Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-12-05
HENRY K. ELLISON.

4 long procession followed the body OF
Henry X. Ellyson to the cemetery at RlcA-
lnond. Saturday. 1t WAS a just tribute
from his fellow citizens, for no man has
lived there in our recollection that had
better earned their love. He WAS most
remarkable man. Not only i'll his wisdom,
though lie was one Of the wisest counsellors
in public and private affairs that Virginia
had. Not only for a success achieved
uphill in early life, for many men gain
that. But for his life. He seemed to di-
vide his daily work into two parts. one to
be given to his fellow men and one to the
exclusive service Of Christianity. Those
who knew him well, and know how method
icaly his labors were conducted, will under
stand this As a natural result of this, his
whole work was so iilumiEed by tie one
half. that his life became a beautiful Chris
tian example, impressing those around him
before they knew it,
In the public affairs of his city and State
he was rightly regarded by public men as
a well nigh invaluable adviser, and while
he rarely, if.ever, appeared in political con-
ventions, there have been few political
leaders of the Virginia Democrats who
have not sought his opinion on the party
policy to be adopted His demeanor under
all circumstances was calm, and his maste-
~ over men i'll all cases was superb. The
writer will never forget in the struggle for
the Mayoralty during Reconstruction times
the night that the struggle was suddenly
changed from law to bloodshed. The
negroes had shot and killed a policeman
who was trying to clear street of obstruc-
ton. The bloody body had been brought
into the City Hall. The whites were filed
with fury at the murder. An incautious
word OF act from one clothed with authori-
ty would not only have precipitated Il
slaughter Of the negroes. but an attack on
the Federal troops had they interfered.
Mayor Elyson was unmoved 10y the anger
raging around him. He gave the most
thoughtful and tender directions about the
disposal of the body; the most methodical
details about tie public fuHeralt to be given;
all with perfect calm, the effect Of which
was soon felt on the angry crowd Of whites,
many of whom before they could understand
what he was doing, he detailed to preserve
order in the city themselves.
Mr.. Eilyson was an absolutely just man.
No disappointment or wrong could tie npt
him to be unjust to the author OF it. He
had a strong affection for young men, aid
all unfailng federation Of their faults. We
suppose there never was a young man in his
employment who didn t love him, and feel
strengthened to his work by the kindly ap-
proVal he WAS always sure to give where it
had been earned. He was utterly free from
all jealOIsies, and praised these rs h;galy
who were competing in business with him
as he did those Of his own staff. And he
WAS the soul OF honQr-not only the honor
Of the world but that Christian honor Whica
makes Us do unto others as we would have
them to do unto MS. LII that trait OF Chris
tian character he was peculiarly eminent.
lie WAS Il modest man, without any par
ticular taste Tor public life, and yet the dis
charge Of the duties he had accepted -mem-
Der of the legislature, Sheriff and Mayor
showed that it would have been well for his
State and country if he had taken a higher
and wider range. Few men that we ever
knew, had the instructive foresight in po-
litical matters SO highly developed as he
and still fewer understood all classes OF
people, their desires, their ambitions and
their grievances, real Or imaginary, as well
as he. lie WAS equipped with intellect,
with courage, with a broad foresight which
scanned the political horizon of the whole
country ,and with IA justice that always tow
cred higil-for any public place from Mayor
to President.
The word eminent well fits his memory
He was an eminent man--in wisdom, i'll
justice, i'll physical and moral courage, in
his Christian life, in charity, in liberation
in all that makes a broad, virile, practi-
cal, Christian manhood. One of those men
whose life written by familiar hand would
be d priceless text book for old and young