The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-02-12
Hon. A. II. II. Stuart.

Hon. A. H. HI. Stuart, now in his 84th
year, is lying dangerously illat his resi-.
dence on Church street, and may not
recover. He has been in. declining
health for some time, with no chronic
cause, however, either mentally or phys
ically-simply wearing away of the
human machinery-the droppings of the
sands of life-the mind still nornai and
no excruciating pain affecting the boay.
Until recently Mr.. Stuart was occasion
ally seen on our streets in his carriage,
and seemed to take delight in convers-
ing with old friends, and referring to
the business activity that is now stirring
the State, as we'll as the political ques-
tions agitating the country. Upon all
matters affecting the conditions of che
nation or the State, he took deep
interest and spoke intelligently and
wisely as to the true policy to pursue.
Always conservative and thoughtful,
vet progressive in his views. his counsel
was that of "a sage and the information
he impaired almost that of an encyefo-
pedia. Few men now living have been
coteinporaneous with more important
and stirring events. AS member OF
Congress in 1912, at a time when the
storm cloud of abolition appeared rs a
speck in the sky; as member of Fill
nore's Cabinet, after the death of Presi-
dent Taylor in 1S49; a member of the
Constitutional Convention Of Virginia
in 1860, which passed the ordinance of
secession; and as a member OF. the State
Legislature in both branches on several
occasions, intervening between the pc
RODS named, and of the Peabody Edu
cation Board, he has been intimately
associated with the legislation and his
tory of the State and nation for half a
century. The observations and expert
ences which he was thus called upon to
encounter have broadened his naturally
vigorous mind, enriched his store of in
formation, and rounded him into a saga
cious statesman. AS an orator, Mr..
Stuart, in his palmiest days, had no SUI
perior and few equals. AS politician,
in the higher sense of the term, he pos
sessed the gift of prophecy and foretold
events with remarkable accuracy, rea-
soning from cause to effect. Asa public
servant in the councils of the State and
nation, at the bar, in the walks of pri
vate life, he has been a prominent and
distinguished figure for fifty years, and
friends in every portion of the country
will learn with pain and sorrow of his
extreme illness. Especially will there
be unfelgned regret in this community,
where Mr.. Stuart was born and raised,
and where his usefulness has been SO
conspicuously manifested. The State
institutions at this place; the railroad
which passes here east and west, and 9TH
err public enterprises, are living monu-
ments to his sagaciOus management of
public trusts, and his devotion to the
town and State of his nativity, and from
which such great benefits have ennred
to the afflicted of the Commonwealth,
and 10 the material interests of the peo-
pie.
Our people will watch with deep con
Germ the condition of Mr.. Stuart, and
fervently pray that he may safely pass
through his illness and be fully restored
to health, to instruct by his counsel
and inspire by his confidence those who
are now upon the active stage of life.