Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-03-14
$tauntoit Spectator,
WEDNESDAY, MARCH IA, 1883.
Death of MIR. William M. Burwell.

This venerable citizen died at his resi-
dence in Liberty, Bedford county, on the
fourth instant in the eighty-second year Of
his age. Since 1865, he had resided in New
Orleans till few months past, when he
returned in feeble health to the home of
his early and matured manhood, where his
last days would be associated with the first
of the triumphs of his genius and culture,
and where honor and distinction had been
conferred by sterling constituency, OF
whom it can be truthfully said, there were
none more capable of estimating ability,
and none more appreciative of the repre-
sentative trust than were the people OF
Bedford, who, with Mr.. Burwell as chosen
champion, occupied advanced views in
material progress during the memorable
period between 1910 and 1850 when an en-
larged system of State internal improve
ment was inaugurated. 1t was not only in
the Legislature of Virginia and on the
hastings that Mr.. Burwell was conspicuous
in opening the way for development, but as
a writer, and the newspapers and magazines
of that era and sincs abound with essays
from his pen which have occupied and will
continue to occupy high rank when esti-
mating the contributions which have been
made for advancing our progress in the
State and on more enlarged fields through
the South.
DE BOWS REVIEW, the publication of
~ Hhor
c., and continued in New Orleans, was to
the South what HUNTS MAGAZINE, pub
lished in New York, was to the commerce
and industries of that section of our coun-
try. Before the death of its founder, Mr..
Burwell was a leading contributor, and
afterwards assumed its charge, and in its
pages appeared the continually enlarging
and statesman-like productions of his
genius and observations, which were de-
veloped in his writings for the press of
Richmond and Lynchburg. Virginia inter-
ests in connection with the opening ideas
of Interstate commerce had not then re-
ceived the full consideration which shortly
followed, and was more ably discussed,
perhaps, by Mr.. Burwell than any of his
contemporaries who investigated the sub
ject.
Mr.. Burwell represented county which
in the plan of projected improvements was
identified with the broad-gauge railroads
He was the last survivor of four distin
guished leaders of the internal improve
ment party of that central locality Of TIN
south side Of the State, who stood out IL
bold relief leading the progressive ideas o
their own party and in large measure
aiding their associates in combating tn
opposition everywhere. Witcher, Toler
Tunstall and Burwell, representing thre
connecting counties, formed an unparallel
ed array of talent, leadership and success
that is memorable for the impetus it CAV
the State in the onward march of develop
ment in that epoch of its history.
The longitudinal commerce of the coun
try between the Lakes and the Gulf o
Mexico, as it has commenced to contribut
in new measure to the prosperity of tn
Gulf States, was favorite subject o
thought with Mr.. Burwell, and brough
out much able discussion from him in tn
New Orleans press Of late years. He wa
also serving that city and its interests a
the same time as Secretary Of its Chambe
OF Commerce, giving strtSagth and supp
by practical effort to the comprehensiv
views he enunciated.
r., Nd ~, M
fluence. Graduating at the University
his education was classical and his cultur
OF the highest order. In the variety Of Thu
subjects which he investigated and discuss
ed from early life all the way through more
than fifty years of time, was the project O
nter-oceanic communication by way Of thu
American Isthmus. 1t is doubtful whethel
any man living or dead ever gave as mucf
time and bestowed as much investigation
on the general subjects Of that great ques
tion as did Mr.. Burwell. 1t was only ter
days before his death that he addressed t6
the writer of this simple, but sincere tribute
to his memory, a long letter discussing
many different subjects, of which the chic
andseemingly absorbin gone at the time Wal
the Isthmus transit. He touched the ques
ton, as it has occupied attention from thu
time of the Spanish adventurer, Balboa
A. D., 1,511. The state of the work a
Panama the Nicarauguan Company whicl
has commenced operations, and the trans
mitted enterprise of Eads at the Tehauntf
fee route, are all reviewed up to the pres
ent time with the clearness and vigor c
his mind in former days. He laid asid
his pen at that point, saying he was to
feeble to write more, and that was the las
transfer of his reflections to manuscript O
momentous question to which he had de
voted SO much of his learning and abilities
These stirring times are fruitful in man
respects Hope for the future is cherishe
as progressive development dawns and i
lumines realities. AS the present genera
tion falls into line with courage for til
mach where enterprise points the way
they should not forget the noble men of th
past, who, with prophetic confidence, blaze
the way to guide them to riches and 10 grea
prosperity.