Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1901-03-07
WILLIAM MAXWELL EvARTS.
Philadelphia Press.

Philadelphia Press.
The death of William M Evarts dimin'
ished by one that very small company OF
men who enjoyed a national reputation
before the Civil War. As the special rep
resentative and champion OF William H.
Seward in the Republican National Con-
vention of 1860 Mr.. Evarts played con-
spicuous part in that notable gathering ana
awakened an interest in bic own personal
ity which survived the vicissitudes and ap-
parent vacillation of his subsequent career
Before 1860 MIR. Evsrts reputation was
that of great New York lawyer and one
of the efficient lieutenants OF Mr.. Seward
but when year later the Legislature OF
New York chose Ira Harris instead OF MIR.
Eyarts to succeed Mr. Seward in the SEN
ate when the latter entered President LIN
coins Cabinet it was felt all over the
United States that New York State had
not done itself justice in this instance ana
that the fittest had not survived when Ira
Harris WAS put in Stewards seat instead OF
William M. Evarts, then in the prime and
perfection of his intellectual powers.
MIR. Evarts had, however, great career
still before him. For many years he shared
with the late Charles O'Conner the undis-
puted leadership of the New York bar.
Andrew johnson was well advised when
ne chose MIR. Evarts to defend him when
mpeached at the bar of the United States
Senate, and that eloquent advocate ls the
only one who was able to add to his repu-
tation in that great strife of party passion
It speaks volumes for Mr.. Evarts' peculiar
sscendency that he was able to act as An
drew Johnsons counsel and sfterward his
Attorney General without losing the re-
spect and confidence of President john
sons political enemies. President Grant
hsd need of Mr.. Evsrts' great legal ability,
and sent him as one of the counsel OF the
United States to argue the Alabama claims
before the Geneva tribunal. When the
result of the Presidential election Of 1876
was in dispute Andrew Johnson's Attorney
vas made the advocate of the Republican
party before the Electoral Commission
As Secretary of State under President
| HAYES he we'll maintained the dignity and
prestige Of that position, which since the
foundation of the Government has been
filled with rare exceptions by one OF the
most prominent members of the party IN
power. His Inauguration Of a system OF
consular reports, which has given new
value to our consular system, is likely to
remain as a permanent monument to MI
Evarts' term of service at the head OF the
Department of State.
dis single term in the Senate, which
came TO him as he Was approaching three
score and ten and had begun to feel the
infrmities Of age, was fitting recognition
of bis public service and intellectual EN-
inence. but it added nothing to his fame
| 1t came too late for that. He should have
succeeded Seward, in 1861. What kind OF
reputation he would have made in COM
petition with the aggressive spirits which
ruled the Senate during the Civil War is
perhaps idle to conjecture. His temper
ament would have induced him to side
more often with Fessenden and Trumbull
than with Sumner, Wade and Chandler,
though probably like John Sherman, he
could have Accommodated himself to both
elements in the party. He was not lead
er of men. His early life was under the
influence first of Webster and then Of
Seward. After his defeat for the Senate,
in 1861, be sought no political hOnors.
They came unsolicited, because Others
saw the need and value Of bis services.
Mr.. Evart, was supremely geat as an
advocate. His defense of Henry Ward
Beecher was alone enough to make last
ing reputation for any man. AS a public
speaker be was always in demand OH
great occasions, and though in late life
lis formal addresses we're somewhat pom
derous and showed preference for very
long sentences, his less serious speeches
were always very charming, Astounding in
wit and humor OF a more subtitle flavor
than any of his contemporaries could COM
mand. He has fallen out Of the public
mind since his retirement from the Senate
just ten years ago. The announcement of
his death, therefore, will only be remind
er that one more of the men Of the last
generation who have helped to make his
tory and who win live in history has pass
ed from this scene forever.