The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-06-02
NIECKLENBURG COUNTY.

tptY WITH 4 NcV0GENARlAN-AN OLD EX-
r1>GEESSNAN-THE ONLY SURVIVOR or The
VIRGINIA CONVENTION OF '29-30.
correspondence Of the Richmond Dispa.ch.I
BUFFALO LlIH1A SPRINGS. NA.,l
Nav IS. 1881.
Iw3, nav good fortune ieT DAYS ago to
eri.y The hospitality Of p parsonage re-.
uHk4ble FOL biz age and di>tinguis bed for
imroliant public services at an early period
Of bis couDtrN'> biStOTy-a man old enough
s have seen Washington, aud known per-
..n.Ily every President from the Father of
Of, Country 10 General Garfield. | refer o
,5e Hon. Mark Alexander, OF this county.
Although he has passed by a score Of
1ts', the duration OF human life allotted by
toe Psa'mist. he Still rttsinS an astonishing
vitality. appearance, and vigorous memory.
Cicero once said that an old age was not
worth living. but afterwards wrote his DE
stmeiuic, which among classic readers is
considered The most splendid Of his produc-
iloA'.
>cCrtaiued from Mr.. Alexander tha' be
VI, in Congress from 1919 to 1884, and, so
far - bis knowledge extends, there is no
person living who was a member when he
fr,i entered the balls OF legislation. He
thinks possibly a Mr.. Cuthbert. OF Georgia,
who served with him, may be living. He
vas an lrishmau, ahd the last accounts Mr.
Alexander bad seen Of him he was in Mo-
bic. Ala, AGED ninety-two, practicing law.
Thi, latter statement Mr.. Alexander said be
was reluctant TO believe. When he was in
public life such men as Adams, Jefferson,
Madison. Monroe. Jackson. j. q. Adams,
Clsg. Randolph. Webster, Calhoun, Benton,
and other ilIustrious names figured con-
p~s..s.uuf in tho uOliflcal arena.
When asked how he reached Washington
from here in those times, he said by private
CONVEYANCE 10 Fredericksburg and then by
boat. and some travelled the whole distance
oyelhnG-the time required 10 make the
triq. about two weeks. Congressman then
messed together. did not board, and he did
not remember the hotel charges. The dis.
tiugui,hed Nathaniel Macon, OF North Caro-
linz. and The brilliant Randolph OF Roanoke
were hl, mf.,maits. He j. great admirer
Of John Randolph, and cheIisbes for him
the fonde,t aud proujest remembrance :.
H. considered him the grandest orator he
bad ever li>teusd 10. The pay OF con-
gresham was then eight dollars Per day.
There vas no daily stenographlc report OF
ile proceedings Of Congress, but Gales n
SeaiOn published "A tTi.weekly paper and
gave an admirable report and summary Of
lb- most important speeches and actions.
lie va, a member of the Virginia Con-
yention Of 1929 80, and at The SINE time a
member Of Congress. He considered That
body tue ATTEST assembly OF men be bad
ever ,een-Madison the great intellect of it,,
aul BENJAMIN Watkin. Leigh the most ac-
tive member. Since the recent death OF
Mr.. Grigsby, Of Charlotte, Mr.. AleXan der
i.tbe sole SURVIVOR OF that celebrated Con-
yentOn.
Like all old men. be bemOans the degene-
lacy Of the times and the reverses Of his
people. and does not think the South Will
ever recover It's former power and prosper
ifs. He reads the papers OF the prC>enl
day with great interest; was last IN wash
ingtOn in 1853: j. fond OF recaliln@ scene,
Of former years, and seems 10 delight IN the
associations aud rec0hectiOns OF The past
30 il j. with all, time deals gently win our
early memories, eflicing all but the Dright
cOlOTing OF happiness. The loy0usness oi
youth lives on, even when maturer year :
bring sudden and less happy days.
Mr.. Alexander l. Of medium stature
walks without cane, visits occasionally
reads without glasses. has good teeth, sleeps
We'll, but thought his hearing was impaired
from quiniue. During his life has used TO-
excessive use OF stimulating liquors. His
ts'imablc wife, a daughter OF Governor
Turner, Of North Carolina, still lives, Is
twenty years younger than her venerable
husband, and next month they can celebrate
their golden wedding.
IL is seldom an opportunity occurs TO see
couple 80 aged, refined, and hospitabie,
and distressing 10 see that during the yicis-
STUDIES Of The last fifteen years they have
been greatly reduced from their former af-
huence. But isOlIied as they are from the
activities and eXcitemeDts OF this progress
slYe age, they can quietly enjoy their de-
hgbtiul country home. with its pleasant
surroundings, showing now the improve
meats Of taste and wealth, beauti6ed with
elegant walks, OfDameDtal sbrubbery, and
stately trees; aud reflect IN peaceful sOli-
Jude upon the great events which have
transpfed during their life, and treasure
Tie associations with the great and cultured
suil kept green in their memory.
Old men who recall the time when Mr..
Alexander served In the national councils
say bis constituents were enthusiastic 10
bis support, and that bis public career was
noted for devotion 20 their interests, ndel-
ily TO principle; and against bis purity OF
purpose and integrity OF character the
tongue OF suspicion never uttered syila'
bic.
When bid adieu TO the venerable states.
man on a bright and lovely afternoon ana
slowly rode along the elegant grounds eA-
tended lawns, interpreted Win Nefgieeps'
and the dense aud yarIegated foliage glitter.
Ing In the golden sunshine, found inyseH
repeating tue words Of the poet:
How blesi ie he who crowHs IN SHADES like these
Dfe of honor with al age OF ease,
And All his prospects Frightening nj the last,
Hs heaven commences ere the world be past
nv n I