Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-05-15
DsAtn of senator John 3. Harpour.

"The good gray heed" which all vsr-
gininnb knew ia to-day - cold and mani
mate - II It had been chiselled out Of
marble.
To NJ. BAaRora there came yesterday .
sharp transition from seeming health to
serious illness; from illness to death. and
now he who was Q saeacious leader and
great force in public affairs Ia no more"
His energies are spent and his course run,
and over his bier friends will Aoon be pro-
nouncing culogies. But few days ago his
voice Was heard throughout the Old Do
minion IN letter discussing q matter OF
moment, and now ON everlasting silence
has fallen upon HIM.
II is shock to usall. For the moment at
least hush must fall upon the clang OF
factions, and the proceedings OF the State
Democratic Convention which is to meet
here this week will be tempered by the
presence Of this bereavement.
Mr.. BARBOUR had reached the age OF ~
years. His hold upon the public was not
gained in day or q year, but was the
growth of O lifetime. He was OF distin-
cuishod lineage. ives educated at the Uni
versity OF Virginia. and was trained for the
law and followed it for several years. lnlSi7
he was elected to the House of Delegates.
subsequently for long period he was
railroad president. In 1880 it happened
that the convention for his congressional
district was so equally divided between
certain prominent aspirants for the nomi-
nation that il became essential to the well
fare OF the party to introduce new name.
This was done. JoHy s. BARBOUR was the
man, and he was nominated and elected.
Thus after many years he returned 70
political life. He was known as q calm.
shrewd. far-seeing man. and though, he
had none of the gifts of the orator and no
great degree of personal magnetism ne
made representative who was valuable
to his constituents and who ranked high
in the national House and in the councils
of his party. His judgment was regarded
as excellent and he was looked upon as pc
culiarly gifted in diagnosing difficult point
ical troubles.
In 1879, and again in 1888. the ReadJust-
ers aud Republicans under General MA
HONE overwhelmed the Democratic party
of this State with defeat. The situation
became very distressing. and many feared
that it was hopeless. The people groaneo
nightly under the rule of Mr.. MAHoSE'
but as our party had lost many of its trusty
voters by the separation from 1T OF the
Readiusters il was matter OF serious
doubt if il could enter the contest OF 1888
with any prospect of success. The prayer
of the people was for leader who would
be match for MALONE In energy. boldness.
and ability. Among other names that OF
Mr.. BAIBouR was mention ed for the chair
. manship of the State Committee, and
when the convention met at LynchDurg
he WAS overwhelmed with entreaties to
accept the position.
He was wanted TO reform our shattered
columns: TO transform despair into hope.
and to make victory take the place where
defeat reigned.
The Lynchburg convention accepted
the RrDDLEBERGEs debt bill; held
out a welcoming hand to oil Democratic
Read and got many of them to re-
turn to the party, and, with Mr. BARBOUR
az chairman of the State Committee,
fought that memorable campaign OF 1888.
In that year, as in 1859 (when the people
uprose in their might and voted down the
obnoxious features of the Underwood
Consultation and reorganized the State
government, every Virginian of Demo-
cratic faith put his shoulder to the wheel.
In those days here in Richmond, and IN
many other places. voters ranged them
selves at the polling-places four or five
hours before sunrise in their eagerness to
do their duty. With alternating hope and
fear, amid much excitement. and not
without bloodshed, the campaign was
brought to a close and the Democrats re-
gained possession of both branches of the
General Assembly.
Later on Mr.. BARBOUR was elected to the
United States Senate. With the exception
of one year, when he was in Europe, he re-
NAMED at the head Of the State Commit
tee until 1889, when he retired and was
succeeded by Mr.. GoRDoN, and he by Mr..
ELLISON Mr.. BARBOUR went from the
State Committee to the National Demo-
cratic Committee, where also his ability
and services were highly valued.
Mr.. BARBOUR was tall, straight, and
spare. HIS figure as well as his face was
commanding, while his gold spectacles
(Which near-sig had compelled
him to wear for many years. aud thought
full countenance gave him rather the APP
pearance of q college professor than of O
political leader. While he appeared to lit
tie advantage as public speaker his letters
| and addresses We're marked by vigorous
thought and felicitous expression, and he
| had rare skill in forming correct estimates
| OF men.
| Virginia cannot afford to forget Mr..
| BARBOUR. His services to her were i'm.
postant, his fidelity was beyond question
and he richly deserved everv honor oui
people ever bestowed upon him. Lett b.
remembered, too, that he was steadfast il
bis friendships and strong in his political
faith; that be was pure IN public and pr.
yate lite, and that he died at his post o.
duty.