heard YOU will feel that if on any subject
you know much, there may be also much that
YOU do not know; and that something OF
what YOU know, may not at the moment be
in your recollection. You will then, too, be
Isensible of the mischlevous and often ruin
Gus consequences OF even small error IN
decision; and conscience, tfust, WIZ then
make YOU as doubtful, as timid, and cons3-
ouently as dilatory, as | am accused of being.
Judge Summers was elected IN the winter
| of 1S60-6I, by the General Assembly of Fir-
ginia, as a member of the celebrated Peace
Congress, which assembled in Washington
City, on the 4th of February, 1861. The pas
sions and bitter feelings of rivalry which
were then about eliminating in that most ter
rible war, which soon after commenced, made
the position one Of the most difficult that ever
mortal man was called on to fill That Con
ference was failure. 1t is yet too early to
oriticise the actions of the men who were
prominent at that momentous period. That
same passion and those bitter feelings are not
vet alayed. 1t may be said of Judge Sum
mers, if he could not guide the whirwind, he
did not raise the storm. He was as true
| lover of peace as he was Of the Union; and
never were his great powers so entlrely,,and
L IL nY,LA