Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-05-24
Colonel John Brown Baldwin.

Colonel John Brown Baldwin was born ii
Staunton, Augusta county, Virginia, Januar,
llth, 1920. He seems to be entitled to his le
gal abilities and vigorous mind by right of in
herltance being the son of the late Judge
Brl5coe u. Baldwin, of the Court Of Appeals
and grandson, on his maternal side, Of Judge
John Brown Chancellor (of the old Stauntor
District from whom he takes his name I'm
til fitted for college, he was educated at the
Staunton Academy, where at very early agt
he developed a remarkable fondness for math-
ematical studies, but strange to say, consider
ing the distinguished position he has since at
tanned as public speaker, showed no specia
facility Tor the acquisition or languages. Asa
boy he was universally popular, and exhibited
the same frankness Of manner, and kindllness,
and business in his dealings with his fellows
that have characterized his manhood. When
about seventeen years Of age, he entered the
| University of Virginia, and continued to pur-
sue his studies there for three years
| In 184l, Colonel Baldwin was admitted to
| the bar, and immediately took prominence as a
lawyer and advocate. Shortly afterwards he
married the eldest daughter Of a distinguished
| lawyer, John Howe Peyton. and continuing to
rise rapidly in public opinion, until attaining
the age provided for by the Constitution, he
was elected by the people of his county to rep
resent them in the House of Delegates. Du-
ring the ensuing session, the question of calling
a convention to frame a new constitution was
agitated in the Legislature, and this brought up
the question whether representation in the con-
vention should be upon the mixed, or the
white basis" Colonel Baldwin took deci-
ded and prominent stand in favor of the for
mer, which was the basis Of representation in
the Legislature under the existing Constitution,
and contended that any departure from it was
unconstitutional and revolutionary. A large
portion of the people of Augusta were in favor
of the latter. Party spirit ran high, and at the
next election the Democrats wishing to defeat
a rising young Wing, coalesced with the white
basis Wings and excluded him from the Cen
eral Assembly.
From that time, for several years, he devoted
himself almost exclusively to his profession
his only diversion being that of playing soldier
first as captain of volunteer company and at
terwards as colonel of militia regiment. In
1859, however, having already acquired rep
utation throughout the State as a leading law
yer, a vacancy occurring On the bench OF the
Court of Appeals by the death of Green B. Sam
ues, he was brought before the people by his
friends to fill it. His opponent was Judge w.
j. Robertson Of Albemarle, who proved the
successful candidate. Baldwin was Whig
and Robertson was Democrat, and the section
was strongly Democratic. Party lines were not
distinctly drawn in the election, yet it seems to
be conceded that politics had a great deal of
influence in deciding it, 1t cannot be denied,
however, that Judge Robertson was eminently
qualified for the position.
Col. Baldwin continued to devote himself to
his profession, but took an active part as
W hlg speaker in every canvass that occurred.
When our sectional troubles reached a crisis in
the fall of 1860, COL Baldwin was an earnest
and devoted Uuionist, and all bis influence was
thrown in opposition to secession. In the Pres
dentlaI campaign that resulted IN the cleo ton
OF Lincoln and preclpltated the war he was
particularly active, and commenced the canvass
On the Bell and Everett side in a speech at the
clubhouse in this city. He was elected
member Of the State Convention of 1861, and
as such continued to oppose secession with all
the earnestness and eoquence he could COM
mand until it was carried by the Convention
and virtually by the people. Then the patriot
ism OF the man blaZed out In a greatness that
has been the crowning laurel of his career
He did not forget that he was Virginian, but
cast his lot with his native State, determined
to do his duty, obey her high behest, and share
her fate, be that what 1t might. How he kept
that determination his war record is the best
and most enduring evidence; and however
many may differ with the policy and principles
be may have advocated since the close OF the
struggle, there are few even of the most blind
ed and prejudiced who, viewing his career by
the light of the present, will say his course has
been based upon aught else than the unassalla-
BILE foundation of what he believed to be his
duty to Virginia
Soon after the war began he was appointed
Inspector General of Virginia troops, and serv-
ed in that capacity until appointed Colonel OF
the Sind Virginia regiment. Entering the ser
vice with his regiment, he continued with 1t
until compelled to retire by q severe attack OF
illness which Frustrated him for several weeks.
Before he had fully recovered he was elected
to the Confederate Congress from the Augusta
district and resigned his commission In the ar
my.
AS member of Congress, Col. Baldwin at
tanned great distinction, and added fresh lau
res to his already enviabe reputation as
speaker. Probably nowhere has his powerful
intellect displayed itself to better advantage
than it did there In the intervals of his con-
gressional service he acted as colonel Of a regi-
ment of reserves raised In Augusta county
AS soon as possible after the fall of the Con-
federacy he returned to the practice Of his pro-
fession, but in October, 1865, he was elected to
the House Of Delegates by the people Of his
county without having become candidate.
The Legislature cOnvenlng, he was elected
Speaker of the House, which position he held
during the next two winters. AS a parliament
tartan he has few superiors. The ability he
displayed both in the chair and on the floor ad
ded still further to his reputation, and towards
the close Of the term he was prominently spo-
ken Of for the office Of Governor, and would in
all probability have been elected had not the
reconstruction acts of Congress interviewed to
prevent. On questions of interal Improvement
he had always exhibited great far-sightedness
and sagacity, and for several years past he has
lo.,1 kt,,,r -oro
fecting the completion OF the Chesapeake and
Ohio Railroad, having probably done more to
promote that object than any other man in the
State. When this work is completed it viii be
monument to his ability, energy and devotion
to his State. His particular pet is the Au-
gusta Agricultural Fair. He is its originator
and President, and has in its management dis
played the same energy that characterizes him
in everything he undertakes.
Colonel Baldwin has never baen neutral
On the contrary, he has always taken firm
decided, though never haSty and lmmatured
stand on all questions of public moment. At the
same time he cannot be charged with anything
like intolerance towards those who differed from
him. His influence is almost supreme in the
section where he resides, and few men are quo
ted more frequently or with more effect through
out the State. Nor is his reputation confined
to the State. 1t is fast becoming part of the
history of the whole country.
AS speaker he is not over fastldious as to
the use of words He is eloquent without be-
ing particularly ornate-eIoquent by reason OF
expressiveness, force, earnestness and persplcul-
ty. Nearly always plain and unadorned in
manner and anguage-never suited he carries
his audience with him by force Of strong argu-
ment, and never fails to make the impression
that he honestly believes all he says-and he
does. He is solid and logical but never dry,