Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1898-08-25
DR.. Whaling's Address at the Funeral
Of Judge Mclaughlin.

DR.. Whaling's Address at the Funeral
Of Judge Mclaughlin.
| The following is the address of Rev
Thornton Whaling, d. D., delivered at
the funeral of the late Judge VIM. Nc
Laughlin, at Lexington, on Saturday
and printed fer the first time in the
Daily SPECTATOR of Tuesday: g
This large cOncourse has gathered
here to pay the last tributo of respect to
the memory OF strong and influential
| man. 1t will doubtless be universally
recognized as fitting that in this solemn
hour and place, some few words should
be spoken in recognition of the striking
personality and useful career of the
late Judge William Mclaughlin. And
at the very forefront, it stands con-
spicuOus in any estimate of this man,
that he was typical ScOtch-Irshman.
In face and features, in form and figure,
in manners and characteristics, he wore
the marks of this sturdy strain to
which he gloried in belonging. He
knew the history of his race in the
three homes in which they had lived,
Scotland, the North of Ireland, and this
fair valley and delighted in following
with minute attention to microscopic
detail the record they had anywhere
made. He reproduced in himself some
of the best traits which have made this
strain masters of the situation in many
spheres and in many lands. For ex-
ample, he was a man of positive and
decided convictions and with the full
courage of those convictions. The man
who does not know what he thinks,
and also is not willing upon occasion to
contend for those opinions, may escape
criticism, but he will die without leav-
ing his mark upon his day and genera
ton. Hereby a man who knew what
he thought and who would do to all
that he could to accomplish what he
thought wise and well and then as be-
come the strain of which he
came, he was absolutely without hypo-
crisy or pretence. To discover his views
was as easy as to see the outlines of
these mountains in the sunshine of the
MONDAY.
Judge McLaughlin's deep love for the
county of his birth deserves mention in
any analysis of his character. AS the
companion of his father, who filled the
useful Office of county surveyor, he
had acquired a wide and accurate ac-
Quaintance with the topography, and
history and people OF Rockbridge and
he availed himself of every opportunity
in late life to increase his acquisition
of this useful knowledge, and we are
within the compass of safety when we
say that no man ever lived in this
county, who was better informed as to
the history of this whole region; the
settlers, their geneology and their des-
cendants, the land ana the people and
their histories; and no man ever lived
here, who liked more all that was pecu-
liar and distinctive in the landscapes
and people that God had placed here.
Nor must mention fail to be made of
his record as Confederate soldier and
officer; his abiding interest in the veter-
an survivors of the Confederate SER
vice; his desire for the just presenta-
tion of the truth as to Confederate
history; all evidenced in many ways
too well known to need statement
here. Doubtless many a Confederate
soldier has reason to remember this
friendly and saving interest, especially
if he could prove his title good to
membership in the batteries of the
Rock bridge Artillery.
Judge Mclaughlin was a public
spirited citizen, deeply concerned as to
state and nation, and rendered valua-
Bile service in counsel and administra-
ton in this wide field. The financial
affairs of his native county are much
to the sagacity, prudence and skill
which he freely gave to her benefit. He
served his native state as d legislator
and member Of its constitutional con-
vention, and as an able and incorrup-
Of 4 rt q
term of more than quarter of a CEN
fury. BY general consent he was emin
emily qualified by knowledge of the
law, by mental gifts, by judicial balance
for this high Office which he SO long
filled, and by some is regarded as tax
ing his place amongst the ablest judges
in the history of our state. 1t is an
achievement for man for series of
twenty eight years to hold the scales of
Justice with SO even hand and with
much evident success as to command
the approval OF the large majority in
and competent witness and it
is a high privilege to be accounted
worthy by ones fellow citizen and by
the Providence of God to discharge, SO
high formation for so long period of
service.
Perhaps the cunning work of this
useful life was his intense devotion to
the service of the University, which
graces our community and section with
the benediction of its presence and
makes us all its debtors by the lofty
spirit it creates around US. Certainly
Washington and Lee had no truer
friend, more earnestly studious for its
success, than this trustee of third of
a century standing and rector for an
eventful decade. His home standing
at the main entrance to its classic
shades is the syncol of the sleepless
vigilance with which he watched all
that came and went as affecting the in.
terests of this beloved and cherished
institution. If he, who, Pounds col
lege. where sweet, pure learning and
high creature are conserved and hand
ed down the line of the generation, is
a benefactor, then lie who fosters such
an institution by enrichiDg administra-
ton and wise guidance is equally en-
titled to the general gratitude and
praise. Among all the elect spirits of
the rich and historic part and the
fruitful present, who had given their
thought and heart and lives, to the
service of this noble institution, per-
haps none would claim that they loved
it more than this dead friend, whom to-
day it mourns. And doubtless the wise
historian of the fortunes and successes
of the favored seat of learning, will de
light to record the hel oful contribution
to it's life and usefulness made by its
late rector friend. He would have
been willing to lay down his life in its
service and his last conscious hours
we're consecratod to concerning meas
ures for it's veal and work. 1t would be
inexcusable upon this occasion to fail
in mentioning Judge Mclaughlin 3 de-
votion to the church of his fathers and
of his race. His acquaintance with
its history was extensive and minute
and not even the Dainstaking his
torian, Foote, had more thorough
knowledge of the history of the Pres.
byterian churches of the Valley than
did he. He was equally well acquaint-
ed with it's doctrines, which command
ed the unhesitating assent of his dis
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