The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-04-13
Death Of Hon. Lueien H. Chandler.

fears were entertained that lie had committed
suicide. He had been, the evening before. in
O respondent state of mind and from VARIOUS
attendant circumstances the conclusion seemed
to be justified that lie had sought relief from
the ''painf,l breathings in this harsh world''
in that sleep that shuts out the tempests of
life. During the night, after busily writing
for some time, he had called his affectonate
and devoted daughter to his side, and throw
ing his arms around her neck. said to her,
You have been a kind, good child.'' To
which she responded, Il fear rot as much so
as should have been; but father, you are
keeping something from me - 'sNotliing,
t.a'gflter.' He was known to have left his
room between and O'Clock in the morning
in his pight clothes, but no suspicion was ell
tertained that he contemplated self-destruction.
as he had informed his family that he would
leave for Richmond on the 5 o'clock train
When 70 satisfactory explanation of his
strange disappearance could be given. diigent
search was made for him in every direction,
and finally his dead body was discovered in
well on the premises where he resided.
the lie OF this brilliant and versatile Child OF
genius, will send a thrill of sorrow through
many hearts, and draw the sympathetic tear
from eyes unused to the melting mood" In
all cur associations with men, we have never
met more sensitive and delicate Or
ganism than that of Lucien Ii. Chandler. His
nature was attuned to the sweetest and soft
t,,rt. p
| the sight of a flower or the tril of bird
would touch Il responsive chord that would
swell cut in the most beautiful thoughts that
the inspiration OF poesy could create. His soul
was a living fountain of the purcst and most
refined emotions, which linked the lovely
creations and garntures of eartll-the blush
ing rose, the gurgling brook, the spreading To-
| liagc OF spring-wth that ETHEREAL world, where
his thoughts would mount, as if drawn by
some magnetic power, kindred and irressii
BILE. We remember once to have been in his
company in Washington city, when he was
pressed with business and wearied with i'm
] por;unties. We passed along the spacious av-
enucs of that picturesque and beautiful city,
until we approached the Treasury building,
when he suddenly halted to gaze upon the
flower beds that spread out like variegated
boquet in the surrounding grounds. He knew
the name of each, and forgetting the cares Of
life and the Eerplexites of his profession, he
became lost in contemplation, giving wide
range to his poetical Imagination, and drawing
upon lis rich store OF classical literature,
| Hooded out stauZas after stanzas from the
most finished authors to give vent TO the
teeming thoughts that pcoplcd his BRAIN And
| unmHdful OF the mission upon which he Lad
originally started, he turned abruptly around
| and proceeded to the Agricultural grounds,
where during almost the entire day he reveled
II The aroma and sentiment of flowers 1t
W2s on this occasion that we caught the first
insight into tise character of Lncien II. Chan
der. Here the rough political gladiator, deal
ing in the sternest facts of State and the keen
est thrusts Of invcctirc and repartee-discus-
sing with masculine vigor the fundamental
questions Of government, and applying with
rigorous logic the events of past and present
history-was lost in the gentle spirttlat melt
ell into child-ike simplicity and purity, as he
fondled with his floral companions, and train
ell his thoughts from Nature to Natures God.
We had heard Mr.. Chandler on the stump and
had had our admiration excited by the aff1u-
ence OF his learning, the spcndor of his rlcto-
rlc, the grace and charm of his eloquence, the
richness of his illustrations and the point and
force of his sit. We had learned to almost
reverence his wonderful gifts in polemical
Journeys and the mastery influence his ora
tory exerted over his hearers, for even here
there was always sparkle of that kindly IA
tlrc that reigned supreme within. But we
ilad never conceived an idea of the wealth of
gentle sentiment and pure thought that we'll
ell up from his innermost soEl-those beautiful
growths that spring from he hoiest spiritual
affinitics, and are fashioned OF that love
which is born of MISUNDERSTANDING forth the
good, the true and the bcautiful'' in life -
Not only here. where art and nature had so
blended their attractions rs to inspire the
pnrest though is and emotions, and where the
iHner-self Ct Mr.. Chandler seemed to feast and
expand, and overflow with kindred sentiment
gushing out as from an unpent fountain, but
in his study, surrounded by the choicest and
most excellent authors, where he eommuned
with the congenial spirits that still live in the
beautiful records of song and story, he indul-
ged that exquisite taste and sweet. gentle as
piration which threw halo OF moral excellence
over his entire nature.
Indeed, the moving, active. busy world
knew not Lucieil II. Chandler. 1t did not
understand the sensitive, delicate emotions
that vibrate'l his being, and responded to the |
softest and tenderest influences of all that is |
lovely in man. 1t did not recognize the |
beauty of the soul within, as his warm heart
and open palm responded to the appeals OF
poverty aud the tears OF suffering. He tossed
his charity as carclessly as others, as he passed
along the highways Of the city. yet there was |
a wealth of meaning in his kind words and |
gentle inquiry accompanying it-a sympathy
that felt for the woes of his fellow men and Il |
heart that beat in unison with their misfor-
tunes. He was Only known as the eloquent
orator and peerless debater-tlie fierce political
knight-crrant, who approached his opponent
with poised lance and visor down-ready at i'll |
times to enter for combat, and never van
pushed. And it was because of this that the
selfish malignity of political foes and the I'M
scrupuious fecklessncss of licentious partizan |