Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-02-15
Death of An Eminent YirgInian.

Ex-Governor Wyndham ROBERTSON died
at his home, "The Meadows, near Abing-
don on the 18th instant, aged eighty-four
years. He was born and reared in Rich
mond, and completed his education at Will
liam and Mary College, and was admitted
to the bar of his native city in 1924. Shortly
after, he made an extended trip through
Europe, but returned prior to 1880, and
was that year made a member of the Coun-
Gil of State, in which position be was re-
tanned by the Legislature for succession
of terms, and as the senior of the Council
in 1885, succeeded Governor Tazewell,
who had been transferred to the United
States Senate. He espoused the doctrines
of the Wing party, and from its first organi-
cation was one of its most distinguished
and honored leaders in the State. After
the expiration of his term in the Office of
Governor, he was chosen by the Wings of
Richmond for the position, and served
several terms in the House of Delegates as
the member from that city. After this, he
removed to Washington county, where he
had large property interests, but often
spent the winters in Richmond. He again
resumed his residence there in 1858.
For the first time after the organization
of parties of that era, the Wings lost the
city in the election of 1857. In selecting
candidates for the memorable contest Of
1859, Governor Robertson was placed by
the Wings at the head of the ticket for the
House of Delegates, which was elected by
a large majority, and he continued to serve
his native city in that capacity till the
close of the war.
From the time that he assumed public
station till few years since, he had been a
large contributor to the press-discussing
leading political questions and other mat
tiers affecting the material welfare of the
people and the State. He leaves the COM
pleted manuscript of defence of Virginia
as to the position maintained by her during
the scenes of war, and in her history before
and afterwards in connection with those
four years.
The Richmond Dispatch thus closes it's
elegant sketch of the life and services of
this eminent citizen -
"Governor Robertson was strong Union
man, and vigorously and actively opposed
the overuures of South Carolina in 1859 for
a southern convention. Even after South
| Carolina and other States had seeded he
opposed Virginia's following their example,
and on January 7, 1861, introduced into the
| House of Delegates the Anti Coercion reso-
luton, of which he was the author. This
resolution denied, in effect, the necessity
for secession, but declared if coercion was
employed by the Federal Government
against the seeded States Virginia would
| fight for the South. The resolution passed,
but Virginia's efforts to secure peace failed.
Then Governor Robertson proved that
above all things he was Virginian. He
did not hesitate. To him the path of duty
was plain. He cast his lot with his State
and remained faithful to the end. Through
all the trying years of the war there was nc
man who did more according to the measure
of his capacity than did Governor Robert
son for the success of the southern cause.
Governor Robertson was a man of keen
observation, of bright mind, and of broad
culture. AS a member of the General AS
sembly he welded great influence, acting
DIS E0 Olu always lIObl COu'lObiOb ehoo Ac
was right. His conscience was the only
, arbiter of his acts. He not only took a
deep interest in politics, bat ever had an
eye to internal improvements that he
thought would advantage Richmond and
g the rest of Virginia. In 1884 at the first
: meeting of the James River and Kanawha
Company he proposed railway connection
between Richmond and the great West il
lieu of the projected canal. The study o.
: Virginia history was with him passion
S and be frequently contributed the results
). of his researches to periodicals. His lates
publication was a little work on Pocahontas
and her descendants. Some time after the
: war Governor Robertson removed to ''The
: Meadows" near Abingdon, where in his
declining years he had the respect venera
ton, and affection of all who knew him.
The news of his death will be received with
profound sorrow throughout the Common
, wealth, for Virginia has lost one of her
truest, gentlest, and most patriotic sons
The memories of his services are golden
sheaf, bound with the leaves of the laurel
J and believed with the tears of the mother
f be loved so WELL"