Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-04-15
From Richmond Commercial and Tobacco Leaf.
MARSHALL Hanger.


~ AUGUSTA. f
Few public men have in SO brief time at
! tanned more prominence than this gentleman
but his is one of those active daring spirits
! which achieve greatness instead of waiting to
have it thrust upon them. A glance at the man
would convince any close observer of the earn
estness and exuberant vitality which must find
vent in action-the animated face, frm, yet
mobile mouth, and quick-rolling, expressive
eye indicating in connection with his COM
plexion and the hue Of his hair and beard, the
sanguine temperament peculiar to the man Of
| dash and action.
| Born in Augusta county, he was educated at
the University of Virginia, where he graduated
with honor, also graduating in law at the same
institution, he having adopted the legal pro-
fession. E5fAf
At the breaking out of the war, he was among
arms for God and Native Land, and April, 81,
saw him with the Virginia troops at Harpers
Ferry.
| A member of the LIST Va. Cavalry, he was in
1862 appointed an officer on the STAFF of "Jeb''
Stuart and with his knightly leader rode in the
| thick and press of many hardly foughten field,
| took partin many daring foray. To enumerats
| the adventures of those who followed the
plume which, like that of Henry of Nayarre,
floated ever foremost in the fght-the South
ern Prince Rupert whose fiery gallants were
worthy descendants of the Cavaliers, who rode
down upon tho Puritan pikemen at Nasbyi
would require volume instead OF a few brief
lines, though the pen of the Southern writer IL
| fain to linger on a career which is surrounded
by halo of romantic glory-the Chevalier
without fear and without reproach, whose no
BILE soul went out under the walls of our capt.
tai, on that glorious, but luckless summers day
which robbed the South of Stuart.
Throughout the remainder of the war, the
subject of our sketch participated in all the
perils and hardships which thickened 30 fast
towards the conclusion of the struggle, until
the Southern Star Cross was furled forever on
the heights of Appomattox.
Returning to bis native county, he engaged
in the practice of his profession, in which he
soon attained prominence and distinction, and
was in go elected to the House of Delegates,
where he has served continuously ever since,
and where his activity, eloquence, and daring
soon made him leader.
In 1871 he was chosen Speaker, and held the
position for six years, achieving high reputa
ton for the promptness of his decisions, the
general correctness of his rulings, and the firm
ness with which he enforced order when his big
boys were disposed to be uEruly.
AS a parliam entarian he has few equals in
Virginia, as a speaker he is earnest, fiery, i'm
petuous; inclined to the aggressive rather than
the defensive, and always ready to carry the
war into Africa; as a worker he is a Jealous
partisan, mover neglecting an opportunity to
propagate his views and make converts to his
opinions, which are on all subjects of public
interest as fixed as fate.
He was in 1877 a member of the Gubernatorial
Convention which nominated Governor Holli-
day, and was chosen presiding officer of that
body, it requiring all his experience, tact, cool
ness. and f1rmness to preserve anything like
order among the stormy spirits wrought to the
highest pitch of excitement, and the ability
with which he discharged his trying duties was
universally conceded and admired.
dangerous, but outspoken and honorable
adversary in debate, he yields powerful in
fuence with his friends, personal and political,
and indeed very few men have more than
this warm-hearted and impulsivs man, who is
one of the most prominent leaders in the
House, and whose daring and ambition give
certain assurance of higher honors in the not
distant future.