National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-02-27
OBITUARY..
Hon. G. Y. Thomas, of virginia.

hihs Ns thbnihHs VI 'hRhhh'
A prince and leader has fallen. On Tues
day of last week the spirit of this man anon 4
mem took its final flight from the scene of his
tolls aud triumphs to the realms of the here
after, 1t is unnecessary in this brief tribute
to his memory to more than refer to his early
political life, for that was passed entirely in
the councils of his native State, Virginia.
Elected for many years Commemorative attor-
noy for tho County of Henry, then successfully
to both Houses of the State Legislature, to the
Constitutional Conventions of the State both
before aud sin &C the war, and finally to the
United States Congress rs a Republican in
1S70-'72 best illustrates his hold upon popular
affection. Although u jackson Democrat when
the war of secession began, he unhositatngly
arraycd himself on the side of he Union. Ills
county paper, the MdrtinspWe Herald, although
non-partisan, pays his memory the compliment
of very lengthy editorial notice, from which
we extract the following brief but truthful
tribute TO his thorough manliness:
His allegiance to his political creed was such rs
only true and conscientious loyalty to prncip!C
could inspire. As Republican lie was honest ald
sincere in his convictions. No purer politician has
appeared in the arena for years, for his conscien-
tiou3 adherence to principle was his code.
We all know what Il was to be Republican
even IN this county, in 1SG7I0. 1t required cour-
age in an eminent degree and great personal sacri-
flee, for he had to endure social ostracsm, alen
utlOn oil mtelllBent ana cOnBenlhl lIlSnus, u
arrangement of relations loss of professional status
the scorn of the proud, aud the eers and msrepre-
sensations of the ignorant and vulgar; suGh was
the perversion of opinion as directed 10 Repuo-
licans, intolerant the proscrptyo bigotry, none
but man could adhere with safety 70 his personal
and political convictions. Under all he was true
| to his party as STEEL patriotic as faithful
Nothing perhaps in the whole public life OF
Mr.. Thomas more forcibly illustrates the
above estimate of his character than his career
in Congress in 1871. OF three native Republi-
can members from the State ut that time hC
was the only one of that number to give utter
aucc from his scat in the House to the noble
| sentiment, 81 would rather be right than be
reelected" in response to private reminders
that vote for the civil rights and force bills
would eftectually bar his return to Congress
| With full knowledge Of the prGiudiccs such
course would subject him TO, he voted fol-
them, as well as everything else that had fol
| its object the protection of human rights and
the upbuilding of Stalwart Republican princi
pies. His course did consign him to private
life, which he greatly loved, but he died in thu
faith that had been so dear to him in life.'
That his noble example may induce other
of his party to emulate his principles is de
voutly to be wished by every lover of hi
country. From long aud intimate persona
acquaintance with Mr.. Thomas the writer ma!
perhaps appropriately record his tender recol
lections of his great kindliness of heart ant
suavty of manners blended with more than
Roman firmness in the proclamation ant
maintenance of his principles. The Republi
cans Of Virginia have, indeed, lost, i'll tn
death of Christopher Y Thomas, ono of it
most trustworthy leaders and the Common
wealth one of its brightest intellects ant
worthest sons, Peace TO his ashes.
A VIRGINIAN.