Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-02-18

zE.-,zz
zed and distinguished ancestry both on his
4paternal and maternal side. His father
whilst a boy, fought for freedom in the
swar of the Revolution, and afterwards be-
Scame prominent among the leading Virgin
Z Jams of his day, ending his career by long
Sand distinguished term of service as one of
the circuit judges of the State. His grand,
father, Alexander Stuart, was an officer inl
4 the Revolutionary war, and both he and his
& son Archibald, the father of the eminent
gdeceased. met the enemies of American lib!
Serty at Guilford Court House.
Il Our distinguished friend was highly fa-
Avorcd by nature. He was cast in her best
&mould. OF we'll proportioned form, hand
Asome of feature, and of commanding pres
Aence, he was q noble specimen of PHYSICAL
4manhOOd. His intellectual endOWments
Hwere of very high order; and his moral
qualities were fit counterpart of these en-
3dowments.
q These natural advantages were developed
: and embellished at the historic college of
3William and Mary, and afterwards at our
Estate University, founded by the great JEFF
Sferson, the confidential friend and associate
3of Judge Archibald Stuart.
q Mr.. Stuart commenced his career in Staun-
zton, where he lived all the days of his life,
save only when temporarily absent in the
8public service. 1t was to have been expec-
ated that young man of snch parts, with an
4ancestry coupled with all the associations
8and inspiring influences which such ances-
3try implies, and with the educational adj
svantageS and associations he enjoyed at vii
sliam and Mary and at the University, would
3make rapid progress in life. And he was
Successful and attracted attention from the
Sstart.
4 Above all things, Mr.. Stuart was patri-
Got an ardent lover of his State and country.
! He was a patriot by Inheritance, and his pa
3triotism was intensified by his surroundings
arrfl ,nc rair of fha in xphi hn OF
5out upon his career. Consequently politics,
(which in the better sense of the term, are so
Snearly allied to patriotism. had great at
! tractions for him. But for politics as trade
Z or business, and for those who engaged in
them for private gain or merely selfish pur-
opposes he had the utmost contempt.
Indeed he was keenly alive to every enter
Hprise and movement whether political, edu-
acational social or moral, and whether 10
Zeal, State or National, which had for its OBJ
8ject the promotion of the public welfare.
q This is not the time nor is this the Occa-
lsion to trace his political career, whether as
la legislator in the councils of Virginia or of
Athe nation, or as cabinet officer in the
AeXecutlye department OF the Federal Gov
Sernment, or his course in the numerous
&other eminent public positions not of al
%political character, which he filled. How
Never great the temptation to award him the
4higheSt need of praise for the invaluable
SserviceS he rendered his State and people,
Mas member of the Committee of Nine and
Gin other capacities during the period of Re-
RECONSTRUCTION, it cannot be done now. Suffice
sit to say that in every office and place hel
4filled, and in every undertaking of a public
scharacter assumed by him, or imposed upon
Ehim by others, his first thought was for the
Hpublic good, the last for himself.
8 Nor can we now speak of his domestic
aand private life, characterized as it was by
athe tenderest and most devoted affection|
Htoward those of his own household and kim
sdred, and by consideration, courtesy and
Acharity towards all with whom he was
drought in contact by social OF business re-
llations.
4 1t is of Mr. Stuart as lawyer we would
speak to-day; and even of him in his profess
Ssional character, in which he was in nearer
atouch with us than in any other, our words
Smust be briefer than we could wish, and far
9briefer than his merits would justify.
Z Mr.. Stuart retired from the bar number
aof years ago. Advanced age and the weight
5of physical inirmitieS would not permit
ahim to endure the severe labor of that high
Ger class of professional work in which alone
Che would have been willing to engage.
I But for nearly or quite fifty years he was
Z an active member of this bar, and his name
i is indissolubly linked with its history. The
1 bar of Staunton has in the past enjoyed a
shigh reputation in the State. Chapman
aJohnson, John H. Peyton, the Baldwins,
father and son, the Sheffeys, uncle and
5nephew, Niche, Fultz, Stuart and others
sgave to it their best labors and impaired to
3it the lustre of their talents and learning.
dThey have left us a heritage to which we
scannOt hope to add, and which it viii be
Sdifficult if not impossible for us to preserve.
Mr. Stuart's learning as a lawyer was
broad and comprehensive. He relied more
supon general principles than upon adjudica-
sted cases For the minor technicalities of
1.-THE law his mind had but little affinity, and
Che made no affectatiOn of special learning
10 en- 4, hoe oh op
ster of his mind that he sought, when these
ztechnicalities were in his way, to avoid their
seffects by an overwhelming presentation of
shis case on its merits rather than by an array
sof counter technicalitieS.
] A sound and discriminating Judgment uni
8ted with natural aptitude for business af-
sfairs, an equable temperament and a keen
Esagacity made him safe adviser and pru-
sdent counsellor.
8 As an advocate he was unsurpassed, if
sequalled, by any of his contemporaries. His
svOice was strong, clear and flexible; his
Smanner was gracious and courtly; his voca-
Sbulary extensive and at ready command; his
afancy lively; his taste almost perfect.
When in the prime of manhood it was diff
siicult for a jury to resist his eloquence.
1t has been said that it is as difficult to find'
ia true orator as true poet. What c0nstl- 1
stutes the true orator can hardly be defined. !!
sNo one can perhaps aScribe to its right
ssource the indeseribable spell which a great!
sorator casts ON his audience.
Mr. Stuart was great orator, and pos:
5seSsed of all the gifts which oratory implies.
ave can say no more.
But Mr.. Stuart'S business in the courtSi
sWaS by no means confined to common Iaws
ceases. He had large chancery practice ass
well; and in this his great gifts as writers
zserved him in good stead. All of us knOws
Fit is necessary to write with readiness ands
seXactneSS. Mr.. Stuart'S gifts and graceS ass
Ia writer were scarcely inferior to his giftsE
sand graceS as an orator. His style was easy L
graceful, fluent, forceful. His pleadingsS
sand briefs in chancery causes were admiral
sble specimens of forensic writing.
In his intercourse with his brethren of theS
sbar he was ever civil, courteous and mag-s
unanimous. He was singularly free from in ]
.direct and unworthy practices. Other traitss
3of his professional character required
snotice; but time does not permit us to dwells
slonger On the engaging theme.
After long, useful and honored life hel
HAS gone from us forever. His preSence5
whilst he.lingered in our midst was bene-I
sdiction. We felt that he connected us with
sspotless life, no less than his lofty and;
brilliant achievements, was suggestions
9and inspiration to the younger members OF
zour ranks that they 100 might make 1orE
themselves olives sublime
] AS the time had come in the course OF ma &
perhaps we ought not to repine. He had 1iyedss
Ito great age. His life's work was done. No.
lone knew this better than himself. He knews
ibis time had come and he was willing to go. /
He had gotten out of this earthly lifes
snearly all that there is in it for any man; !
sand he had given to his day and generations
1.-THE best that he had to give, and indeed all 4
sthat it is in the power of any man to give.
1t was fitting that he should have ''fallenE
son sleep" when he did and as he did. Let usE
TRUST that {
"After life's ftful fever he sleeps we'll"
We honor ourselves in honoring his mem {
sOry.
May each one of us, as best he may, emf
sdeavor to walk in his ways and be guideds
Sby his example. And above all else let uss
edo what we can to perpetuate the name andt
flame of the Bar. of Staunton to which hef
sadded so much and which he loved so we'll. !
I THsINTERIoR DEPARTMENT IN MOURNING. !
Following is the correspondence betweeDb
Hon. Henry ST. George Tucker and the Presi>k