The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-05-15
HON. JAMES L. ORR.
Letter from Governor F. ]. Moses on the
Death of Hon. James l.. Orr.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
STAFE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, May 6, 1873. J

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, may o, 1919.
The sad and startling announcement has
reached this department of the death Of Hon.
James Lawrence Orr, at ST. Petersburg, in the
fifty-third year of his life.
A public career 80 eminent and useful, clos
ing so suddenly and in distant land, must
excite peculiar and mournful interest through
out the whole country, but especially in the
State where he was born and where he had
passed all save the last of his days. At such
an hour and in the fresh grief of bereavement,
all recollection of the contentious and differ
ences which necessarily marked life so prom
inent and so full of independent and bold
action, will surely be hushed, while every pa
triotic heart will join in a tribute of proud
respect for one who, in all the stages of long
public career, was devoted to the interests OF
the State he represented and faithful to the
people from whom he sprung. Few Americans
have so steadily remained in the public service,
and fewer still have succeeded so perfectly in
securing and retaining the confidence of the
people III all the Offices which he has success
sively filled. As a member of the State Legis-
lature, when only twenty-one years OF age, and
subsequently in his rapid and brilliant ascept
through the long series of his civic honors, as
Representative in Congress, as Speaker. OF the
National House of Representatives, as Senator
in the Confederate Congress, as Governor of
this State, as one of the Judges of our Circuit
Court, and finally as Ambassador and Minister
near the Court Of st. Petersburg, he conspicu-
ously illustrated his prudence, patriotism, in
tegrity, learning and fidelity.
His character was sound, robust and lnde-
pendent; his public career was clear, bold and
unsulied by suspicion Of venal or unworthy
motives. He was an ardent patriot--sharing
warmly at one time, indeed, in the local feeling
which arrayed him against the Federal Gov
eminent; yet, when that issue was closed,
cheerfully, brayely and with much self-sacrifice
renewing his allegiance and service to the
Union of all the States, and steadily and firm
ly maintaining the authority of the Eationn,
and the equal civil and political rights of all
our citizens.
He died at distant post of duty, in one of
the most exalted stations of our public service,
far away from his native State, which he loved
and had served so we'll, but happily attended
to the last by one member oi his beloved house
hold To his stricken and mourning family
his loss will come most heavily, and to them
let our deepest sympathy be given; but let the
whole State take note that one of her most en-
inent, useful and devoted sons has fallen, and
that in the death of Governor Orr, South Car
olina has met with great and irreparable be-
reavement.
AS mark of the public respect due to so
distinguished public servant, and especially
as due from this department to one of my most
honored predecessors, it is hereby ordered, that
the Offices of the Executive Department of the
State Government be closed tomorrow, the 7th
instant, in memory of the late Governor and
Judge James L. Orr.
FRANKLIN J. MOSES, JR.,
Governor of South Carolina.