Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-03-20
Stauntott Spectator.
WEDNESDAY,, MARCH 20. 1889.
Death of an Eminent Citizen.

The history and the public service OF the
ate Judge John a. Campbell, who died at
his home in Baltimore on the 18th instant
in the 18th year of his age, belongs to the
whole country. He was native of Georgia
and completed his academic studies at
West Point with military education. He
was prepared for the profession of the law
in the Office of Fitzpatrick & Goldthwaite,
of Montgomery, Alabama, the first subse-
quently Governor and U. s. Senator, and
the latter Judge of the Supreme Court Of
that State. At an early age he was mem
Der of the Alabama Legislature, but pre-
ferring the pursuit strictly of his profess
sion, his ability and learning brought to
him a very large practice in the courts of
several States and in the Supreme Court of
the United States.
In political opinion he was State
Rights Democrat, but did not espouse the
extreme views of Mr.. Calhoun on nullifca-
ton and secession.
In 1868, he was nominated by President
Pierce as an Associate Justice of the
Supreme Court, and was unanimously con-
filmed by the Senate. In that distinguished
Office, and before and since, his great
abilities and learning called forth frequent
tributes of admiration from the most pro-
found of his contemporaries. Referring to
case involving the right of the States
which he argued, the late Chief Justice
Waite said-"That is the greatest legal
argument ever heard y and Justice Mil
Ter said ~ concur in that opinion" MIR.
Bancroft. the historian, wrote thus OF
Judge Campbell's opinions 81 know not
whether to admire them most for their
just exposition of the Constitution or their
general ability and high range of honest
and truth-seeking thought"
His best efforts were exercised in en-
deavoring to prevent war and the disrup-
ton of the Union. When that could not
be prevented, he resigned from the court
and returned to the South.
His education at West Point, his great
ability and his industry were we'll known
to General Randolph, the secretary at war,
and he was solicited to take the position OF
= assistant secretary. 1t was while be filed
this position that he was selected along
with Mr.. R. N. T. Hunter and Vice-Presi-
dent Alexander FL. Stephens to go to For"
tresE Monroe or Hampton Roads to confer
with President Lincoln upon basis on
which peace could be recommended to the
opposing sections. He was the last survi-
vor of this well-known peace-conference.
When the evacuation of Richmond was
found to be necessary he determined to re-
main and see what could be done to miti-
gate the severity of the United States Off
GERS and administration to the Southern
people, and to contribute in some measure
to restore a kindly feeling to the van
quished. Shortly after the occupation of
Richmond by the Federal troops he was ar
rested, placed on board government YES
sci, and together with Mr.. Seldom and two
or three others, was sent to Fort Pulaski.
via Savannah, and incarcerated for ten
months.
After his release, he went to New
Orleans and formed an association for the
practice of his profession, but some years
since made his residence in Baltimore,
limiting bis principal professional services
to practice in the Supreme Court.
Judge Campbell was frequent visitor
to this city where he delighted to spend a
eisure time in association with relations
and friends. Mrs. Philip Fl. Trout, Mrs.
H. W. Henry and Mrs. A. G.. Scott are his
nieces at whose pleasant and hospitable
homes, loving hearts and afectionate de-
votion contributed to the happiness of the
venerable iurist and patriot.