Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-02-18
Alex, HI Stuart,
STATESMAN AND PATRIOT.
Venerable in Years,
Admired by his Countrymen,
Has passed Away.

the shabiliments of woe" in honor o.
the memory and character of useful
distinguished and honored citizen,
wise statesman, orator and patriot, who
has passed away. Hon. Alexander
Hugh Holmes Stuart is no more, hav-
ing died peacefully at his residence ii
this city about o'clock P. M. last
Friday, Feb, 18th, at the advanced
age of So years, 10 months, and II
days, with the reward due long and
useful life-deserved honors, esteem.
reverence, land troops of friends. His
death causes a void in this community
that cannot be filled. For more than
half century he had been conspicu-
Gus member of this community, and,
during that time, did more than any
one else to advance its interests. In
all public enterprises he was in the
van. He was the protector of many,
and the able and jealous advocate of
all. In all that concerned the inter-
ests and advancement of the commu-
nifty, he was an optimist with the most
hopeful views, and even in his advanc-
ed age, when bowed with the weight
of years, he still retained his progress
i've spirit, ever seeking and suggest
ing some policy or enterprise that
would be beneficial.
In political questions, as in those Of
m aterial interests, he was always in
the front, and SO clearly did he fore
cast the future, that in many cases he
seemed to be endowed with the gift of
prophecy. He was not only an emf
nentl y useful man, but possessed ma
ny of the qualities of great man.
He was not only man of great intel
lect and broad views which made him
a statesman, but he was, also, an ora
tor in the true sense of the term. He
was man of commanding presence,
six feet four inches in height, with a
more than usually handsome face,
with a dignity of bearing and a cour-
teous manner which commanded res
pect, and won the esteem and good
will of his audience, His manner as
a speaker was very graceful; his voice
was melodious and flexible, and read
ily responded to his emotions his in
tellect was strong, enabling him not
only to understand the most difficult
questions, but to be able to present
them so lucidly and to illustrate them
so clearly as to enable the common
mind to comprehend them readily
thus he was enabled to convince the
judgment and by his eloquence to
move the hearts of his audience.
For his ancestry, early life, educa-
ton, preparation for his profession,
and his career therein, we refer our
readers to the memorial Minute OF
the Staunton Bar" prepared by his
intimate and long-attached friend.
Maj. T. c. Elder, which appears else
where in this issue.
Mr.. sTUART's EARLY POLITICAL CAREER
Mr.. Stuart came upon the public arena
at an eventful era in the history of the
country. What was known as the Ma
tional Republican party had gathered into
its ranks nearly all the leading men wht
participated in the affairs of government
Clay, Calhoun, Jackson, John Quinc,
Adams, Crawford, and Webster, to Ger
tain extent, and the sentiment which the,
represented advocated the doctrines enun
ciated by Jefferson and Madison and sup
ported the administration of Monroe.
During the contest for the Presidency il
1894, which resulted in the election of Nh
Adams by the House of Representatives
the leaders as we'll as the people, becam
divided. The canvass of 1928 brough
about complete separation and almost tn
complete dissolution of the. National Re
publican party, the adbeIents of Jackson
denominating their party organization th
democratic Republican party" The OF
position to his administration during hi
first tenn retained the title-"Nations
Republicans" The contest of 1882 mar
rowed the boundary of thought and actio
in the choice of leadership, which wa
nearly distinctly made up by Jackson o
tie one side and Clay On The other. In tb
issue thus presented the views of Mr.. Ola
were advocated in Virginia and otht
States, his adbel ents retaining their organ
cation az the National Republican party.
1882 waa emphatically a pivotal year
American politics. Mr., Stuart had the
been at the bsr in Augusta, Rockbride
ard adjoining counties four years, and
very active participant in the politics c
the country for so young man. He was
indeed, leader in the fullest sense of tb
term before the Wing party was organized
ard conspicuous in the councils whic
ushered it into existence. The moyemep
here brought cut the most prominent an
talented and influential citizens, beginnin
with two public meetings held in Staunto
Monday, SOFA OF April, 1882. The frs
was a meeting Of the citizens general
friendly to the election of Henry Clay t
the Presidency. Samuel Clarke presided
and Jefferson Kinney was Secretary
Kenton Harper explained the object of tb
meeting, ard with james Crawford
Thomas J. Stuart, John ]. Craig an
Janes III. Laidley, constituted committe
so report business for its action. One G
tie Iesolntiopssadopted was an Invitation
10 men of all ages-the young, the middle
aged, and the old-to participate in it's dc
lieratiora. Another was the appointment
CT a Con, mit!ee to correspond with the sd
yccatee Of Mr. Claws election to the Presj