Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-03-02
Major Uriel Wright.

From the Winchester Times we copy the
following sketch ofthe life of this eminent gen.
tleman, whose death we noticed last week =
Major Wright was born in Madison county
Va, in the year 1904 or 1905; was educated
at West Point, where he was class>mate and
room-mate of our townsmap, Hon. r. Y.
Conrad After leaving the Military Academy
he studied law, first at Fredericksburg and
afterwards with Judge Tucker in Winchester,
cnrtemporaneously with Hon. III. A. Wise,
Hon. c. j Faulkner Hon. w. Cost johnson,
r. b. Conrad, and other distinguished gem
temen He married sister of the late Col.
Tulev of Clarke; and while yer young re-
moved first to Hannibal and subsequently to
st Louis. Mo-, where he rapidly rose to dis
tinction in his profession. and attained repu
tation as the first criminal lawyer in the
Mississippi Valley.
He was fond If politics, and before the war
was a distinguished member of the old Wing
party, in whose conventions and meetings he
always occupied prominent position, and
whose canse he supported upon the hustings
with consummate eloQueuce. Many of our
readers will recall his powerful efforts while
on a visit to Virginia during the Bell and
Everett campaign. In 1861 Ire was elected
from St. Louis to the constitutional conven-
ton Of Missouri, in whose deliberations he
took leading part We have read number
of his speeches IN that convention, many of
which are lu!l of genius and eloqueuce some
passages. indeed, will compare favorabiy with
the 6nest in The English language
He cnng TO the Union aud battled against
secession until arrested by U. S. troops for
declaring in the convention that "liberty of
speech could no longer be enjoyed by the
members of that body, as military despotism
existed" He was confined in prison for some
time, and when released Joined the Confeder-
ate army, serving for time with Cen Price,
and afterwards as a staff, officer with General
tIariee Since the close of the war he has
resided in NirYinia-for n considerable time
in Winchester. then at 1.-THE Tuleyries."
H. had passed his prime, was broken in
health and for the last few years he practiced
his profession rather for recreation, and from
habit, than for profit; preferring literary,
philosophical and political studies, as more
coneenial to his tastes.
Major Wright possessed n versatility of
talents which few public men in our time have
equalled, and he could have attained the first
rank in any Of the literary professions. His
mind was highly cultivated and richly stored
with extensive and varied information, and at
the same time profound and logical. Few
men could work up rich train of thought
with more effect. In his public addresses
We refer particularly to his lecture on Hero
ism." The Character Of Moses" and his
political addresses when old Virginia was the
,hcme-be MINGLED all the elements of oratory
the eracas OF metaphor. brilliant witsportive
IRONY delicate satire aud moving pathos, in
exquisite harmony and with powerful effect.
He enjoyed large circle of friends, who
were devoted to him, and delighted in his
entertaining and brilliant conversations, whose
place they cannot fill
NurturGd in the old Yirginia school, ven
era.ing her glorous history, her time honored
traditions and illustrious statesmen, it is fit
that his body should rest upon her soil. Peace
to his ashes