The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-10-07

quence was classic. He ranged over
all fields of learning and into all
realms OF Illustration. He was scholarly.
He read, he wrote, he spoke, with pro
digality of will and vima that was maryelou S.
His integrity was above suspicion He
was transparency honest His political
opponents knew this. His mind might be
cratic, but his conscience was concentric
Ills conscience never had a BY play. His
conscience never knew any of the charms
and delights of coquetry and stolen kisses,
and never knew any of their pains or pen
alties. Those who were most intimate
with him bear testimony to these truths
In 1858 he was nominated for the State
senate by reclamation in the Democratic
convention for the Cass County Senatorial
District, and was elected without opposi-
tion. At the ensuing session of the Gen
eral Assembly of Missouri he took his seat
in the Upper House Thus commenced
the parliamentary career of this remarka-
Bile man. Few members of the senate
possessed such qualifications as the young
member from Cass, whether they be tested
by the influence of position or caste, in
the strength and soundness of his judy
ment. his experiences of the varied phases
of national and State politics, or in prompt
itude and decision of character. This
soon became patent to all Missourians.
His speeches in the Senate, and he spoke
upon all questions of general interest and
real Importance, were delivered with ease
and m0desty, in a plain, sensible, and
business-like manner. He used no need
less or polished ornament nor INDUCED in
defamation unless ON political subjects
which stirred men 8 souls. His utterances
were terse and vigorous, with an acuteness
and appropriate tact belonging to an ex-
perlenced debater Invested of all the heat
and virulence so often displayed by many
good speakers in the conflict of a formid-
able debate. Aided by his profound judg-
ment and self-possession, he rarely failed
to gain an advantage over his opponents
in debate.
The power of oratory is wonderful. The
speaker. whether from the platform or the
pulpit, is the only worker who gets his re
ward at once. You may invent what will
enrich nation. and may die beggar.
You may write, but your hair will be gray
before the world is familiar with your
name; you may be a poet and fame may
not own your genius till the turf is green
on your grave. but possess the magic
power with the living voice to reach the
living heart of multitudes, and immedi-
ately you are king among men-not only
among rude, unlettered mass, or inflam
mable youth prone to claptrap, but among
gentlemen and polished scholars,
among men who have long mastered emo
tlon, and to whom most oratOry is as
sounding brass, or as a tinkling cymbal.
The Rev. I. I. Leonard further says
that when the great crisis of 1S60-1S61
came, all eyes were instinctly turned to
Robert Peyton as the person 10 represent
Missouri in the Confederate Senate at
Virginia, " and to this high and
position he was elected by the
which assembled III September,
1861, at Neosho, Newton county, Mis-
souri,. 1t was this body which ratified on
the Slst OF October, 1861, an Arrangement
between the MissG4ri Sas2s mInls-a
sioners and the Commissioners of the Con-
federate Government by which Missouri
Was to becomea member of the Confed
eracy. 1t was provided in this agreement
that the State of Missouri should be adj
mitted into said Confederacy ON an equal
footing with the other States composing
the same, on the fulfillment Of certain con-
dltions, among which was one that the
State should turn over to the said Confed
crate States all public property, naval
stores and munitions of war, of which she
might then be in possession. 1t was signed
on the part of Missouri by Edr. c. Cabell
and Thomas L. Snead, on the part of the
Confederacy by r. M: 7. Hunter, Secre-
tary of State. Robert Peyton IS colleague
in the Confederate Senate was ]. B Clark,
and the members elected to represent the
5 i.tr in the Confederate House of Repre-
sentatives were Thomas A. Harris, Cas- .
per w. Bell. A. H. Conrad, Thomas Free
man, George Vest (now in 1885 Senator
for Missouril, DR.. Hyer, and William NJ.
Cooke. MIR. PeytOn was.' says MI.
Leonard, "a sincere admirer anu disciple
OF the John G.. Calhoun school of politics,
was high toned, with nothing of intrigue
in his character and free from the arts of
the demagOgue. His uutimeiy death in
1858 was deeply mourned by all Missou-
rians.'
1t may be further promised i'll explana-
ton OF his political opinions, that he was
strenuous defender of slavery, and sub
scribed to the doctrines of the sSouth Car
DINA exposition. He also defended the
right of veto which belongs to the Presi-
dent, advocated low tariff OH the gen
eral policy of free trade urged the annexa.
tion OF Texas and a war with Mexico he
opposed entangling alliances with foreign
nations, and favored war with England
on the Oregon question. After the for
nation of the Confederate Government at
Montgomery, Alabama, and the election
February 4, 1861, of Jefferson Davis as
President, he was commissioned colonel
in the army, and co-operated under Gen
eral Sterling Price in the defence of Mis-
souri, and the Southwestern States.
He proceeded to Richmond, Virginia, to
take his seat in the Confederate Congress
which met there July 20, 1851, but he was
so deeply affected by the devastation of
Missouri and the suffering of her people
that he returned to that State, to the neg
lect Of his legislative duties, in order to
take command of his regiment, with which
he participated in many of the battles and
skirmishes between the Federal and Con-
| federate troops, of which there were about
sixty during the autumn and winter of
1861-62 He served in April 1862, and
afterwards in Mississippi i'll defense of
Vicksburg, which 1t will be remembered
Was fortified by the Confederates in 1861,
was attacked by the Federal forces and
| fleet in 1862, and SURRENDERED to General
| Grant III 1868. 1t was during this period
| of exposure and hardships in an unhealthy
region of malaria that he contracted the
disease which terminated his life in 1863