The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-07-25
Edwards B. Murray.
BY COL. JAS. L. OAR.
Baptist Courier.

| ue GTaRlC duU ullGlluSiy uCaGA Va
Mai. Edwards B. Murray has not only
caused sorrow to thousands of hearts,
but sense of personal loss.
He Inherited from both parents in
telligence; character, and refinement,
and as boy early gave promise Of
the power he afterwards developed.
At school he was quick, diligent and
earnest, ever ready with his tasks,
docile and ambitious. In college,
both at Furman University and the
University of Virginia, he took lead,
ing part both in his studies and liter,
ary societies.
He was thoroughly prepared for the
bar before he attained his majority,
and a special act of the Legislature
was passed allowing him to stand his
examination and practice law. He
Immediately entered into the field of
journalism, along with the law, and
| the files of the anderson Conservator,
and afterwards the 1NTELLIGENcER,
prove his versatility, power and indie
pendence. By force Of intellect, by
conscientious work, by frank criti-
cism, he soon became power in bis
County. He never cringed to popular
vagaries or sought to echo public opin,
ion, but conceiving it the duty Of the
press to lead the people rather than
cater to their passing fancies, he ad-
| vocated what he conceived the right
utterly regardless Of popular fancy.
While his style was graceful, his
English pure and his sentences well
rounded, the striking feature Of mis-
editorial writing was force, power,
earnestness. Notwithstanding the
time given to newspaper work, both in
the editorial and business depart
ments, he carried on his profession Of
the law, and gradually rose step by
step until he occupied the leading po-
sition, not only in his own County,
but in the upper part Of the State.
AS a lawyer he was energetic, quick,
aggressive and logical. He @as not a
case lawyer that required 9, decision OF
precedent for every thought or act OF
his professional career, but he was
original, fertile in resources, and
based his judgment rather on the
broad principles of the law than upon
| musty decisions or medieval prece.
dents. He was thorough earnest, and
| fought to win, throwing his whole
soul aud strength in the issue, and
thus gaining the devotion and conf.
dence of his clients and the dread OF
his opponents.
Though his career was brilliant in
journalism and law, he achieved
greater success in politics and render.
ed more service to his County and
State in this field than any other. He
| served in the House Of Representa-.
tives six years, and in the Senate four,
from Anderson County, and left his
impress upon the laws of the State
more deeply than any representative
that South Carolina has had since the
war. He vas an ideal legislator
quick, active, attentive, reso!ute, con.
servative and judicious. No bill
could pass his body without his
knowledge, not only Of its contents
but probable effect, and # he did moi
approve it he fought it, no matter
what support it had. Time will moi
permit even cursory examination Of
the many acts he originated and help
ed through the stormy debates, but
his public road law should be espe.
cially mentioned, for that one should
entitle him to the gratitude of the
| people, and if it were enforced every
public road in this State would be 9
monument to the legislative ability Of
Maj. Murray. He was a fine organ
izer, an untiring worker, a forcible
and eloquent speaker, and as fearless
| in the declaration of his political be.
liefs as man could be. He never oc
| cupied an equivocal position on any
question of public moment, and hii
opinion was freely and frankly given
without the slightest consideration al
to how it would be received.
He will be especially missed by the
citizens of the town and County o.
Anderson, for he was progressive
public spirited, active and devoted tt
his people. He freely gave his time,
| advice, means and active support to al
enterprises which promised improve
ment to his community. As busi
ness man Maj. Murray was successful
and though he did not leave great
wealth he left his family comfortable
He worked too much for others tt
amass wealth, and though he made
money he did not worship it, but was
liberal almost to fault.
He was for years a member of tht
Baptist Church and carried his reli
gion into his daily life; he did mo-
proclaim it from the .house-top, o.
quarrel with his neighbors because
they did not agree with him, but work
ed for his Church and it's institutions
with zeal as untiring as it was earn
est.
The most beautiful trait, however
in Mai. Murray's character was hi
fidelity to Lis friends and devotion tt
his family. To his friends he wal
frank, generous and sincere, and nj
man who ever hard claim on him wa
turned away unrequited; He tiet
men to him with hooks Of steel, ane
probably enjoyed the ardent friend
shin of more men than any man II
South Carolina. To his family he wa
most afectionate. No personal sacri
fee was too great for him to make to-
their happiness, no exertion too much
for their pleasure dutiful son and
loving husband, devoted father. Il
Church and State, in politics and rell
gion, in business and family affairs
he filled the full measure Of duty;
gentleman, scholar, patriot and
Christian.
The above is written from facts &C
quired by an intimate association
with Maj. Murray at school and col
lege, in politics and at the bar, for
period of thirty years-a tribute to MI
worth, an incentive to others.
In Gray County, Kansas, there
is a school district that contains only
n ~ L