Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-16
JUDAH P. BENJAMIN.
REMARKABLE CAREER of THE
DISTINGUISHED coNFEDER-
ATE CABINET MEMBER.
HIS PICTURE FOR LEE CAMP.
Some of the scene. in Which H.
Took n Leading Fart
7>cE Al ODDS WITH MR.. DAVIS.
nucI ws. Imminent as the Result of
senate Debate Before the War
service. to the Lost Cnusc--Sub-
,couenus Nr. BENJAMIN Went to
England. Where He Forscd.to tho
Front md Died n q. c.
some of the scenes in Which H.
Took Leading Fart
7>cE Al ODDS WITH MR.. DAVIS.
npcI Wa. Imminent as the Result of
Front snd Died na. c.


J3dah Philip Benjamin. United States
Senator for two terms from the State of
louisiana. Acknowledgement under the
provisional government of the Southern
roaScdcracy. later Secretary OF War in
the Confederate Cabinet. and for nearly
fo1r vears Secretary of State in the Cabi-
rar Of President Davis. was one OF the
,nast remarkable OF nineteenth century
Americans and in later life he became
a7e n the greatest of English lawyers,
as he vas already one of the foremost men
=, Tie American bar. The public career
az the man may thus be briefly summa-
dyed Al adequate history and achieve
nsnts OF this man would make a. large
and most interesting volume of biography.
HIS life was d series of brilliant achieve
r7snts and his activity ceased only with
his latest breath. a portrait OF him will
h presented 10 r. L. Lee Camp. c. V.
mis- week
Born BY a, strange combination of cir
cuustances on the Island OF st. Croix,
MI Benjaulins parents were English
hebrews, who. at the time of his advert
were on their way to New Orleans. where
thov proposed to make their homo. The
war with Great Britain caused the mouth
u the Mississippi to be blockaded at
the time by the British feet, and pre-
vented the parents reaching their desu-
nation.
Early Days in Carolina.
The early toyhood of Benjamin was
spent in Wilmington, y. c., where the
future statesulan,s early education was
received. At the early age of "A. or in
the year 1875. the youth entered Yale,
and after spending three years there left
without receiving a degree. Going to
New Orleans the young collegian there
studied law in a notarys office. and. in
December. 1882. at the age Of Il, he was
admitted TO The bar. For some years
thereafter he taught school and utilized
his spare time compiling d digest Of cases
decided in the local court. q work, the
scope Of which was subsequently en-.
large6 and il was published as a digest
NJ The reported decisions Of the Supreme
Court Of the Tate territory of Orleans
and Of the Supreme Court of the State
Of Louisiana This appeared in 1892
The Young lawyer established his repu-
tation by this precocious publication, and
thereafter rose rapidly in his chosen pro
fession. and stood in the front rank Of
Inc hsr Of New Orleans In 1910 he be-
came associated with John, Slidell. later
his colleague in the Senate. and they
rracticed law under the name Of Slideli,
Benjamin & Conrad, doing a large buSi-
ness for the cotton planters, and merchants
n the gulf metropolis, and adding 10 his
farae and fortune.
In 1915. Mr. Benjamin, a Wing, was
elected a member OF the Louisiana Con-
siitutional Convention. and added to his
reputation by Ills service in that body.
Though himself alien born he champion
cd. clause requiring that the Governor
ri the State should he a native OF the
Caited States.
in 1877. Benjamin was retained as coun-
sal in the investigation Of the Spanish
iard titles under which early settlers In
California claimed the property Return
ing from that mission, he was admitted
70 practice before the Supreme Court OF
the United States, and soon had many
cases before that great tribunal. where
ne steadily added TO his reputation.
At odds With aIr. Davis.
Always interested in politics and pub
lie affairs he was in 1873 made an elecior-
at-larEe for the presidency from the
State of Louisiana. Four years later his
pra-eminent abilities secured his election
20 The United States Senate. and, again
IN 1851 he was returned to that body, and
served there until his State seeded from
the Union He went with II, Withdrawing
with MS colleague. Senator John NJ Sill
dell, February 1. 1851 During his service
y that form. then illumined by galaxy
~ statesmen, such as this country has
never Witnessed since he took rank With
tic ehlest men in that forum lie soon
became one OF the foremost men in the
Touthcrn wing Of his party. During his
serrice in the Senate q sharp controversy
Of q personal nature occurred in which
he a&I Jefferson Davis. then Senator
from Mississippi, We're in an aitituae
vEtch threatened a duel. An apology on
The floor OF the. Senate by Mr. Davis Tor
nc harsh language he had used aTerted
hleodshed, and the two men were alter
wards FOR wears Intimately and pronl-
nentlv associated in the Confederate Gov
ernIusnt in guiding the desunles OF
which Mr. Benjamin was no less lnhreh
'l5l, il less conspicuous, than the fTes-
taeat himself. Indeed. SO great was the
influence and counsel OF this resourcefui
mzr aad brilliant and learned lawyer that
ha has been characterized as the brains
81 the Confcderacy," a. distinction be-
slowed ny his counIy's enemies, nnt one
i7t altogether Uninerited.
IN the Confederate Cabinet.
Chosen Attorncy-General on the for
ma1on of The provisional government al
" AEtEOmery, he did not serve long IN that
Fanacity before he was called 10 q 'heH
ia' more important and responsible post
and one requiring all his resourcefulness.
ttE war portfolio. Upon being accused
~ q committee of the Confederate Con-
gross OF incompetence and neglect OF
oGtE he promptly resigned, but was I'M
msdiately made Secretary of State, tne
head Of the Cabinet. In this capacity ne
continued with ever increasing repnta-
'lop until the fall of Richmond. when ne
ned wiln the President and other Caol-
net officers and remained with them du-
ring fheir retreat southwark until the
last veSGge OF organized. government was
abandoned. When the fleeing ofnclals
dispersed he escaped from the coast OF
Florida 10 the Bahamas in an open boat
gong thence to Nassau and later 70
liverpool
His Career I'm England.
Immediately upon his arrival in England
ne eHpatria,c American began the STUDY
. English law, and In the summer OF
ISS. AT the age of IS. he was called TO the
oAs Unknown and ii recent student OF
british law. his success at first was mea- /
ne and he had to supplement his slendei
hcpme from that source by Journalistic
work ard his unfagging energy and mag
hhceft powers enabled him. even amld
fa's struggle for livelihood. TO- pregaEe
work on law which at once made MIN