National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-05-01
IN NENORLAM.
THE LATE COL, WIN. sELpES,

THE LATE COL. WIN. SELDEN.
VIM. Selden, who died In this city on Tuesday,
the 18th Of April, 1874, had filled various public
offices of the United States and Of his native
State, Virginia, with distinguished ability. Born
In the Augustan age Of his State, to the inherit
ance Of an illustrious name no act of his life ever
incurred a suspicion Of impurity or selhshness,
but all were inspired by sense Of duty to his
country, his family and fellow citizens. At an
early age, aud when he had just commenced prac-
tice at the bar, he elected to the Legislature
OF Virginia, 50 memorable for its able debates in
1915, by men of the highest talent In the State.
Young as be was his participation IN them gave
promise Of his future successful career. He was
subsequently, elected by the Legislature a mem
Der Of the Prlvy Council Of State, without whose
approval the Governor could scarcely perform any
public act He was still later appointed Register
Of the Land Once, and thence was transferred to
the Office OF Treasurer OF the United States, dur
was ever heard. He was Afterwards marshal OF
But the purity Of character was best illustrated
In his social relations where HIS heart was incur
tained and manifested the wish to contribute to
the happiness Of his friends, not only in Virginia,
but at the capital Of the United States; In the
the eminent men Of that distinguished period in
her history when Madison, Marshall, Monroe,
Rsndoiph q johnston SsISI I saIh101s
y. Taylor, Stanard, Judge Tucker, H. s. Tucker,
Gall, Stevenson, Lomax, Dodridge, Judge Scott,
Brockenbrough, Roaux, Richie, Upshlr, Sum-
mers, Mason, Powell, j. T. Brown, Macfsriand,
and others Of like stamp would meet IN the hos.
pitable residences Of Richmond lay aside all
stilted ceremonies and indulge In wit and spark
ling pleasantry-all Of these eminent men being
alive and In Richmond ut the same time. II the
maxim, "CGrntsss prfRcipibus vtris, non Ultima
Idus est'-to be esteemed by great men, 10 not the
least OF praise-be true, Mr.. Selden might well be
satisfied He knew them all, and his verbal
sketches were deeply interesting. Lfs-f ~
Often was he. In later days, implored to devote
his classic pen to biographical sketch Of this
diadem Of the sons OF Virginia, with whom he was
SO intimately assoclated-no other could have
done Il 80 well-but he put It of too long, and no
historian Is le, having the advantage Of his per-
sonal knowledge, adequately to depict in true
colors the briIliancy OF that diadem-a diadem
that would have adorned any State OF this Union,
and, perhaps, any one period In English history.
A Northern editor ct that time said there proba-
bly, had not been as much talent in any Assem- ply
| Of one hundred men as In that Virginia conven-
tion Of 1880 for Thousand years.
| In view Of Mr.. Selden's aptitude of description
and deinestion, his death, without leaving such
o memorial, ma be regarded as public calamity
| As 9, private citizen he was esteemed and re-
garded perfect gentleman, OF high order Of
talent-kind 20 all who approached him, and jusf,
as Aristdes. He leaves an Interesting family to
mourn their loss. 5s-zT y A FRIEsD.