Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-11-21

As chronicled in yesterdays UNION AND
| AMERICAN, this distinguished citizen died
at his residence in Rutherford county. on
the evening of the 10Th inst, after brief
| illness, aged about sixty years. Though
| lacking the Psalmist's allotted period of ten
| years more, his life was complete, full as 1t
| was of earnest labor pursued with the high
| est order of intelligence, and rounded with
| the rarest virtues that adorn the gentle-
4 man and the Christian. His death was nm
expected, and in view of his usefulness,
was premature, and has shed an inexpres-
sible sadness over the home circle and the
immediate community in which he resided.
Its tidings, too, will carry general sense
of profound regret throughout the State;
| for he was not onlythe charitable neiehbor,
| the upright citizen, the learned aud skilIful
physician, the humble and consistent Chris
tan, but an eminent public servant devoted
! to the good of bis country and bis country
men. Such career deserves more than a
passing line to tell its ending.
DR.. Richardson, il not of Virginia birth,
was Of that parentage, but his life was
spent in Rutherford county, In this State.
Near the home at which he died, he COM
menced the practice of his profession near
" fifty years ago, and except in the inter-
vsls Of his public life, he steadily pursued
it almost to the day Of his death. Though
fitted by native ability, as well as culture
| and attainment, to rank with the most en-
inent of his brethren in cities, be was con-
tent to be the unostentatious country practi-
toner, as sterling member of that some
times unappreciated class, as ever shed
true dignity upon the profession he loved.
His merit, however, went not unobserved,
| for far ami wide, his skill and virtues at the
bedside were known; the records of the
| Tennessee Medical Society, of which he
was among the earliest members, and one
| OF its first Presidents, bear evidence of his
zeal and requirements; and, the literature
of the profession is graced with acute and
solid contributions from his pen-the ink
on one Of his valuable mon
ographs viii scarcely be dry before
his grave is green. At the pro-
| fsssorial desk, to which he had been invite d
AN honor which he distrustfully declined
The would have shown as teacher, thor
ough as be was in knowledge, and fluent
and cogent in expression. Retiring and
modest by nature, he sought his livelihood
in the quiet walks of his calling, and bis sat-
isfaction of the worlds esteem in the credit
due to the faithful and diligent discharge of
| its irksome and responsible duties.
In 1913 DR.. Richardson was member
of the House OF Representatives of the Cen
eral Assembly; in lS47 member of the
State Senate; in 1851 again Representa-
tive, and in 1859 again Senator; and, in
deed, he was frequently solicited to serve
in one or the other of those positions, when
his desire for private life restrained him. His
name had also been frequently mentioned
in connection with seat in Congress, and
had be desired such prefernent it was with
in his reach. As State Legislator it is
not too much to say that in ability and in
flueuce he had no superior. He was sa-
gacious and weighty in counsel; alert and
dextrous in debate; vigilant and laborious
in committee; full and ready in information;
earnest and conscientious in conviction; and,
withal, amiable, even-tenpered, aud genial
alike with those who agreed or differed
with him-winning not more by the
strength of his understanding than the in
nate force of a character IN whose genuine
ness and purity all confided. The legisla-
ton of Tennessee during thirty years has
Wholesome impress of the mingled conser-
vative wisdom and public spirit which
guided him. Inpolitics he was a warm,
ter partisan. He was con-
stitutionaly a Wing, in the party NOM
enclature ofthe period of bis public service.
Though earnest in his views, he could not
touch extremes in anything. His mind
was clear and his temper so judicieus, that
10 conjecture of public events could defeat
him from the line of steady aud safe con-
serva.ism. He was not doctrindire in poll
tire lint al Yondaratd end Golf TOoic0H
During the eventful last session that he
served in the Senate, these qualities shone
conspiciously. No man better understood
the drift Of the stormy tide, nor more calm
IL, nor with clearer foresight surveyed the
line of conduct which true conservatism
indicated. Longtime political friends and
cOadjut0rs sWerved some to the one eX-
treme and some TO the other, but not he.
He had duty, and he did not shrink from
it, but it was not to abondon the prudent
politics of matured life, in the passions of
the hour. During and subsequent to
the war, which, in the order of a compre-
hensive patriotism, he would have averted
with his life, if he could have done so, he
remained the ssme well balanced and wise
counsellor, laboring with his pen and in
private consultation for the healing of its
cruel wounds.
In private life, DR.. Richardson was a
singularly estimable man. He was ingenu-
Gus and noble in his friendship, and these
were SIS many as his acquaintance. He was
charitable, not in the doing of tenefactions
merely, for the needy Of every degree and
color, but in thinking no evil of his fellow
men. In principle and conduct, lie was
christian, and was pillar of the religious
faith which he espoHsed. Slight of frame
and somewhat stopped in figure, he bore a
countenance of mingled meekness, intelli-
gence and strength frail casket, whose
contents were combination of mental and
moral qualities, which it were better for the
world he has Quilted, could it be oftener
seen. His remains will doubtless lie uuob-
trusively marked amid the score of his Is-
bors, but men less useful aud deserving in.
their day and generation, are commemOr-
ated in the costliest marble.