Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-09
Hon. a. u. II. stuart.

At a meeting of the Executive Commit
tee of the Virginia Historical Society held
June 6, 1891, the following tribute TO Hon.
Alexander II. III. Stuart, deceased. late
president of the society. offered by Presl-
dent William Writ Henry, was adopted:
The Virginia Historical Society mourns
the loss OF ITS nonored president. the Hon.
Alexander Hugh Holmes Stuart, who de-
parted this lite at his home in Stanton on
Friday, 18th of February last. IN the
eighty-fourth year of his age-as OF
honors rs of years. Mr.. Stuart was
born I'd April, 1907. in the town in whic 2
he died. His father, Judge Archibald
Stuart. was one of the ablest men OF his
day He greatly distinguished himself Us
a field officer IN the Revolution, as lawyer,
as a member OF the Virginia Legislature
and of the Convention of 1888, and hnaily
as a member of the General Court.
His son was given every advantage OF
education the State could afford. After a
course at William and Mary College he
entered the law school at the University OF
Virginia, in which he graduated IN 1928.
He at once rose to distinction in his pro-
fession and became one of the leaders OF a
very able bar, which numbered among its
members johnson. O Niche, Baldwin. a
Kinney, Peyton, and a Shedey. But Mr..
Stuart was not alone q good lawyer. lie
soon entered political life and exhibited
those gifts which mark the statesman.
He was among the frst to JON the party
which acknowledged Henry Clay as Its
leader and became so potent IN American
politics. He served in the Legislature OF
his State and IN Congress with great dis
tinction, and was selected by President
Fillmore for deposition ofSecretary OF the
Interior in 1850. The department had been
but lately created. and 1t deyolVed on MIR.
Stuart TO organize 1t.
This he did with an ability which has
given it permanent direction. Associated
IN this Cabinet with some of the greatest
men of the day, Mr.. Stuart did not suner
In comparison, but when at the end OF MS
term he returned to his home he was re-
garded as the foremost man III his State.
He served in the State Senate during the
period Immediately preceding the late
war, and in the convention Of 1861. de was
one OF the last to yield TO the secession
movement, yet one of the truest to bis
State when the step had been taken. Al
the close of the disastrous struggle be was
foremost in restoring peaceful relations
with the Federal Government, and was the
leader in the famous movement known as
the Committee of Nine" Of which be mas
left an admirable history. BY its success
he prevented the disfranchisement OF the
WHITES OF inc Othlo duu ohNtd AZ Al wa 49,
horrors of carpet-bag" rule. =,
As q statesman Mr.. Stuart was eminently
conservative and broad in bis views, and
he possessed in remarkable degree the
power of controlling men. He was OK com,
manding stature, polished manners, ana
extraordinary conversational powers, anu
equally potent with pen and tongue.
In later life be served with distinction as
rector of the University OF Virginia and as
member Of the Peabody Board. For this
last-named body he prepared the very aole
petition 10 Congress which was the begin
ming of the movement for Federal ala 10
public education
In all the Affairs of our society Dir. Stuart
took a deep interest aud rendered most
valuable assistance. While his State and
country deplore his loss as that OF an emil
nent citizen, we feel an additional grief IN
that the cords which boupd him to US as
our presiding officer and friend are parted.
Resolred, That ia common with his coun-
trymen we deeply deplore the loss OF the
Hon. Alexander hugh Holmes Stuart, our
distinguished president. who during life
longer than Is usually allotted 70 man
filed so many offices with honor TO himself
and advantage TO his country. and who
after life of great distinction and useful,
ness descended TO his grave honored and
admired by a grateful country.
Resolsed, That these proceedings be pub
lished in 1HR RIcRMosD DIsPAICfl and Times
and copy be sent to the family OF hr.
Etuart