Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1871-09-30
Col. James E. stewart, Of the Page
Courier.

The Richmond w nIg,ol lle ISL lilSt.,
refers to our old friend, Col. James E.
Stewart, as follows:
eve were honored on yesterday with
n visit from the gallant editor Of this
whole souled Virginia Journal, Mr..
James Z. Stewart. No paper in this
Commonwealth has labored more eff
GENTLY for the honor and true interests
Of the State than the Page Courier, and
we sincerely hope that the people of the
Valley will give that material support to
that journal which its merits so justly
deserve"
On his return home, he called to pay
bis respects to the Observer. Our first
acquaintance with Col. Stewart was in
the White Basis and popular Reform
fight commencing in earnest in 1845,
'46, AZ, and ending in the triumph Of a
call Of a Convention in 1859, to which
he was returned as a member at the
head of his ticket in the District, where
/ the candidates were all Of the highest
order of talent, social and political posi-
ton His service there was distinguish
cd by ability, industry and the highest
confidence of his friends, as the debates
and proceedings of the Convention Of
that date will show.
After successive defeats for thirty
years, he led the Democratic party to
/ victory in Berkeley III the Spring of
lS47, by a decisive vote the party
from that date until the commencement
Of the war. in 1861, with increased ma
iorities. His health failed him them and
others wore the fruits and honors of his
victorious opening. No man so much
owes his honors to this faithful, unset
fish man, as Charles j. Faulkner, of
|. Berkeley,
He was an original Calhoun Demo
GRAFT regarding him in life as he does
when dead--the great, good, pure man
and statesman Of the 19thc century Iii this
country.
His fault in life, if fault it can he
called, has been his fidelity to friends
and neglect of himself \ gentleman
of his high, honorable character, per
sonally and politically, his literary, his
toricai and political knowledge and
culture, deserves the highest considera-
ton and regards of all Virginians. But
strange to say, this man Of talent, sc
MUS, eloqucnce, high personal and so
cial standing, wants nothing, seeks no
thing-fghts for the general welfare,
and has as perfect contempt for office as
ever Littleton w Tazewell had, which
to say, is to pay him the highest com
pliment that we could bestow.
But if we could follow his hours talk
with us and report it, it would take all
our space. He is one of the best chron-
iclers OF the men and measures OF this
generation that we have met. Whcnhe
spoke of his old aud faithful friend, John
Letcher, the tears rolled down his
checks. lie told us he was out Of pub
lie life, and desired never to enter 1t
again He paid the highest encomums
to the Editors Of Virginia, many OF
whom he met at Richmond. In his
own section he spoke of Iost, Chs pro
tege,) with great affection. Riddlebar-
Ger, OF Shenandoah, as a rising, promls-
inc, true man. Hunter, Of the Win
chester Times, with great appreciation Z;
but when he came to Bruce Of the Win
chester News, he became rejuvcnated,
declared him to be one Of the ablest VIII
tiers and most sagacious, honest public
men in Virginia. "IIe, sir, said he,
us my friend-was my friend when |
needed friends, supported and sustained
me with an unseliish regard, which |
will remember as long as | live. lie,
sir, is 4 man of learning, whole-souled
gentleman. But we could fill columns
from the "reminiscences Of this old friend,
but we desist for want Of space tospare.
! Such is Col Stewart Of the Page Cou-
rier, who is an amateur Editor of the
above spirited journal. He asksnothmg,
seeks nothing, tells us he despiseS now
the appliances used to getplace. Whilst
he fires his grape and canister into
the enemy, Outside Of politics, You see
nothing but the generous man-saga-
ciouS politician, the warm friend, the
polished scholar, the ready and amiablc
writer. Long may he wave rs one OF
the honorable Virginia gentlemen, and
valued member OF the Prcss.-Cuipep-
per Observer.