The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-05-12
The Late John r. Ednunds.


The death of JouS K. EDMrSLs, Of li'''''N'
announced in the Dispatch of Frida!' car
re, u> back 10 DAYS full of interest. 'c'aa"S
"a the personal and political history OF w,
c,uia Mr.. EpNrNps WIS born al ii l"'''u VI
IN. S:,t,.s history in which the pu''ic eh'-
,,.os ,s GOOD As il ever was in this COM
m,nwcalth. and we believe ui'shr'">Sea 'o'
an shat makes a nation respected ana great
n any age or in any country. the s'tnp'-
city and economy of the revolutionary age I"
10 were rigidIy preserved. National "a
lr,o.sm was strong, and the sentiment nl d.
votion 10 the public good rose high above all
selfish considerations. Revolutionary Ia
Tiers Still lived in the bosom Of the commit
MY. and taught the lessons OF virtue ana
hcrosm. and imbued the minds OF the ilsihS
Generation with the noble idea that the wa!
to Glory waste love and serve your country
It WAS 30 Idle age. Men wee lndu>tfl-
ou-. frugal. and temperate. Harmony pre-
vailed. The common Offerings aud pcrfls OF
all ID. S;a;C> in resisting common enemy
had establish. Il fraternal feeling amongst
them which made them all of one mind.
aud really presented that happy national
condition OF the States which las been IL
lti>fra,cd by the sentiment: Distinct rs the
pillows. enc as the sea- The test ct this
harmony and union was soon to be made
second time III our second war with Great
Britain, which occurred 80 soon after Mr..
EuNCxnS's birth: and, if we except Massa-
cli.l>rttS. which then displayed that way
vardne>S, sclti>lInc>>. and proncne>> TO dis
turb the public peace which have since
marked her conduct, the test fully proved
the concord and mutual devotion of the
States to the defence and independence OF the
w.cic country. The spirit Of manhood was
cherished, and the alacrlty of the citizen to
rush 70 tac public defence was con>pic-
uou-.
These Thugs had a powerful influence
upon that generation born in the early part
o! this century. Energy and fidelity, SIM
pi'ity and integrity. were 50 prevalent that
Violence, disorder. and crime were rare.
zach u thing rs ianblc>>ne<s to public trust
was almost unhcirtl OF. The State was still
governed by the constitution framed by our
revolutionary fathers; voters were free
holders, who elected the best men for law
nahcJS, aud they again elected the best
U,i.cs aud chief niay i>trates. Dccorum and
dignity prevailed in every department o! the
"o:ern.ncnt. and honesty, strict account
ahiiit, aud ccJliomv were no less the dis
,ln..us!a. features Of the public admins
l.;siioE.
Hul times were changing. The restless
n">s of nmn he.an to display itself in the
,t.ier part o! the second decade and at the
clos, of .hc third the first inroad upon the
i,!rr>' system OF government that man ever
liyri Under had been made. The pot
hri'crs" were admitted to vote hy The new
Constitution at 1879. That was not bad in
ia."L h.li il was the entering wcd-c to
vu!i.,S :int have since modified d'>i>trou>it
IT.. ln'rlir character and III" iaithnIncs> OF
.fliic servants.
Nir ErNrSrS entered the Legislature ut IL
,';;ir oyer hi, minority. He had graduated
al thc University with honor, and hy the
.piiul'. antl hljyhllc>. OF his mind he SOON
Won til" position Of II leader amongst the
c"il~rtiou> men then in the Legislature. The
,.r,,t men who sat i'll the Convention of 80
L. amend the Constitution were fast rcccding
from public view. and their followers were
emerging 10 distinction. MApISoS. MONROE.
MARSHALL, EA>poLrH. III ,cKEvR$, and Don.
int I.,,. IL
passed away. ending the revolutionary race
md lea, IN. behind those who were educated
t.; revolutionary fathers 10 assume Tie bur
lh,u- ci government. Among these wore
hfoM,o"!E +. JoHN THOMPSON Brown, GoopE,
STUART. SoyTnAII, GlIMiK. BEuArNAX, BAL
LARD PRESTON. DoEMAH, the Rnrkbridye
McoRES. FENpLEToS (JouN y, and II host OF
Others. These were slightly in advance III
poini Of time OF EpMvNps. lie wa, the ul-
mediate contemporary of HUNTER az. n.
T.. TrH>TALL, BALDWIN. MApTIN of Henry
EAYlhY, HODGES Of Nansemoud. FRASER Of
Augusta. aud many Others of shining talents
who took prominent Inrt in legislation and
politics. The State was proud and conscious
81 safety with such SONS TO direct her do
En.ic Affairs.
Ii WJN about 1883 ar 81 that Mr.. EpMUNps
"gnc 10 the Legislature He was not Tar
riG' or ornamental orator, but an accurate
:nd >ag"cious statesman. lie was II close, and
clear and concise lo"ician, and one of the
best business men Of the legislative councils
of his day. He displayed the fruit, Of his
early education. lie was IN economist in
;hc >tate>manlike sense, and us chain man CT
'Iic Committee of Finance, position he
held Tor many years, he never fai:ed TO eXhi.
hit the financial condition of the State in a
clear and accurate manner. He never iuiled
TO make the best vindication Of his views,
and displayed that unfaltering devotion and
ATT, ntion to the public interest, and public
hu. res. which in legislator is invaluable
20 the State. He WAS always well informed
on every leading subject, and took an active
part i'll every question involving the general
interests Of tile State. Plain and simple in
his language, and direct, rapid, and animated
in discussion. he never failed to command
attention. and is an adversary in debate was
always regarded with respect.
HIS last session was that of 1856, when he
was chairman of the Committee on Banks
During that session Governor FLOYD the
late Gcncral) introduced hi, measure Of Il
banking system based upon public stocks,
and III Il contest with tie power and genius