Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-02
THURSDAY. MARCH 2, ] 500.
ruIIIr WATKINS M'KINNEY.

PHILIP WATKINS M'iNINNEY.
In the long list Of Virgnia's Cover
rors tho name of Philip Watkins Nc
Kinney who passed away at his home
in Farmvile. last night. VIII stand
forth conspicu0usly as representing
one Of the most notable and inn
iortant administrations the Common
wealth has ever had That while
Il lasted. Governor McKmneys ado
ministration was popular one. as that
term is moro generally understood the
most ardent admirers Of the good gray
head. now forever laid low, viii not
claim. But. ON the other hand all
candid men. no matter how much Cover
nor Mckinney may have antagonized
their views uo matter how much they
may have differed with his politics
must admit that it was busincss-like
administration. that 1t was honest that
81 was pure. and that it has been grow
ing ever since ne retired from its re-
sponsibiIities.
As n citizen Philip McKinncys high
ct ambition was TO be Governor of
Virginia He considered that honor the
greatest TO which any man could At
tain. and having attained it, he regard
"a 1t and treated it as q sacred trust
To the faithful discharge Of that trust
ne bent his whole heart ana mind. do
ing his duty as he saw it. without fear
or fayoritsm heWins TO the line of
what his conscience dictated, and
taking tho consequences unhinchingly.
lie was no politician. lie could say no;
ana when he said it. he meant g. Never
man sat in the executive chair who
more constantly sought the truth that
he might do right. No man ever held
the helm of the ship OF State with
firmer grasp No man was ever holder
in steering that ship i'm the face Of adj
verse sentiment, so long as beyond and
through such sentiment could be dis
cerned his guiding star which was the
good Of the Commonwealth
These were tho characteristics Of Gov
ernor Mckinney that I'm greatest part
detracted from the popularity Of his
administration. but from which that adj
ministration must continue TO take on
new lustre as time passes Had his con-
ception Of his duty to his high office
and 10 the people been less rigid. had
no been less adamantine i'm his hrmness.
had ne been more rcgardful for and
solicitous of his own political future,
some Of the most important measures
for the benefit of Virginia that have
been set on foot since the war would.
perhaps never have been consummated.
Elsewhere, we give a summary of some
OF the leading events of his regime.
which bears out the judgment that his
tory will place him I'm the front rank of
Virgnia's chief executives.
Governor Mckinney WAS q Nirginian
of Virginians. His devotion 10 his state
her traditions. and her interests par
took OF all the intensity of a possessing
passion He worshippcd at the shrine
Of her good name and her dignity.
She was truly his mother whom
he loved and revercnccd with the
deepest tenderness. and his sovereign.
This he illustrated I'm her legislative halls.
on the bloody front of battle, on the hust-
ings In his private walk and conversation
and in the most exalted position she could
bestow. lie could recognize for her no Sc
cond place. Full well those who were in
his counsels knew that anything ne con
ceived to be a slight TO her. or an inter
1ercuc< .ith her prcroga,ivos. would set
his blood on fire.
Firm almost 90 obstinacy as was Gov
ernor Mckinney when duty called. he
was also difident to fault lie shrank
instinctively from crowds, from no.
torie,y from display. and from gene
raj company But TO be his intimate
10 know his views OF mans duty TO his
fellow-man, society, and family; to have
his confidence. 10 understand the con-
scientiousness with which ne adj
dressed himself 10 every question that
came before him, TO be in position to
APPRECIATE the tenderness and the
sweetness OF his nature. was a privilege.
10 his friends he was loyal 10 the
hearts core. and IN private lhe as in
public life. he was as frank as child.
Absolutely sincere himself. he brooked no
compromise with insincerity IN others in
any manner, shape. or form.
Governor Mckinney passes 20 the
grave. leaving an honorable ana honored
3nbNc ana private name. Virginia is
richer IN memories for his having been
h.r chef magistrate. The page in her
annals whoreon are recorded the events
OF his term may show mistakes; but
II Is without blot Of his making. ana
VIII grow brighter with tho heht OF
years TO IL Virginia may ever turn
with pride On ito border she will en-