The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-02-19
THE MEMORIAL TRIBUTE.

THE MEMORIAL TRIBUTE.
A great man has departed from our midst
Alexander Hugh Holmes Stuart is 10 more. At
his residence i'll Staunton, and in the same house
i'll which he was born, in the eighty fourth year
of his age, on Friday, the thirteenth day OF FEB
ruary in this year of our Lord enc Thousand
eight hundred and ninety and at about tie
hour of one O'Clock Z. NJ, he calmly and peace
fully expired. The end was so gradual and so
knew the exact moment when his spirit depart
ed from the form it had animated for SD many
long and eveutful years.
MIR. Stuart was descended from an honored
and distinguished ancestry both on his paternal
and maternal side. His father, whilst a bow
fought for freedom in the war OF the Revolution,
and afterwards became prominent among the
leading Virginians of his day, ending his career
by long and distinguished term Of service as
one OF the circuit Judges of the State His grand
father, Alexander Stuart, was officer in the
Revolutionary war, and both he and his son
Archibald. the father of the eminent deceased,
met the enemies OF American liberty at Guilford
Court House,
Our distinguished friend was highly favored
by nature. He was cast in her best mould. Of a
well prOportiOned form, handsome of feature,
and of commanding presence, he was a noble
specimen OF physical manhood; His intellectual
endOWnments were Of g very high ORDER and
his moral qualities were fit counterpart of
these endownmentS.
These natural advantages were developed and
embelliShed at the historic college of William
and Mary, and afterwards at our State Univer
sity, founded by the great jefferson. the conf
dental friend and associate of Judge Archibald
Stuart
Mir stuart commenced his career in Staunton,
where he lived all the days Of his life, save only
when temporarily absent in the public service.
1t was to have been expected that young man
of such parts with such an ancestry coupled with
all the association and inspiring influences Which
such all ancestry implies and with the education
al advantages and associations he enjoyed at
William and Mary and at the University, would
make rapid progress in life. And he was sue
cessful and attracted attention from the start
Above all things, Nh. Stuart was patriot. All
ardent lover of his State and country. He was
patriot by inheritance, and his patriotism was
intensified by his surroundings and by the spirit
of the age in which he set out upon his career.
Consequently politics, which in the better sense
of the term, are so nearly allied to patriotism,
had great attractions for him. But for politics
as trade OF business, and for those who engag
ed in them for private gain merely selfish pur-
poses, he had the utmost contempt.
ana movement Whether poiiticas e,incstipn i1I
social or moral, and whether local, State OF Ma
tional, which had for its object the promotion of
the public welfare.
This is not the time nor is this the occasion to
trace his political career, whether as legislator
in the councils of Virginia or of the nation or as
cabinet officer in the executive department of
the Federal Government, or his course in the
numerous other eminent public positions not of
political character, which he filed. However
great the temptation to award him the highest
need of praise for the Invaluable services he
the Committee of Nine and in other capacities
during the period of Reconstruction, it cannot
be done now. Sufce it to say that i'll every I'M
dertaking of public character assumed by him.
OF imposed upon him by others, his first thought
was ior the public good, the last for himself.
Nor canwe now speak of his domestic and
private life, characterized as tt was by the tell
derest and most devoted affection toward those
Of his own household and kindred, and by con
sideratOn, courtesy and charity towards all with
whom he was brought in contact by social or
business relations.
1t Is OF MIR. Stuart as lawyer we would speak
to-day; and even of him in his professional char
acter. in which he was in nearer touch with us
than in any other, our words must be briefer
than we could wish, and far briefer than his
merits would Justify.
Mr.. Stuart retired from the bar number OF
years ago. Advanced age and the weight OF ply
steal inirmities would not permit him to endure
the severe labor Of that higher class of profes
snnal work in which alone he would have been
willing to engage
But Tor nearly or quite fifty years he was All
active member Of this bar, and his name is in.
Staunton has in the past enjoyed high reputa
ton in the State. Chapman johnson, John II.
Peyton, the Baldwins, father and son, the Shef-
feys, uncle and nephew, Niche, Fultz, Stuart
and others gave to it their best labors and inn
parted to it the lnstre of their talents and learn
Ing. they have left us heritage to WHICH we
cannot hope to add, and which it will be difficult
II not impossible for US to preserve.
MIR. Stuart's learning as lawyer was broad
and comprehensive. He relied more upon gen
eral principles than upon adjudicated cases.
For the minor technicalities OF the law his mind
had but little affinity, and he made no afecta-
tlon OF special learning as to them. Such was
the scope and character of his mind that he
sought, when these technicalities were in his
way, 30 avoid their effects by an Overwhelming
present tion of his case on its merits rather
tnan ny III array of counter technicaitieS
A sou I'd and discriminating Judgment united
with ii natural aptitude tor business affairs, an
equ Die temperament and keen Sagacity made
him safe adviser and prudent counsellor.
= AS az advocate he was unsurpassed if equalled,
by any OF his contemporaries, His voice was
strong. clear and flexible; his manner was gf;.c-
iouS and courtly; his vocabulary extensive and
at ready command; his fancy lively; Ills taste
almost perfect.
When in the prime of manhood it was difficult
for jury to resist his eloquence
1t has been said that it is as difficult to ma
true orator as a true poet. What constitutes the
true orator can hardly be defined. No one can
perhaps ascribe to its right source the 1ndesef!-
bable spell which a great orator casts on MS
audience
Mr.. Stuart was a great orator, and possessed
say no more.
But Mr.. Stuart's business in the courts was py
no means confined to common law eases. lie
mad large chanoery practice as well; ana y,
tns ms great gifts as writer served MN III 9oou
stead. AL of us know that to attain success IN
chancefy practice it is necessary to wfice Win
READINESS and exactneSs. Mr.. STUART S SHts anu
graces as writer were scarcely inferior TO ms
SlICs ana graces as an orator HIS sgyle W.. was
easy. graceful, fluent, forceful. His pleadlnSs
ana DflerS III chancefy causes were adHliftoie
specimens of forensic writing.
In his intercourse with his brethren OF bie par
ne was ever civil, courteous and magnanlnous.
He was singularly free from Indirect and I'M
worthy practices. Other traits of his profes-
sional character require notice; but time does
not permit us to dwell longer ON the engaging
theme.