Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-14

SIDNEY Y. BECKWITH died, in
Washington, N. c., March 3, 1897; aged
80 years and - days.
He was q native Of HYDE county. n
c., and came Of q long line Of ancestors
| noted for native refinement Intelligence.
and culture. He was educated at the
| University OF North Carolina, where, in
addition to his ACADEMIC studies, he also
studied law. He first located I'm Mon
roe. n. c., but after a short while re-
turned to Hyde county because Of his
fathers failing health. On February p.
1883. he married Miss Katie Rennolds, Of
Richmond, Va, and in the beginning Of
1880 his father having died, he moved
TO Washington, N. c., where he gave
himself I'D TO his professional work,
till his health failed, about a year ago
AS a lawyer, few men of his years
had risen so rapidly. or had brighter
prospect OF increasing success than he.
His success was not the result OF sharp
practice or doubtful methods. There
was nothing of the shyster in his make
up. He had high ideal Of the dignity
of his profession, and his conduct was
in keeping with his ideal. If he could
win success by honorable methods, he
did so; IL not, he accepted defeat man.
fully. He was true to his client, but
fair to his opponent. Men who wished
TO be aided in crooked ways soon
learned not to resort TO him. AS this be-
came more and more apparent honest
men more and more sought his counsel.
He had clear, analytical mind, that
eliminated all irrelevant matter from a
question, and grasped its salient points
with great power. He was especially
strong as an advocate. He had the
faculty Of grouping the facts strongly
and presenting them to the court and
jury with great clearness and power
When great interests were involved. his
speech burned with the fire Of emotion
and rang with genuine eloquence. The
last case which he managed In the
courtroom was one that attracted wide
spread interest for three long weeks.
He was then so weak that he could
scarcely more than walk but his men
tai power was not abated. When he
came to present his case to the jury.
ne had TO do so sitting, but for four
hours he presented arguments and
pleaded for his client with a power that
will cause II to be told to another gene
ration. His untimely taking off is
great loss 10 his section and to his
State.
As a citizen, he was eminently public
spirited. and always moved upon a high
plane. No one who took high grounds
ever failed to find a response in him.
and his presence was a plea for right
and rebulIe to wrong In his public
addresses nothing scurrllous ever fell
from his lips. He was always pure. and
scornod the arts and tricks of the demo-
gogue.
Admirable as were his traits as
lawyer and a citizen, those who were
privileged to know saw more beauty
and attractiveness In the domestic and
social side Of his nature. As son,
he was ever mindful of the welfare and
happiness of his parents. And there was
a tactfuness in all his acts born of
refinement and affection, that gave them
all the harmony OF music. His own
home was ideal. His marriage was
happy. He and his wife were one In
purpose, In joy and sorrow. He was
valuable and priced as friend He was
not given TO a profusion OF words, but
he carried with him an atmosphere of
sympathy, Of kindness. of appreciation.
that glided in the joys Of his friends
and made them doubly joyous, that quiet
ly soothed sorrow and stole away the
bitterness Of pain.
Mr.. BeckWith was a sincere Christian.
He professed faith in Christ in early
manhood, and his life was consistent
with his own high conceptions of Chris
tianity. He looked upon Christ not only
as the Saviour Of men, but their exam
pie in all things. He had the courage TO
apply His teachings to the practical
things OF life, though II might bring
upon him the adverse criticism OF the
worldly wise
peace TO his ashes and blessings upon
his. memory
OF his fathers family, his aged
mother and two brothers survive him:
OF his own. his wife and. sunny -na-
tured daughter of seven summers. May
the God OF all comfort comfort and
strengthen them In this, their hour OF
need. u. b. JOHN.
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