Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1898-06-07
SPIRIT OF JEFFERSON.
TUESDAY MoRN1Ne. JUNE =, 1898.
Senator Faulkner'.

| The Washington Times Is giving por'
traits and pen sketches of statesmen o
national Importance. In its issue of May
10Th it says of Senator O. j. Faulkner
Few members of that courtly body, the
Senate of the United States, number a
larger list of friends, and none is more
polished in manner or winning ia address
than the subject of this sketch. who at
tracts men by his suavity and sffability
and binds them to him by the higher
qualities of truth, honor and ability.
Born September 81, 1S47, at Martins
burg, Va, he is the son of gentleman
distinguished in letters, politics and Dip
lomacy, who was in 1859 appointed min
lister to France by President Buchanan,
aud who was accompanied to Europe by
his son, who for time enjoyed the ad-
vantage of the best European schools and
society
Upon the return of Minister Faulkner
to the United States in August, 1861, he
was arrested as Southern sympathizer,
and his son, making his way South, en-
tered the famous Virginia Military Insti-
tute, at Lexington, taking part, when a
boy of fifteen, iu the immortal charge of
the cadets at Newmarket, charge which
thrilled both armies with admiration, and
extorted even from their brave antago-
nists the confession that it was one of the
most notable exhibitions of vaIor and dis
cipline ever recorded in history. After
that stirring episode, books lost their
charm for the young soldier, and he join
ed the staff of General j. @. Breckinridge
as an aide, and being afterward transferr-
ed to the staff of General Henry A. Wise
served with that great Virginian until
the conquered banner was furled forever
upon the heights of ApPomattox.
Returning to his home (no longer in
Virginia, but in the new State of West
Virginia., the young soldier resumed his
interrupted studies under parental direc-
tion, and in October, 1866, entered the
University of Virginia, where he prose-
cuted his studies with such zeal as to en-
able him to graduate with honor in June,
1868, before attaining his majority, des-
pite the time consumed in the pursuit of
arms. Three months later he was admit
ted to the bar, where he speedily took
rank among host of able men who did
honor to the legal profession in his sec
ton, and, rising steadily, he was in 1880
elected judge of the thirteenth judicial
circuit.
Seven years later he stepped, without
undergoing the usual preliminary ap-
prenticeship in the House, to place in
the United States Senate, taking his seat
March 4, 1887, as the successor to Sen.
johnson n. Camden, and so satisfactory
was his discharge of the duties intrusted
to him; SO watchful and jealous his
guardianship of the interests of his con-
stituents and his State; that in 1893 he
was again deputed to represent his com.
monwealth in the United States Senate.
Nor were his services as a Democrat
confined to the representing of his own
State. His prudence, moderation, per-
sonal popularity, and executive ability
marked him for leader in national mat
ters, and after serving as chairman of the
Democratic conventions of West Virginia
in 1888 and 1892, he was in 1894 chosen
for the responsible post of chairman of
the Democratic National Congressional
Committee, and filled the same position
in the brilliant, arduous, and exciting
campaign of 1896, and, as one who was
thrown much in contact with him during
the latter campaign, the writer can speak
advisedly of the labors and services
which filled all who knew him with ad-
mirstion. Fighting against the heaviest
odds, without funds to carry out plans or
procure necessary assistance, compelled
to harmonize host of discordant ele
ments, beset and besieged on all sides (;
never for a moment free from Interrupt
ton; he preserved throughout an unbrO-
ken equanimity; was ever the same affa-
BILE, courteous gentleman, and bravely
conducted to the last the unequal cam
paigu without losing either head or heart.
On his long career in the Senate there
is in this brief sketch no space to speak,
and, moreover, are not his deeds recorded
in the book of the chronicles of the Con-
gressioual Record He does not belong
to the popgun brigade who explode into
oratory upon the slightest concussion,
and is not frequent speaker, but never
fails to rise to the occasion when it's ext
gencies demand an expression of opinion,
and his recent speech upon the Cuban
question is characteristic of the man, as,
while opposed to rushing recklessly OF
needIessly into the cost and carnage Of
another war, he was none the less firmly
bent upon maintaining the honor of the
nation, and upholiing the hands of the
Government.
But while firm in his convictions and
outspoken in his u,terances, he is univer
sally liked and esteemed by his friends
the enemy (politically) His courtesy
disarms, and his moderation and kind
illness conciliate, while his mauliness anc
honor command the respect of his antag
onists, who are never converted into per
sonal enemies by enveoomed epithets o.
personal insult, aud on this account, hii
influence, while quietly exerted, ia far
reaching, and carries more weight thar
that of many noisier politicians, who mis-
take clamor for eloquence, and inveetiv'
for agument.
Born and bred gentleman, Mr.. Faulk