The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-11-22
SKETCH OF JOHN FORSYTH.
This Interesting Character Was Born
In Fredericksburs- Filled. MANY
High Places and Always
With Credit


MIR. John F. Coyle contributes to n re-
cent issue OF the Washington Post very
interesting sketch Of John Forsyth. from
which we make the following extract:
The instability Of fame was never more
painfully exhibited than in the case ofthe
utter iorgeti lness OF the present age of
the Hon. John Forsyth. The writer was
just entering life in Washington when Mr.
Forsyth, then holding a very exalted posi-
tlOn, was one of the magnets in the social
circles. His residence. ther on PennsyL
vania avenue, near Twenty y-fourth street
now Obliterated. was the scene of many
events Oi social hospitality.
John Forsyth was born in Fredericks-
burg. Va onOetober %. 17SO. Hegrad-
uated in Prineetonin 1899 and was a,l.
mitted TO the bar at Augusta. Ga. in
lSO2, his family having removed from
Virginia during his boyhood lie vas
attorney general OF Georgia in lSOS: a
member of the House of Representatives
IRON lSl3to 1918; afterward in the Uni
ted State Senate, from " hich he resigned
upon being appointed Minister to Spain
ani while there conducted the uegotia
tions which resulted In the cession OF
Florida to the United States After act
ing as governor of Georgia during his
term OF service. he returned TO the United
states Senate in place of Hon J Mcpher-
son Berrien.
/ Mr. Forsyth opposed notification. and
voted for Henry Clays compromise act
OF 1898. He supported Gen. Jackson in
the debate regarding the removal of the
deposits OF the United States Bank. lie
was a delegate TO the anti-tariff conven-
ton, held At Alilledgeville in 1882. bat
withdrew on the ground that he did not
lairly represent the people of Georgia
lie resigned from the United States Sen
ate on the 29th Of June. 1884. to become
Secretary OF State under President Jack.
son. ana remained in that Office under
Mr.. Van Buren, but resigned in conse.
qnence OF some disagreement with his
colleagues. Mr.. Van Buren refused 10
receive his resignation and induced him
To withdraw il.
Col. Benton, in his Thirty Years in
the Senate" said of Mr.. Forsyth: Like
Mr.. William II. Crawford, he was a Viz
glnlan by birth, a Georgian by citizen
ship,a Republican Ia politics, and eminent
in his day. He ran the career of Federal
hOnOrs. a Member OF the House of Repre-
sentatives and United States Senate. ard
n iirst-rank debater in each; was Minis
ter TO Spain, and Secretary of State un-
der Jackson and Van Buren,; successor
to Crawford in his State and Federal
councils, and IA fast political and perso-
nal friend Of that eminent citizen in all
the trials and fortunes Of his life.
"A Member OF the House when Mr..
Crawford, restrained by his Office and
disabled 10y his calamity, and unable to
DO any thing Tor himself, assailed by the
persOnihcatiOn of the eXecrable A. b plot.
It devolved upon him TO stand up for his
friend, and nobly did he do il. The exam
ination through which he led the accuser
exterminated him in public opinion
showed every accusation to be false and
malicious (the charge and implication
was against Mr.. Crawford's conduct of
the Treasury Department.. The charge
was promptly refuted, and a committee. /
OF which Mr.. Webster aud John Randolph 4
were members, unanimously declared 4
them to be unfounded.) Mr. Forsyth de- /
tected what lay behind the ostensible as
sailaut OF Mr.. Crawford. and justly exalt-
ed the character of that gentleman.
MIR Forsyth was a fine specimen of
that kind of speaking which constitutes
a debater, and which, in fact, is the ef-
fective speaking in legislative assemblies.
lie combined the requisites for keen de-
bate-ready repartee and easy eloquence
combined with ample knowledge OF the
subject, argument, and wit; great power
to point the sarcasm, to sting courteous /
ly; perfect selt-posession, and a quiekness 1
and clearness OF perception to take ad- /
vantage of every misstep of his adyer- 1
saries
He served in trying times during the
great contest with the bank of the United 1
States, with the heresy of notification. /
and the dawning commencement of the 4
slavery agitation. In social life he was a /
high exemplihcation of refined and cour- /
teous manners and ofpolite econversation /
and of affability, decorum, and dignity f" |
The following is from the National, In 1
telligencer of October 23, 1871:
DEATH OF MR. EORsyrH