Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-06-19
From the Abbeville Medium, 11th inst
David T.. Wardlaw.

From the Abbev1lle Medium, l1th 1nSt.
David L. Wardlaw.
Another name has been added to the
catalogue of death, another star has re-
tired from the galaxy of the great and
the good, another OF South Carolina's
honored sons lies III the cold embrace OF
the grave. David Lewis Wardlaw, as a
shock of corn fully ripe for the harvest, is
gathered home to his fathers The learned
1urist, the honorable counselor, the incor-
ruptible Judge, the highnindcd patriot,
the atfable gentleman, the atfectlonate
father and friend, the popular man rests
his labors and affections. He. to whom
the people, in times gone by, resorted on
all occasions whether civil, martial or mu-
nicipal has laid aside the sword, the gown
and the badge OF Office and rests with the
congregation of tho dead The grave holds
II treasure and the resurrection morn alone
will give back the man whose loss we
mourn.
How strange Is life, how mysterious
death Yesterday bright, buoyant hon
ored and happy to-day sombre, sad-a
wreck. The smile is bedewed with the
tear, the song OF triumph and victory
mingles with the sad wall Of a1lction and
and the requiem Of the dead.
"And the stately ships go On
To their haven under the hill =
But OH for the touch OF vanlsheo
hand
And the sound of voice that Is STILL
when the humblest citizen dies we
remember that breach has been made in
some home andthatsiond hearts are over
come with grief and sorrow, but when a
man dies, who had for a long time attract
ed the public gaze and admiration
who had labored increasingly for the pros
perity of the country and the happiness
of society, chasm has been made which
time cannot bridge over For such an one
is our community this day clad in mourn
ing. A great man has departed from
amongst us; man of noble qualities Of
mind, who spoke the truth, scerned to DO
base and ignools action, who was faith
full in his Obligations to society. active IN
his philanthrophy, and self-saerlhclag IN
his efforts to promote the public welfare.
Judge Wardlaw was one OF the Oldest
citizens in Abbeville County, end at the
time of his death more than seventy four
wears of age. He was born in Abbevillee
village onsthe 2Sth March, 1799, and
during his long life knew no other home;
He was a pioneer of our civilization and
prosperity; the first native born citizen IN
our town and a link in the chain connect
ing the present with the remote past.
Judge Wardlaw was hero of the olden
time and undeniaoly one Of the greatest
men we ever knew. He was not ostenta-
tious, he was great without any humbug.
Bat he has gone. On; Sunday morning
last. at five o'clock, he fell asleep.
Judge Wardlaw received his early edu-
cation at the celebrated school OF DR..
Waddell at Wellington, and from there
went to the South Carolina College where
he graduated with the first honors OF his
class in 1916, at the early age of eighteen,
and Immediately returned to Abbevlile.
He soon became distinguished as lawyer.
He represented Abbeville for many years
in the Legislature, where he was Speaker
of the House Of Representatives until
elected Judge in December, lS4l. As
Judge he faithfully discharged the duties
of his exalted Office until displaced by the
new constitution Of 1853. He was Judge
of South Carolina for twenty-seven COM
secutive years and, the latter part Of that
time. one Of the Judges Of the Supreme
Court. We have heard it said that,
during the period. be was never absent
from his post single court. Our State
Reports are full Of the evidence OF h,.
great labors as Judge Much might be
said of his admirable character as judi
cial magistrate, but We are not now pre-
pared to do SO. 1t is known OF all men
that he was conscientious, faithful, clear,
laborious and able, and that his official in
tegrity was as pure and as unsuliled as
the sun in the heavens.
Judge Wardlaw was emphatically a
lawyer and one of the best the State has
ever produced. He had high admira-
ton for his profession and devoted himself
exclusively to it. He never left 1t ior
politics, in which, as in everything else,
his steady good sense was conspicuous.
He did, however, without interrupting
the continuity of his professional career.
allow himself, before he was elected Judge,
to be sent to the Legislature and after ne
became Judge, he was a member OF all
the important State Conventions which
took piacein his day, prior to the recon
struction Of 1869. He was a member Of
the Convention OF 1881 OF the Conven-
ton in 1850 and President of the Conven-
ton 1865. 1t is well-known that he did
not think Secession wise He exercised
his earnest protest against it, but, when
his fcllow-citizens, carried away by the
whirl wind, refused to hear him and de-
termined 10 sccedc, he acquiesced and,
after it was done. believing that only sue
cess could save the State from rum, la
bored hard " achieve it, When the die
was cast he felt that all was at stake and
no man in the South made more sacrifices
of property, in proportion to his means,
or Of the blood Of his kindred. After the
disastrous and heart-rending struggle was
over he did all in his power to smooth the
way to restoration and fraternity, and,
among other things, wi Ii associates went
to Washington on & special mission of
peace and love for his stricken people.
After the failure of President Johnson's
plan of restoration and the reconstruction
Of the State legislated him out OF his
Office of Judge, which he had adorned
with every virtue for more than a quarter
of century, he laid aside the gown that
he had worn so long, without any unman-
ly repining. Being reduced in cream
stances he betook himself at very ad-
yanced age, gracefully, cheerfully and
heroically. to the labors and duties Of
private citizen, and it was as an individual
and man that he was greatest, best and
leveliest. 1t was left for him to I'VE
another striking proof that it is not office
that dignifes the man, bat the man the
office. In all business relations he was
lust, exact, prompt and scrupulously hon
est. He died near the spot where he first
saw the light, and we venture to declare
that no man living can say that he ever
yarieI ! one hairs breadth from the strctest
integrity and purity Of conduct. He was
the inlpersonation OF candid truth, and
hated deception IN all its forms with
holy hatred.
Asa townsman and neighbor, Judge
Wrdlaw was sympathizlng, generous,
and hospitable. He treated all with kind
" consideration, and Was in turn beloved
bv all AS citizen, he was during has