Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-24

Der OF the lower house OF the Virginia Legis-
lature from Hanover county. lie wasi In that
body when the mutterings OF host!lities be-
tween the States commenced, aud though
urged by bis Hanover friends for seat ID
the Virginia Convention which passed the
ordinance Of secession his weIlknown Union
sentiments defeated him so far as that county
was concerned. lie was, however, paid the
high compliment OF being returned to the con-
vcntion by the people Of Hcnrico county,
and TO the last moment voted against and
fought against dissolslng YIrginla's relations
with the Union. Indeed, he even went so
far ~ 10 declare that were bis constituents
to man TO instruct him so to do he would
not vote for secession. But when the die
had been cast and Virginia called upon her
J sous 10 rally to her colors, WILLIAMS I.
WIcKHAu was one OF the fret TO obey tue
call. That secession was to him a terrible blow
some can doubt; yet he placed his sword
al the service OF bis mother, and how
well that sword served her is known to all
who know aught OF the four years OF bloody
trial through which the South passed. ITS
story IS carved in letters OF unperishable
lustre amid the annals Of many fearful
struggle. As captain Of the Hanover Troop,
as colonel OF the Fourth Virginia cavalry,
and finally as commander Of the First
brigade Of Virginia cavalry, WIcKHAN would
lead wherever men dared TO follow.
lie was regarded as one o. the most
stubborn and desperate fighters in the
Army Of Northern Virginia, and no
officer possessed more fully the
love, respect, and confidence Of his men.
when IN 1864 be was elected TO the Coniede-
rate Congress bis body bore the marks OF
several honorable wounds, and he put down
4 sword that had not stain upon II. lie
had kept the faith and sealed IL with bis
blood.
After the war General WICEHAN was In adj
vance OF most Of theVirginia leaders In accept
ing the situation, and went to work earnestly
10 bring the State back into the Union. While
the first Virginia Legislature that assembled
after the war was in session he visited
Washington and secured from MORTON a
promise that Virginia would he admitted
into the Union Immediately and without the
Acknowledgement OF the whites If she would
accord the negroes the right OF suffrage
based on an educational and property quail
dcalion. This proposal WAS submitted to
some Of General WIcgHAN's friends in The
- hot IL v rafapfgH Tho
mistake OF General WICEnAM's lie, so far as
it bore upon his political prefermeut. was
his afliation after the war with The
Republican party. That step csiranged
many OF his old political friends for the time
being, and 1t can be truly SAID WAS a source
OF poignant regret to his army comrades and
Others. Had he taken = different course he
could have had any Office in the gilt OF the
people. still. viewing his action in the light
Of his subsequent career, no one doubts his
sincerity, and may not calm judgment say
that some OF bis public utterances might
have resulted from influence that would
have mastered a less intense nature than
his. He was a man Of rare self'conil'
deuce, quick to decide upon line OF action,
and 1t was IN keeping with his
character TO follow that line unswerv-
ngly. by his rugged honesty, his bard,
common sense, his conservatism, and his
public spirit, and owing to the fact that he
showed hat whatever his mistakes might have
been he loved Virginia, be not only recovered
his old friends, but won universal respect.
one OF the strongest proofs OF this is found
in the history OF the legislative campaign OF
1883. When it became a matter OF almost
vital necessity 10 Virginia to carry the Han
over senatorial district against MALONE the
conservative elements Of both parties united
upon General WICEHAN As their standard
bearer. Heaccepted the trust, was elected, and
SO true did he prove 10 his obligations that in
1887 he was again returned to the Senate.
At the time OF his death he was one OF the
most prominent members OF that body, and
though be was still Republican in national
politics his senatorial record not only tusti'
fed public faith In him, but was defiant
challenge to all who dared question his deVO.
ton 10 his native State. Indeed does this
episode in his life mark triumph.
Az farmer and IN the several positions he
had occupied in connection with the Chesa-
peakc and Ohio railway General WIcKHAM
did great deal to develop the material re-
sources Of the State. He was mau OF eX-
ceptional natural ability, and while he could
hardly be called learned was possessed OF
extensive information. lie was generous to
fault, loyal TO his friends, honorable and
chiyalrous, and as tendcr-hearted as woman.
The story OF his life contains much that will
be woven into a never-dying memorial
wreath which Virginia will place on his
grave.