The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-05-02
The Late Hon. j. M. Mason.

The Late Hon. j. M. NIsssSn.
$ The telegraph on saturday night brought
us the news of the death Of the Hon. JAS.
MURRAY NJ AsoS at his residence, Clarens,
near Alexandria, in the 7ath year Of his
age. Mr.. MASON was born on Analostah
island. near Georgetown, in 119s. he
graduated IN 1918 at the University of Penn
sylvsnia, studied law ut William ana mar!
College, in this State, was admitted 70 sue
practice In 1920, after term OF E''oo'''o'
in the office Of BENJAMIN WATKINS LfiSH,
Of this city, and soon after est,o''n n.r
himself as a practitioner at the Da'
In Winchester. Va. He was repeatedly
elected to the Legislature as represensa'''e
of the county of Frederick. and 10 1901 Nc
was elected member Of Congress 'roln MS
d;strict. In 1917 he was eiecseo Df ..e
4 y;rod,ta Legislature a Senator OF the
Tinted states, which high position ne neio
until 1861, when he resigned ms seat anu
took sides with his State in the struggle Tor
tho division Of the Union and the establish
nent Of the Southern Coniederacy. lie
served Ten years in the House OF Repre-
sentatiycs and in the Senate fourteen. max.
ing the long period OF twenty-tour years
service in the national councils.
His subsequent career is fresh IN tne
memory Of all. He was appointed VIII
Mr.. SLlpYLL commissioner to England, ant
embarked with that gentleman on TIE
British steamer Trent, from Havana, bu'
was soon after given UP to Captain WILKES
of the San Jacinto, who overhauied Inc
Trent and demanded the surrender OF the
Confederate ENJOYS and their secretaries
For some weeks they were detained III
Fort Warren, from which they were dellv'
cred on the most percmptory demand IRON
England. They sailed for England at the
close of December, 1861.
During Mr.. MAsoS's residence in Eng
land he was much esteemed. The greatest
possible consideration and every attention
were shown him. He was invited every
where, much sought after, and did muct
to educate the minds OF enlightened
Englishmen, and especially OF leading
members Of Parliament, i'll regard te
the true causes of the American
war. After the close Of the war Mr.
MASON returned to America and took uf
his residence ut Niagara, together Will
General EARLY, General BRECKENRIDGE,
Commissioner HELM, and others, with their
families, who were not willing to take tbe
oath of allegiance. After President JOHN
soS's second proclamation he determined
70 spend the remainder of his lite near hl;
relatives, and purchased small place near
the Episcopal Seminary, three miles wcsl
of Alexandria, his own beautiful home near
Winchester having been sacked and LAID IN
ruins by the Federal forces who ravased
the Valley during the war. General Coof-
Err and Captain s. SMITH LEE married SIS
tiers OF Mr.. MASON, and resided also near
Alexandra.
Mr., MASON was not man Of genius, but
he had strong mind and good Judgment.
He was a stern conservative, and for pub
lie virtue and personal integrity was Tt
companion of the noblest men OF the rcvo-
lutionary age.
The MASON family was one of distinction
in England, and its descendants in this
country have maintsincd its fame and in
fluence. Mr.. MASON was the grandson OF
GEO. MASON, one of the most distinguished
of the fathers Of the Revolution. the per-
sonal friend of WAsHIsGroN, and the au-
thor of the Virginia Bill of Rights. We
copy the following tribute to the worth of
Senator MASON from the Washington Pa
triot:
"He was the contemporary of Calhoun,
McDuffie, Mangum, Webster, Clay. South
aud, Dayton, Davis, Cass, Wright, Badger,
Douglas, Johnson, Ewing, King, Buch-
anaD, Evans, Pierce, CorWln, and others OF
that stamp of greatness, but few of whom
vet linser On the scene. While Nlr. Ma
son was not regarded as broad states
man, or remarkable for gifts Of oratory,
he preserved an individuality which
always commanded the respect Of the
Senate. Solid education, training ut the
bar, and large experience i'll public affairs
necessarily fitted him for the influential pO-
sition which he long occupied as chairman
of the Committee on Foreign Relations. lie
was man OF earnest and upright convic-
ton, and of the most sterling integrity.
His opinions might be erroneous. but no
, one ever doubted their entire sincerity, or
attributed to him an unworthy motive.
True chyalry was part Of his nature, and
strong rs were his feelings, he was incapa-
BILE of any act or thought inconsiste nt with
manly character, strict duty, or generous
determination"