Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1889-01-24
TR BUTE TO
TIE LITE 10Y. ANDREIY HUNTER.

IL IL T. ~
THE LATE HON. ANDREW HUNTER
The following letter written by the Hon.
d. W. VOORHEES,, though not intended for
publication. we are permitted to give to the
readers ofTHE FREE PRESS. It's a produe-
ton creditable to the heart and mind Of the
distinguished writer and very grateful to the
friend. of our late fellow-citizen;
UNITED STATES SENATE,
Washington, ID. C., Jan. 9TH 80.
Miss FLORENCE HUNTER,
Charlestown, ~. va.
Ihave recently learned ofthe death ofyour
able and distinguished father, and | am un-
willing to let the sad event pass without a
few words from me in tribute to his memory.
10 is now nearly thirty years since | first met
him. in the prime of his manhood and in the
glory ofhis strength. lie appeared for the
State of Virginia IN November, 1882 against
the invaders of her soil and her institutions
under John Brown. was called to the de-
tense of one OF the misguided, visionary, but
generous. brave, and warm hearted followers
0fthat fatal expedition by the ties Of friend
ship which bound me TO his closest kindred.
There for the first time met your father, in
Judge Parker Court The Court itself was
D model ofiudicial decorum, dignity and fair
ness. Ifiustly represented by the pen OF the
historian. 10 u ill pass into history rs the most
temperate and conservative judicial tribunal
ever convened when all the surrounding cir
cumstances are considered. With perfect
calmness. forbcaring patience, and undls-
urbel adherence To- the law, as known and
decided throughout generations, that Court
lriscs upon my memory with increased and
increasing claims 20 the respect and venera-
lion of the American pe0pleand of the world.
Nothing was yielded % outside excitement or
popular frenzy. When John Brown asked
forthe delay of days In which 20 secure coun-
sch more loo sympathy with him than those
who had been assigned % his defense by the
Court. his request was granted with quiet,
judicial dignity. Throughout all this great
historic scene your father was q grand, con-
suItiug c0nCurring, and, to great extent a
guiding spirit lie prosecuted, tits true, the
picket line. as IL were, OF the war that WIS
coming ON between the sections, but he did It
lu the spirit of the Christian gentleman,
without a single tone of maleyOlence or OF
exasperated resentment / recall him, rs he
appeared To- me 40 that time, as one Of the best
types of able humane. eloquent, generous
public men have ever known. | am aware
,hat comparisons are usually Ill timed and
often unara i0us, but with all my knowledge
of Virginia and her illustrious citizens, |
would say, In all good conscience, that your
father impressed me as one of the foremost
have known I'm point of intellectual ability,
both native and acquired aud certainly Sc
c0nd t0 mo- one In Virginia or any other state
I'M the Union in his high and magnanlmouS
bearing I'm the discharge of duty OF the
lark and awful tragedies which followed the
Harpcr's Ferry trials have no wish now TO
speak. nor of the bloody years of war 70
which they were q prelude After the war
was over i met your father IN tins city. i
NAV be pardoncd for saying thatwe met with
0 peculiar warmth of feeling and personal
appreciation of each other, saddened by
what had happened, bUtn0t depressed 10y the
Consciousness OF anything unw0rthlly done.
Quietly and alone, very pleasantly, dealing
all the time I'M reminiscenCe, We spent the
whole day together lie had suffered Sc
yerelv by the war; his house had been burn
cd and his home des0lated by his klnsman,
and vet his temper, In talking ofthese things,
was the sweetest and most charitable l have
ever known. lie not only found no fault,
bad mo- ceusure, but even found excuses and
suggested reasons for conduct which to my
ewes was simply brutal
Such was your father as l knew him and rs
me appeared CO. me. ] saw him few times
aftervard, and he always appeared the same
"a gentleman of commanding intellect
broad and generous sympathy, lofty, chival-
rOus Instincts
have heretofore written nothing relating
Coz my connection with the Harpcrs Ferry
raE. and have rarely allowed myself to be
Interviewed 40 an upon the subject but the
lcath of your splendid father warrants me,
lt Ieas, In my own opinion, i'm dwelling fora
moment upon this wonderful and tragic his
.cric event where FIRST came TO know him.
Please accept my kindest regards, and be-
ieyo me,
With great respect
Very truly yours,
" Nnnpnrre