The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-05-08

talents and great reputation. Both were DEM
secrats, and the contestdepended upon PERSONAL
popularity and activity; and after an animated
and excited canvass, Judge Orr was elected byl
Zoo msjority, which was hattering evidencel
1of war1a appreciation, and an extraordinary
tribute 70 his ability and worth. He was reg 1
ularly reelected thereafter at the close of eachl
term, without opposition, for the space cfI
eleven years. When Judge Orr entered Con-
gress, taat body presented brilliant array of
talent. In the Senate were Calhoun, Clay andi
Webster, Cass, Douglass and Benton; in the
House Of Representatives were Toombs, Ste
|phens, Winthrop and others of pre-eminent|
ability. Among these prominent and shining|
flights, the young statesman soon assumed a||
position of Importance, which commanded
both respect and esteem. Although rarely
consuming the time of the House by speaking,I
She always received marked attention, and rap
idly won his way to distinction. His principal
speech, during the fnt Congress in which he|
served, vas upon. the agitation of the slavery;
question, which he earnestly deprecated. His
speeches were marked by calm and cogent|
reasoning, an elevated tone and sound consti- 4
ltutional doctrine. Always sustaining his po-|
gssitions with eloquence and forcible argument
and exhibiting great fairness in debate, he ex-
3ercised Il powerful influence upon the question
lof day, during his eventful Congressional ca
areer. Els habits of thorough investigation and
analysis, and tenacious adherence to his con-
avictions of right, frequently placed him at the
E|head of important committees, and his reports
rank among the ablest in the legislative records
lat Washington.
His fearlessness and determination, however,
were never more aptly illustrated than during
athe exciting events of 1851 and '52, when a
proposition was made to withdraw South Caro-
lima from the Union, in consequence Of the
aodious Compromise Measures, to which he was
likewise earnestly opposed, on what he deemed
constitutional grounds. But he was opposed
Ito separate secession on the ground of its in
sexpediercey; and as a member of the State
sConvention, which met at Charleston in May,
51S51, he made bold and striking speech, ex-
! pressing his honest convictions, and manfully
maintaining his position. This speech was
Scirculated by the cooperation party throughout
i the State, and produced most powerful effect,
resulting finally in the defeat Of separate State
saction. ..a.;I5..
While serving as chairman of the Committee
!of the Whole, in the House of Representatives
during ahe discussion of the most important
Sand exciting measures, he displayed so much
apromptness, frmness and intelligence in his
decisions, and thorough impartiality as pre-
siding officer, that he won the respect and con
afdence Of all parties, and this service pointed
him out as the proper man for Speaker of the
House. At the opening of Congress in 1857,
he was nominated by the Democrats for that
position, and was elected without opposition
Unsurpassed in parliamentary practice, and
ampartiaily administering its rules, Speaker
sOrr acquired an enviable reputation as pre-
siding officer, and fully justified the expecta-
3tions of mis- personal and political friends. /
I At the close of the Thirty-Fifth Congress,
Judge Orr announced his intention of retiring
Ito privase life, and resuming the practice of
bis profession. His fellow-citizens gave him al
grand ovation at Craytonville in August, 1882
lat whicts letters were read from distinguished
men in all parts of the country, uniting in the
general Eegret at his purpose of leaving the
public service. But he was not long to enjoy
the quiet of his home, or engage in the prac-
atice of law, wherein he rapidly regained most
lucrative business. In April, 1860, he was
again prominent as member of the National
Democratic Convention, which met in Charles
ton, and resulted in the disintegration of the
Democratic party. AS events progressed j
Judge Ors became supporter of Breckenridge
for the Presidency. Upon the election of Mr.
Lincoln, the Secession Convention assembled
lin December, 1860, and he was one of the
members from Anderson, and favored the i'm 4
mediate secession of the State. When the
ordinance of secession was passed, he was se-
alected as Special Commissioner to Georgia, for
1.-THE purpose of securing the cooperation of
that STATE in the movement; and also he was
chosen one of the three Commissioners who
went to Washington, for the purpose of treat
ling with The general government for the sur
render of the forts in Charleston harbor.
Orr's Regiment of Rifles was organized I'M
the summer Of 1861, and he commanded that
fine body of troops until the following winter,
when he was elected to the Confederate States
Senate, in which position he served throughout
the war. In June, 1864, he offered a resolution,
during secret session of the Senate, for the
appointment of commission, to meet SINH \
lar one on thegart of the Federal Government
flor the purpose of negotiating peace between
the two sections butthe resolution, after being
debated for ten days, failed to pass the Senate.
In July. 1865, Messrs. James L. Orr, B. FL
Perry and Armistead Burt were chosen Special