Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-05
HON. RALEIGH 7. DANIEL.
Some "reminiscences AbOut This
Great and Good Man.
nor the Disnntchl

tf OF the DlSpattHp
or all the distinguished men who min
gled in the public affairs Of the State
during the 7O's there was no one more
deseryedly conspicuous than Raleigh 4.
Daniel. of Richmond city Mr.. Daniel
woud~have been man of mark in any
assembly anywhere Possessed Of mind
of great natural strength. which had
been literally cultivated and generously
stored with extensive reading. he was
endowed with a quickness and facility
OF thought and expression that were
equalled by few men of his time. Thus
equipped he was always a dreaded an
tagonist and what he did he did quickly
He never wandered by the way nor spent
his time i'm dealing with trivial generali-
ties. lie invariably drove right to the
point, frequently embellishing and
making his argument more incisive and
forceful by an apt poetic, classical, or
historical quotation or reference. The
writer was with him in the House OF
Delegates of Virginia during the ses-
sons Of 1S7l-'72 and 1S72-'73, and while
Mr. Daniel frequently participated in de-
bate. | do not remember ever to have
known him to occupy more than half an
hour. even I'm the discussion of the most
important questions. He was fine law
yer, quick TO discern, and strong and
clear TO present the law of his case one
OF the judges Of our Court OF Appeals
once told me that he heard a distin-
guished member of the Supreme Court
Of the United states remark OF him while
he was the Attorney General of the State
that he was listened TO with more plea
sure than almost any one who came be-
fore that august tribunal His style was
so terse and compact that he would pre-
sent in few words the strong points and
leave to the court TO fill up what he had J
not taken time TO elaborate.
When he entered the House OF Dele .
gates. in 1871, the funding bill had just
been passed and the debt question was
drawn into almost everything. from the
oyster fundums of the East TO the game
laws Of the West.
Mr.. Daniel was an out-and-Out debt
payer. intus ct i'm cute. He found an
overwhelming majority fresh from the
toilng masses, and imbued with a reali-
cation OF the hardshlps and struggles
which so soon after the war they were
who were earnestly DESTROYS
Of adjusting the public debt upon some
plan having reference TO the diminished |
resources OF the people and their ability
% pay. He soon became sensible of the
]
ne was none the less bold TO assert his
iiews. He denounced the majority as
arrogant and presumptuous. because. |
coming fresh from their farms and their
and totally untutored i'm
UGH matters. they should coolly under
axe 10 dispute great questions Of con-
titutional obligation with zone whose
ally walk and conversation were around
he ramparts Of the Constitution" This
Expression was at once seized upon and
rystallized into a proverb oft-re9eated |
mong the members almost every day.
well remember how it impressed my
herished friend and neighbor on the
oor DR.. Minor, OF Henrico, who, some
lines coming I'm late from his home in
he country. would never fail 20 inquire
{ anything sensational had been going ,
N In his absence around the ramparts.
II course, Mr.. Daniel at once aIienated
he majority from him, as however true
What he said may have been. they did
lot like to be told of their deficiency. 1t
Don became obvious that any measure
lie might offer or advocate was, in the
yes of the majority, invested with sus-
icion, and my vgilant friend, Tom
mith. of Nelson, was not slow to see. or
o think he saw, "the cat in the meal
ub." / have known Mr.. Daniels col
eague Major DOoley, who even at that
arly stage Of his career, combined the
igor and forcefulness OF youth with the
agacity and prudence OF age, TO be
realty worried with him that he was so
tterly regardless of policy. From what
as been said it may be justly inferred
hat i'm SUCH body he was not n leader.
lie lacked concessiveness; he would never
urrender an honest conviction that he |
night have company on his way. He
you'd go alone first If the current were
moving his way he was gratitled, and
you'd move along with it: If it were not
e would try TO stem IL IL he knew he
;ould be swept down in the attempt. lie |
fas a stranger TO everything like dupl-
ity; did not know what 1t was. He
corned the arts and Establishments OF
he demagogue and the politician. ~ he
ad been less meritorious he might have
cen more successful. Ii was said OF a
Athenian statesman that
e walked but one path. and that was
he one leading from his dwelling TO the
enate chamber. or Raleigh Il. Daniel |
may be truthfully said that in his de-
otcn 20 the service OF his State he |
lrned aside for nothing. and whatever
Is environments he never failed in his
IGN resolve sacredly TO guard from all
lolestation her ancient glory and re-
own. A. A. GRAY.