Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-01-06
The Late Senator Caperton.

W eet USluldi was ul1dtt auu appropriate
euosies were delivered by Senator's Davis and
Price, and other Senators. and by Representa-
tives Faulkner, Hereford aud Wilson, of West
Virginia, aud by members from other States.
We give place TO the
REMARKS OF Hon. C. j. Faulkner.
Mr.. Speaker, my colleague who sits near
me. mr. Hereford. J. having, as it was alto
sether appropriate for him, given a somewhat
detailed sketch Of the lie aud services Of the ln-
diyidual whose death has just been announced,
il will only be expected from me 70 give my
personal recollections and impressions of the
deceased, as derived from my occasional official
aud private association with him. Although
we were both natives and citizens of the same
State, and of the same grand division of the
State, yet we were widely separated by dis
lauce from each other, ADD rarely met except
when engaged 10 the public councils OF our
State or Of the nation This is not an occasion,
in my view of II, for indiscriminate or exagge-
rated eulogy, but very fit and appropriate
occasion to portray the real character OF the de-
ceased, and to let the story of his life suggest
such reflections as the facts may fairly warrant.
Mr. Caperton was not among the most dis
tineuished men Of either Of the two States
which have honored him with their confidence;
but be was 4 fair and honorable representative
Of high-toned and educated class Of country
eeallemeG who gave a character to Virginia
society and exercised a sAlutary influence upon
the particular ueighborhOOds in which they
lived. Inheriiing large landed estate from
us imme6ia,e ancestor, be was removed above
the necessity Of pursuing any profession rs
means Of livelihood; and yet as was not I'M
cOmmon among youths similarly situated with
himself 10 that State, be received the benefits
of liberal and classical education. and passed
through the curriculum Of Yale and the Uni
versity of Virginia with credit and distinction.
Such an education at that period usually EN-
braced course Of municipal, constitutional,
and national law, and was sought after by our
Young men Of Inherited fortunes, not 0s q
means Of gain or profit, but as a source OF In
telectual enjoyment, and as q stepping stone
1 to political preieruent, Blessed With SOUND
constitution, handsome person, frahk and en-
gazing manners, an easy ilOw Of language, al
ample fortune, and animated by noble bat
modest aspirations f0r public service, no young
man could have commenced life with promise
ola more useful and honorable career.
Ills mind was quick, sprightly, penetrating
aud accurate, but not Of the highest and most
/ robust order. Il had not been disciplined by
/ habitual labor nor invisorated BY the stern
collision Of intellectual gladiatorship. Ills
\ memory was tenacious aud his fancy OCCASION
ally brilliant, while suppressed aud gentle
humor gave a peculiar charm TO his conVersa-
ton. His literary taste, naturally acute aud
I delicate. had been assiduousy cultivated and
improved by careful study Of the best English
( classics.
As statesman he was essentially conserVa-
tive in all his views lie was sincere behev-
er ia the superiority and value Of free institu-
tons aud 80 iuAexible advocate of all the just
rights Of the people and yet he was 90 dem
agogue. His appeals were always to the Tes-
son, not to the passions or prejudlces OF his
hearers He never fattered popular iollles,
but often exhibited peculiar pride IN avow,
ing an unpopular opinion if he Lad himself
full faith in its s0undness. lie looked with
intense admiration upon the wis lom and sa-
gacity displayed in the Constitution OF the L
nited States, and was disposed, especially 10
his earlier life, to give too broad and liberal a
construction TO its implied powers. lie was
the stern and iDAeXible supporter OF what he
believed 20 be the right; and perhaps treated
with too much levity and harshness what was
deemed by Others expedieni IN morals ana pol
tics. His maxim in life was Nhd zero uhte,
quOd non idsm hOHeJtum.
There was one quality which strikinsly dis,
tinguished MIR. CapeTtOn, and which all VIII
recognize who enjoyed the pleasure OF bus &C
quaintance, aud that was an elevated tone OF
mind and morals. which rendered him capa-
bic Of countenaucing low OF mean acton.-
/ lie shrank from all humbuggery, impostufe'
/ and false pretenSion as something vile aud con-
/ Eliminating. lie was a stranger 10 the gna~-
iugs Of envy be stabbed 10 man 10 the dark f;
he took no unmanly advantage OF 90 opponent;
/ he was modest in the assertion OF his own mer-
/ il; disdained 10 appropriate credit or honor 10
I himself which he had not fairly aud honestly
earned buI did full Justice to all who were as
/ sociated with him in jolnt labors OF any Kind.
| tie never sought 20 impress himself upon tue
/ world as something greater or better than be
/ really was. la other words, be was through
cut life sincere, truthful, honest aud honora-
/ bic nan.
' Ny Acquaintance with Mr.. Caperton COM
I menced at Richmond, in 1871. He was then
I a delegate from the county Of Monroe, one OF
I the transmontaue aud western counties OF that
State. The agricultural interests OF MS con-
I sttuen,s were at that time suffering severely
| from the want Of a cheap and convenient trans
! pO'tation Of their products to market, and he,
I keeDly sympathizing with their necessities, be-
/ came soon recognized as an ardent and earnest
I friend u liberal system Of internal improve
ments At that time the great scheme which
| absorbed the attention Of the State was con-
I tinuous line Of water communication between
I the Seaboard and the Ohio River by the val
I leys Of tue James and Ksnawha RiveTs-an
enterprise suggested by the unerrins foresight
/ Of the Father Of our COuntry-showu 20 be
! practicable BY the engineering science OF Nc
I Neil Elles, Fisk, and Lorraine, aud pushed
forward IN its construction by the laoors oil
/ Cabell aud the eloquence Of Mcdowell. MI
| Capertoo attracted attention by bis earnest adj
vocacy Of this great national thOfouGhisre,
work which now challenges the attention OF
Congress aud ranks among the public works
best entitled to its consideration and patronage
Ny next association with him was in 1880
as a member Of the reform constitutional con-
vention Of Virginia.
The people Of Virginia for half century az
ter the close Of the revolutionary war lived IN
der a State constitution which would hardly
be regarded rs republican in these advanced
days Of democratic progress. Population as
shs basis Of representative power in the Legis
laiure was wholly ignored The smallest coun-
ties, with a population Of a few hundred lnhao-
itauts, bad the same weight in the Legislature