Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1880-01-03
John v. L. Mcmahon.

| SEeab ueu, nhS prouuCeu nono Sie"'Si
in all attributes of manhood he was
truly "man of mark )" like the
grand mountains which surround the
scenes of his boyhood, he lowered uE
an intellectual giant. Early in life
John Van Lear Mcmahon became a
member Of the Maryland bar, and
made his home in Baltimore. Youth
full as he was he soon took rank with
the most distinguished members of bis
profession, amongst whom he has had
few peers and no superiors. He was
a great orator and lawyer, and in
the business of his profession he was
careful, painstaking and conscien-
tious. OF him it might be said, as
was quantity remarked of Francis
Plowden, who was offered the Chan
cellorship of England by Queen
Elizabeth, and refused it:
"How excellent u medley is made,
When honesty and ability meet
In man of his profession"
Those who have enjoyed the privi-
lege of hearing Mcmahon at the bar
and on the forum can never forget his
matchless eloquence. The "masa
meeting" of the friends of Harrison
and Tyler was the grandest outpour-
ing of the people ever witnessed in
the United States even the sight OF
the vast multitude assembled on Can
ton fields was inspiring, and it did in
spire the great orator, who was fully
"equal to the OCCASION" and to his
fame. This was one of his grandest
efforts. Who that heard him can for
get the thrill sent through his sys-
TEN, when in clarion tones he called
"the nation to order?"
When McMahon did take part in
public affairs (and great occasions
called him out sometimes) it was to
direct, control and advise; after that
he considered his part done for he
had no desire to enter the arena OF
party strites.
In those days the sharp practices Of
the present did not prevail. To be a
Representative or Senator in Congress
meant something-the holding of such
positions generally implied ability,
character and fitness it is very DIFF
ferent nowadays. Mr.. McMahon
steadily refused a seat in either House
of Congress, as he also refused the ap-
pointment of Attorney General of the
United States, which was rendered to
him more than once.
He wanted no office and he was q
riddle to the politicians, who could
| not understand how a man could de-
cline such temptations. The mans
| character was "beyond their ken.
Mr.. Mcmahon was ambitious, but it
was in his profession; he loved it, he
| loved his books, his friends, and his
ease. His tastes were simple. In the
| summer he visited his kindred, and
he loved to ramble over the scenes Of
his boy days in Allegany, to meet
friends, high and low; for all he had
a kindly greeting. These were his
reoreations, and he preferred them tc
all the watering places on earth.
There has recently appeared in
Baltimorea small volume, purportinl
| to be a "Life of John Van. Lear McMa-
hon." The book contains something
to commend and much to condemn
In the first place the author appears
not to have been much acquainted
with the family antecedents of his
subject (very important matters in
biography A little inquiry would
have elected the fact that Mr.. McMa'
hons maternal grandsire was John
| Van Lear, after whom he was named
at his baptism, and Mr.. McMahor
did not "assume the name of Var
Lear in compliment to kinsman."
There are other blemishes in thu
book, which the friends of Mr.. McMa
hon regret to see printed in biogra
ply. The charge of "timidity" il
mentioned so often that the reade
would suppose that "timidity' was
chronic weakness Of the great lawyer
At one time he "gave way to intem
perance," which is somthing new t.
those who knew him best. Lastly
Mr.. Mcmahon is made to "cower t.
Henry A. Wise"
This is a remarkable statement
Where could the author have gottel
his authority? Not from Mcmahon
and Governor Wise could not hav,
avpoaad If Tf aenselesa CLAW could bl