Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-06
BRISC0E G. BALDWIN
A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE AND PUB
Lie SERVICES.
Virginia Law Register.)

Editors Virginia Law Register:
The subjoined maxims selected nom
a number found among nay grandfatner's
private papers. seem worthy Of praaerya-
ton. and / contribute them 70 your Mis-
cellany." together with a brief sketch Of
their author. in the hope that they ma,
prove interesting to the members OF the
virginia bar
Judge Brlscoe Gerard Baldwin, better
known as General Baldwin OF Augusta
Chaying served in the war of 1870, was ia
mis- life a model Of simplicity, dignity, ana
strength OF character He was on the
SUPREME Bench OF Virginia from Janu-
arv 1872. until his death in May, 80.
, vigorous and rather mpulsive man by
disnosition. he seems from this manuscript
IN have been formulating, from time to
time. A system Of rules 10 make surel iot
himself all the humanities ana amenities
Of judicial and professional copdDc'. 10
individual. probably, has contributed more
10 the reputation of that tribunal Tor
legal learning, mental acumen, ana cor
fectness of judgment.
In various lines of investigation ue-
cisions pronounced by him, Whlch appear
I'm the reports from l2tn Leigh to sth
Grattan. have "blaZed the way, so 70
sneak. and been since regarded as the
bsst expositions Of doctrines Wh!ch nave
led the courts, rot OF virginia only, pul
of ALI the States, Illustrating ana Sullis
new and important questions IN the Jui's-
prudence of this country. OF sucn chardc-
,sr we're his opinions on the doctrines
~ "Fratrd Der Sc" Adversary Posses
sion" Finally Of DEGREES" etc He
u-actlced law Ike a Cicero; except that
he sought no praise. A. councillor ana
advocate he was among the foremost
men of his time. and there were giants
i'm those days. II was before the COM
mercial age had come to roo the pro
fession Of its higher ambitions Like ms
gifted son, John B. Baldwin, VINO died
in 1873. he was a leading type OF MS gene
ration OF Virginia lawyers.
Judge Baldwin was born in the county
Of Frederick. January 1. 1883. His father
was DIR. Cornelius Baldwin, Of Win
chester, a noted surgeon and physician
Of the Revolutionary period. He was
graduated with distinction a; William ana
Mary. and afterwards continued the STUDY
OF law with his brother-in-law, judge
William Daniel, Sr. He married IN III
a daughter Of John Brown, first chan
ceIior OF the stanton District. ana re-
sided at Spring Farm, near that toWh'
The quaint old mansion built by Hessian
prisoners was I'm his day the abode OF
delightful and refined hospitality, OF which
he was the central spirit Always a
systematic worker. IN addition to his I'M
portant practice he conducted for some
years at Stanton. beginning In lSl. a
large and successful law school, attended
by students from many States, his lee
lures covering the whole body Of common
and statute law and equity. While taxing
an active part in public AFFAIRS, ne
found time 10 promote social enjoyment
about him, and TO cultivate his tastes Tor
literature. science. and philosophy lie
was a generous soul. and perhaps beneVo-
leIce was his most charact aristlc feature.
Like his friends and contemporaries at
the stanton Bar. also notable TOT
ability-Danlel Sheffey. Pcyt0n, Chapman
Johnson. and Michele was an Episco-
pal churchman. IL served in the Consu-
tutiOnal Convention OF lS-9-3O, and AT
different times. with much efficiency, in
the Legislature OF his state; but, leader
as he was Of public opinion. he had no
liking for political life. As an orator from
mis- bovhocd to his death be held the
palm for ClOquence. and held II easily IN
Virginia There was an Irresistible cnafm
about him as speaker. As a lawyer
his close friend and legal associate Hon.
\. II. II. Stuart. said Of him; ITO great
gigor Of intellect and scholarly acquire
ments he has united quick and keen per
.eption, a rich and poetic Imagination,
md tender sensibilties, bringing him al
WAYS into close sympathy with the suffer
ing and oppressed. Hence, as an advocate
he was not only a powerful reasoner'
but polished rhetorcan, and ready
and adroit debater. master Of every
weapon useful IN assault or defence. His
sfforts at the bar often displayed a won
lcrful versatility Of talent. While In
structing and convincing MS audience by
his logic he would delight them b.
brilliant sallies of wit. keen repsrtec
oungent sarcasm, scorching denunciat.on
u fraud and injustice, splendid declama-
lion. and melting pathos" To which Mr.
stuart added this testimony: AS citizen,
r ,ighbor. friend husband. father. his
hsracter was without spot or blemlsh."
THOMAS ID. RANSOM.