Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-10-10

for the promotion of education, inter-
nal improvements, or anything that
would promote the welfare of his
State and people. 1t was through
his efforts largely that a geological sur
vey of the State was ordered and the
University of Alabama put on a firm
financial basis. In 1856 he was elector
on the Buchanan ticket, and made
canvass which won for him wide re-
putation even in State that boosted Of
q galaxy of orators, Of whom William
L. Yancey was chief. This year he
was elected to Congress, was reelected,
and served until January, 1861, when,
on the secession Of Alabama, he with
drew to follow the fortunes Of his State.
While in Congress he served on the
Committee upon Revolutionary Claims,
the Committee on Expenditures in the
State Department, and the Committee
on Naval Affairs, and was regarded as
one of the most laborious, pains-taking,
best-informed, and most efficient men,
bers Of the House.
He made his first speech in Congress
February %, 1858, in favor Of the ad-
mission Of Kansas under the Lecompton
Constitution, and his reputation as one
of the finest orators of the country was
at once established, and recognized
even by Horace Greeley, who was so
bitterly opposed to his views. He af
forwards made several speeches on cur
rent national questions, and always
held the attention of the House and gal
leries, and got the ear Of the country.
Indeed, in Congress which had in it
some of the very ablest debaters and
most gifted orators which the country
has produced, Mr.. Curry ranked among
the very foremost. We remember to
have heard the late Ex-Governor Letcher.
Of Virginia, who served with him and
knew him Intimately, say that he re-
garded him as one of the very ablest
members of the House, and one of the
rising young men of the country.
His own State of Alabama idolized
him, and there was no honor within
her gift that she was not ready to be-
stow. His high character and I'M
blemished private life, together with his
uniform courtesy in debate and popular
manners in the social circle, won for
him the respect and esteem of even his
bitterest opponents, and there were
most complimentary sketches Of him in
leading Republican papers, such as the
New York Tribune and Harper's
Weekly.
Reared in the States'-rightS school of
politics-an ardent admirer and an en-
thusiastic disciple of John c. Cal.
houn-there could be no question as to
where our young statesman would be
found in the exciting controversies
which agitated Congress and shook the
country in 81, '5s, $50, go, or where he
would 60 when the State of Alabama
seeded and claimed his allegiance.
lie promptly withdrew from the Con-
gress at Washington, and was elected
deputy to the Confederate Congress
at Montgomery, and afterwards to the
Congress at Richmond.
He was unquestionably one Of the
leaders Of the Confederate Congress.
His services as chairman Of the Com
mittee on Commerce and for a time
Speaker pro TEN. of the House were
highly appreciated, while he ranked
among the most gifted orators Of the
body. In 1854 he left Congress, served
for time on the staff Of General j. Z.
Johnston, and became lieutenant-colo-
mel of cavalry regiment, which he
commanded up to the surrender with
gallantry and skill which showed that
he might have won high distinction as
soldier had he served for longer Pc
Rod in the army.
Before entering public life DR.. Curry
had been baptized by Rev. j. j. d.
Renfroe into the fellowship Of country
Baptist church in Talladegs county,
Ala, and had always maintained his
Christian character, and been active in
church work even amid his most
pressing public duties. He organ
lied at Washington congressional
prayer-meeting, of which he was
the leading spirit, and at Richmond he
was always ready to conduct prayer
meeting or make Sunday-school or
Bible-society speech. Soon after CON-
ing to Richmond he became member
Of the Bible class at the First Baptist
church, taught by old Mr.. Franklin,
then head miller at uaxall's Mills, and