The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-02-26
Stern. lnfiexib.e. Fearless.

Every season there fits through here from
Richmond, on his way to the StrbliDg
Springs, a slender little man with rosy face,
light hair, and gentle blue eyes, dressed 10
old-style, with shirt.collar Of the pattern
that was worn in the days of the ReVolu.
ton, and a stoop in his shoulders that
might become seventy years, though the
stopper is not yet forty. Few persons know
him, as be unobtrusiVely looks to bis trans.
fer Of baggage, and yet his name is more
widely known and respected than any
Judge in the State, If we except the re-
yered Judge Moncure. 1t is Gugon,
the famous judge of the city court Of the
metropolis of Virginia. He was a gal
laut captain of artillery during the war,
and after it resumed the practice of law
in Richmond. But how be ever got to be
elected judge is puzzle to everybody that
knew him. When the first Conservative
Legislature assembled in the Capitol the
canvass for the judgeships was fierce and
noisy. The few who knew and were init
mate with Guigon would have recon-.
mended him for any judicial position under
the Government but then SO few knew
him. He wouldn't be known. Quiet,
modest, extremely reticent, about all the
popuace saw of him was little sign stuck
on dingy door: GA. B. Guigop, Commis.
sioner in Chancery." Perhaps he would
have been there to-day had not bis part
ner, the eloquent criminal advocate Mar
maduke johnson, who was q splendid
'taLker. and who knew and appreciated the
man thoroughly, determined to elect him
whether or no, for Guigon always refused
absolutely to turn finger towards accom-.
;plishing it, believing that 1t was beneath the
dignity of the office to take the slightest step
towards his own election. When he was
elected he stepped into the hottest place that
could have been found for lawyer, except
that generally believed as their final
destination. Richmond for the first two
years was bubbling with reeoostruc-
tom excitement. Every decision OF the
court Was watched by political patti.
sans In Richmond and Washingtons the
most complicated cases arising under new
State laws came into bis court; scenes of
yiolepee, even TO the taking OF life, were
freqaent; struggles for the control of the
city. like that of Ellyson and Chahoou,
all conspired to render the position Of city
Judge hardly bed of roses. But this
StonewaIl jackson of a judge tred his
way GairIy and fearlessly, never doing
wrong or suffering one to pass uncheehed.
His great ability was only equaiied by bis
absolute fearlessness. Neither the high cha
racter nor the desperate character OF a
man deferred him. The halt.done work 'of
nerve!ess juries he completed with a strong
hand. He was open to nc influence OF a1y
kind. and feared neither the power OF the
high nor the violence of the low, and, bests
of all, was as little moved by his friends AS
by his enemies. BE was Rejected few
days ago by the Legislature, but day or
two before the election Richmond letter.
writer said:
"I have not heard that Judge Guigon will
have any opposition. know that many Of
tke legislators would like to see bin ousted,
but no man can be found who has The bardi-
1oed to oppose him. and there is not The
nan in Virginia who ean beat him.
"&ot the man in Virginia who can beat
,im." A compliment rs true as 1t is great.
Staunton FiadscatOr.