Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1891-02-20
ed and distinguishea ancestry both ON his

| whist d Doy, lOuSnt loI iIcSuoal III liit
war of the Revolution, and afterwards be-
came prominent among the leading Virgin,
| ians Of his day, ending his career by a long
and distinguished term of service as one OF
! the circuit judges of the State. His grand
| father, Alexander Stuart, was an officer in
the Revolutionary war, and both he and his
| son Archibald, the father of the eminent
deceased met the enemies of American lib
ertv at Guilford Court House.
Our distinguished friend was highly ia
vorcd by nature. He was cast in her best
mould. OF a well proportional form, hand
some of feature, and of commanding pres
ence, he was noble specimen OF physical
manhood His intellectual endowments
were of very high order; and his moral
qualities were a fit counterpart of these en-
dOWmentS
These natural advantages were developed
and embelIished at the historic college OF
William and Mary, and afterwards at our
State University, founded by the great JET
ferson, the confidential friend and associate
of Judge Archibald Stuart.
Mr. Stuart commenced his career in otaun-
ton, where he lived all the days of his life,
save only when temporarily absent in the
public service. 1t was to have been eXpec-
ted thata young man of such parts. with such
an ancestry coupled with all the associations
and inspiring influences which such an anceS-
try implies, and with the educational ad-
vantages and associations he enjoyed at Will
liam and Mary and at the University, would
make rapid progress in life. And he was
successful and attracted attention from the
start.
Above all things, Mr.. Stuart was patri-
OF, all ardent lover of his State and country.
He was patriot by Inheritance and his pa
triotism 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 50
nearly allied to patriotism. had great at
fractions for him. But for politics as trade
or business, and for those who engaged in
them for private gain or merely selfish pur
poses he had the utmost contempt.
Indeed he was keenly alive to every enter
prise-and movement whether political, edu-
cational social or moral and whether To-
CAL State OF National which had for its OBJ
ject the promotion OF the public welfare.
This is not the time nor is this the occa-
sion to trace his political career, whether as
a legislator in the councils of Virginia or of
the nation, or as cabinet officer in the
executive department Of the Federal Gov
eminent, or his course in the numerous
other eminent public positions not OF
political character, which he filled. How
ever great the temptation to award him the
highest need of praise for the invaluable
services he rendered his State and people
as a member of the Committee OF Nine and
in other capacities during the period Of Re
construction, it cannot be done now. Suffice
it to say that in every Office and place he
filed, and in every undertaking of a public
character assumed by him, or imposed upon
him by others, his first thought was for the
public good, the last for himself.
Nor can we now speak Of his domestic
and private life, characterized as it was by
the tenderest and most devoted affection
toward those Of his own household and kim
dred, and by consideration, courtesy and
charity towards all with whom he was
brought in contact by social OF business re-
1ationS.
II is of Mr.. Stuart as a. lawyer we would
speak to-day; and even Of him in his profess
sional character, 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 a number
Of years ago. Advanced age and the weight
of physical infirmitieS would not permit
him to endure the severe labor of that high
er class OF professional work in which alone
he would have been willing to engage.
But for nearly OF quite fifty years he was
an active member of this bar, and his name
is indissolubly linked with its history. The
bar of Staunton has in the past enjoyed
high reputation in the State. Chapman
Johnson, John II. ,Peyton, the Baldwins,
father and son, the Sheffeys, uncle and
nephew, Niche, Fultz, Stuart and Others
gave to it their best labors and impaired to
it the lustre of their talents and learning.
They have left us heritage to which we
cannot hope to add, and which it will be
ulIuCull IL l1Ut I'LL pOSSlUlG 1UE us W pl6SCIN6.
. MI. Stuart's learning as lawyer was
broad and comprehensive. He relied more
upon general principles than upon adjudica-
ted cases. For the minor technicalities Of
the law his mind had but little affinity, and
he made no affectation OF special learning
as to them. Such was the scope and charac-
ter of his mind that he sought, when these
were i'll his way, to avoid their
effects by an overwhelming presentation of
his case on its merits rather than by an array
of counter techGicalities.
A sound and discriminating judgment uni
ted with a natural aptitude for business af-
fairs, an equable temperament and a keen
Sagacity made him safe adviser and a pru-
dent counsellor.
AS an advocate he was unsurpassed, if
equalled, by any Of his contemporaries. His
voice was Strong, clear and flexible; his
manner was gracious and courtly his voca-
bulary extensive and at ready command; his
fancy lively; his taste almost perfect.
When in the prime of manhood it was diff
ficult for a jury to resist his eloquence.
1t has been said that it is as difficult to find
a true orator as true poet. What consti-
tutes the true orator can hardly be defined
No one can perhaps ascribe to its right
source the indescribable spell which great
orator casts on his audience.
MI Stuart was a great orator, and pos
sessed of all the gifts which oratory implies
We can say no more.
But MI Stuart'S business in the courts
was by no means confined to common law
cases. He had large chancery practice as
we'll; and in this his great gifts as writer
served him in good stead. All OF us know
that to attain success in chancery practice
it is necessary to write with readiness and
exactness. Mr.. Stuart's gifts and graces as
a writer were scarcely inferior to his gifts
and graces as an orator. His style was easy,
graceful, fluent, fOrceful. His pleadings
and briefs in chancery causes were admira-
III, of n ITl0
In his intercourse with his brethren of the
bar he was ever civil, courteous and mag
unanimous. He was singularly free from in
direct and unworthy practices. Other traits
Of his professional character require
notice; but time does not permit us to dwell
longer on the engaging theme.
After long, useful and honored life he
has gone from lis forever. His presence
whilst he fingered in our midst was bene-
diction. We felt that he connected Us with
the honored past OF our bar. HIS pure ana
spotless life, no less than his lofty and
brilliant achievements, was a suggestion
and inspiration to the younger members OF
our ranks that they 100 might make for
themselves Lives sublime
As the time had come i'll the course OF ma
ture when he must needs take his departure
perhaps we ought not to repine. lie had lived
to great age. His life's work was done. No
one knew this better than himself HekneW
his time had come and he was willing to 60
He had gotten out Of this earthly life
nearly all that there is in it for any man;
and he had given to his day and generation
the best that he had to give, and indeed all
that it is in the power of any man to give
1t was iitt!ng that he should have FALLEN
on Sleep when he did and as he did. Let us
trust that
CATER life's fitful fever he sleeps we'll"
We honor ourselves i'll h0noring his mem
Ory.
May each one Of us, as best he may, en-
deav0r to walk in his ways and be guided
by his example. And above all else let us
do what we can to perpetuate the name and
fame Of the Bar. OF Stanton to which he
added SO much and which he loved SO well.
After tributes Of respect by Capt. james
Bumgardner, il, and MI. Charles Curry
the memorial tribute was adopted, and OF
motion of MI. VIM. Patrick, the meeting
appointed Messrs. Geo. M. Cochran, Il. e
Elder and James Bumgardner, to commu
nicate its action to the family OF Mr.