The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-16
LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF MIR.
fIfIsIs

yIthtE.
or the Hon. John Randolph Tucker IL
may truly be said that being dead lie
vc, spcaketh." lie served his day and
Generation well. and has left behind him
a record full OF useful lessons which the
rising generation may study 10 their
profit.
In the first place. we remark that Mr..
Tucker was man of purpose. In early
life he chose his vocation. mapped out his
,..tcer and bent all of his energies in that
direction.
In the second place he was an earnest
man. lie realized that life was fun OF
responsibilities and that whatever was
worth doing at all was worth doing Well
50 that whatever he undertook he pros
eomod with zeal and energy.
But while he took life seriously he ala
not take a gloomy view OF IT, but was
always bright and cheerful and his pres
once WIS as sunshine wherever he walked.
lie loved humor lie loved TO laugh ana
he loved TO make others laugh lie al
ways looked upon the bright side oil me-
lie was ono Of the few men who could
bee trusted with the power of sarcasm
and invcctive. Or. Holmes has said that
nature was not willing TO trust all ser
penis with fangs, for there were those
who lacked discretion, and would use
their deadly power when occasion did not
warrant. And so it may be said OF men,
1t is not safe to trust them all Win the
mower Of sarcasm and invcctive They are
ant n abuse il. But Mr.. Tucker, while
possessing this gift in an eminent degree
protected it with discretion and Kindness
of heart. lie knew when to strike ana
when he did strike he struck with force
and terror. But he never struck with
venom. and this great power was never
cxerted unless the occasion demahueu
H. He preferred argument and persuH-
sion. and TO appeal TO the nober senti-
ments of mankind.
In the next place. Mr.. Tucker. while
| fully realizing his duty TO his country
| and while willing to give portion OF
his time and talents to the public did not
neglect the social duties of life and par
ticularly the duty to his family. He was
a model husband and father. and al
though the country admired and loved
him. the greatest tribute that can be
paid TO him Is to say that he was most
popular and beloved in his own home.
Nor did he forget his duty TO the church'
but in his busy life found time Tor
church work. and was most useful IN
that sphere. II IS also TO his credit tha'
he devoted many years Of his life to the
instruction Of others, and the influence
which he oxerted over the young men
who sat at his feet cannot be estimated
John Randolph Tucker lives to-day not
only in the heart but In the mind and
character of many a lawyer OF virginia
who learned from him the principles OF
Justice and equity.
And above al. Mr.. Tucker has set
noble example in having stood courage
ouslv and at all times by his convictions
lie was a Statos-rights man at a time
when 10 entertain such views and Il
nroclaim them was regarded by large
element at the North as treason to the
| Government. lie stood for low tarif
and for the cardinal principles of Dem
ocracy which were antagonized by th'
dominant element. In short, Mr.. Tucker
never stopped to inquire whether or no
q given measure was popular. At al
fines and under all circumstances III
stood for principle and maintained th'
right as he understood it, leaving TN
rosults 10 take care Of themselves. II
this respect particularly, his life Is al
,reniration TO those who would initiate
his example. In spite Of the firm stan'
he took on all such questions. he com
mandod the respect and esteem and ever
the good will Of those who differed WIZ
him lie has demonstrated I'm his nobl
life this one great fact, that the ma
who is noble and honest Of purpose ma
combines be misunderstood and even &c
nounced by those VINO disagree with al"
/, lint that in the end principle viii Away
triumph and tho man of principle WI
surely be indicated.