The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-07
rHE L4rEJ.HANDOLPH TCCREE.
\ Famous Representative of a Vanishing
Gnncrnlinn nf snmLhern .lai.smen.

q
4 Famous Representative of a Vanishing
Generation IF Southern Statesmen.
To the Editor Of the Sun-Sir. The
leuth OF John Randolph Tucker. Of Viz
ciuia. which occurred at Lexington on the
18Th inst. removes from the busy world
one Of the last representatives OF that
rapidly vanishing ana almost extinct
generation which dominated the South
in the days of John e.. Calhoun With
the first quarter of this century tho Viz
gimia dynasty Of jefferson. Madison, and
Monroe ceased TO rule the Union, tie
sccptrc. as John Randolph said in the
virginia Convention OF 1890 passed
R0ckhsh Cap and journeyed westward TO
Tennessee. where for the next decade OF
two 10 was recognized in the truncheon
of Andrew Jackson. I'll the magic name
of ola Hickory vanished under the spell
Of the South Carolina mctaphysician.
Thereafter from the Potomac TO the
RIO Grande. tho doctrines of Calhoun
were well-nigh omnipotent. a strict con-
struction OF tho Consultation was the
cardinal principle the only cry 10 con
jure with az the South.
In 1896 Judge Beverly Tucker. an uncle
OF John Randolph Tucker. wrote tie
Partisan Leader" dating II twenty
years forward. and predicting almost in
the spirit OF prophecy tho war between
the States. which the astute old Judge
came within four or hve years Of fore
casting. with literal fidelity TO the grim
truth OF history. Helpers Impending
Crisis" written Just before the civil war;
and preparing us for the cataclysm, was
we'll enough ia its way, but for provision
the Partisan Leader is unique i'm
American literature and in the age of
witch burners its wonderful fulhlmcnt
twenty-five years after IL was written
undoubtedly would have brought It's au-
thor 90 the stake 10 be burned as an UNI
canny person.
Hy inheritance and education John
Randolph Tucker was Democrat lie
had nothing about him of the Madison OF
latiiudnarlan party. John Taylor. a.
Caroline. and ST. John George Tucker
h.e grandfather. the founder of the gifted
Tucker family in Virginia, and pro-
nOunced by Alexander IL. Stephens one
OF the pr0foundcst statesmen and pub
licists who ever lived on this continent.
We're the tutciary saints of John RAN
dolph fuckers political worship. The
iron logic OF Calhoun captured very net-
uTally the young lawyer trained in such
school. rs 80 captured the intellect of
the South. especially that Of the pulpit
and the universities. Not even his cele-
hratcd uncle. John Randolph. of Roanoke.
was u more ardent disciple Of the State
rights school than John Randolph Tuck
er. lie preached its doctrines in season
and out OF season. fearlcssly before enc
mics with passionate cloquence before
friends. and IN 1870 he wrung from Mr..
stephens of Georgia tho tribute of hay
ing made the greatest anti-tarim speech
heard in Congress since George Nc
Dumc
But II was as a lawyer that his most
enduring triumphs were achieved. JEFF
crs0u Davis. told the writer that he SEE
loctcd Charles O'Couor and John Nan-
doph Tucker as hts counsel. in what
promised 10 be the greatest forensic uat
tle of tine century. his indictment for
treason. which owing 10 the consutd-
toual doubts OF Chief Justice Chase ard
tho maum.mitv Of Horace Greeley.
never came 20 trial. because he regarded
OConor and Tucker as the soundest
constitutional lawyers in the United
States. His speeches and work in the
committee room when Chairman Of the
Judiciary Committee of the House OF
Representatives fully establish Nj
Tucker claim 10 rank with the great
legal lights. Castor. Pinkney Wooster
Binncy and other great lawyers VINO
have adorned Congressional life. As fel
low manager Of the Tlden case with
David Dudley Field, he took no mean
part in the momcntous contest before
the eNtra-constitutional Electoral Com
mission. His wittiCism when the veneer
able George Bancroft fen asleep during
the speech of William NJ. Evarts. counsel
for Hayes History sleeps while fiction
speaks was but one Of the many lively
sallies for which Tucker throughout life
was justly famous His wit wae without
the electrical bolt OF John Randolph. hut
o. fpf rraff "a L.
Hunter humor. which he Inherited
through his maternal blood His cole
hrated INT IN Congress with Mr Blaine
in 1874 or 1878. in which he ENDORSED
Blaine ON a question of public law, when
tho Maine statesman was leading an At
tack upon fuckers record as Attorney
General Of Virginia In regard 10 the in
teicoptinc of incendiary matter n ihc
mails was q favorable example both cf
hts learning as a lawyer and his powers
as a debater. Ia the carte and tierce Of
dieladiation." as 10 is somewhere called.
the laugh. ouip. repartce. and rlOtOls
humOr OF wordy war. none that hcud
Randolph Tucker can ever forget lis
unrivallcd genius and perennial flow OF
animal spirits. lie seemed 10 have stniies
Garfiok and Grimaldi the king of actor
and the prince of pantomimists ana no
man who over attempted 10 :urn the
regret his rashness lie was withql q
lovable man. the idol OF the young q so-
cial magnet everywhere, and at the fes-
tive board ne was the bright particular
star unless. indeed. his brother was
present tho late Beverly Tucker, when
both divided the palm.
The deceased gentleman was professor
OF law al Washington and Lee University.
o. former President OF the American 6ar
Association hOnOred with degrees boy
Northern and Southern universities. and
the most distinguished descendant IN ms
generation of "a thrice famous lineage of
Virginia statesmen. He leaves DcninL
him a halo Of loving remembrance 10
soothe the hearts of his afflicted family
and host OF saddened friends.
J. FAIRFAX MCLAUGHLIN
Nov lesk. Feb. 18th. in New York SUE