The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-09
tNo. 1872
JAMES nj, MASON.

JAMES NJ. MASON.
AS I sat in the gallery of tho Senate
of the United States in the winter of
1S5o-'eO, 1 had an opportunity to wit
ness as a deeply Interested spectator,
the proceedings which finally culmin-
ated In the disruption of the Union. 1t
was then I first saw the subject of this
sketch. He was at that time an hon
ored member from Virginia. and had
already taken rank by common con-
sent as wise, safe and conservative
statesman.
The Senate at that time was COM
posed of men who made Il lasting inn
preston upon the times in which they
lived John c. Breckenridge was the
President OF the Senate. and was highly
regarded by men of all parties for his
wise craftsmanship his exalted talent
and his great parliamentary skill.
Among the notable men of the Senate
at that time were stephen "A. Douglass,
candidate for the pres-
dency in the ever-memorable campaign
Of 1860: Jefferson Davis, afterwards
the President of the Confederate States;
William III. Seward. of New York: r.
Nj T. Hunter of Virginia. and many
Others who have since gone to that
ihourne whence no traveller returns.
watched with the keeuest interest the
champions of high debate as they en-
gagged In their bright intellectual sal
lies and contendod for the mastery.
The OId-Time Way.
Subsequently toNthat time in the fall
of 1860. j had the pleasure of forming
the personal acquaintance of Mr..
Mason. The Democrats of Bedford
county, Va, provided 81 large barbecue,
(which was numerously attended, and at
which Mr.. Mason was the principal
speaker. and made u marked impression
upon the assembled audience. His
Istyle was eminently senatorial He
made no appeal to tho passions or
tprejudiccs of his hearers. but addressed
himself entirely to their reason and
understanding There was nothing like
.Icap- trap or demagogy in what he said.
Long after the occurrence referred to
III heard the old farmers of Bedford
Ecounty, in discussing the Incidents of
the day. often say that Mr.. Mason was
the kind of man to whom they We're
delighted to listen. After his speech
(which occupied two hours In delivery
during which there was no applause. but
perfect stiffness, as ii the audience
We're eager to catch every word that
fell from his lips, certain ncishborhood
iorators We're called upon to speak. and
they amused the audience with anec-
doies which have done duty for many
: Years past, but they made no such last
ling Impression as Mr.. Mason did.
He was born on November 3, 1898,
and was one of ten children. He was
educated at Georgetown, the University
lof PENNSYLVANIA and the College OF
William and Mary. He opened his
office for practice in the town of Win
chester Va, after having spent a year
az n student in the law Office of Ben
jamin Watkins Leigh, of Richmond. EIc
was the grandson of George Mason,
: OF Gunston, a distinguished leader In
tile Revolutionary War and COM
patriot OF George Washington. 1t has
been truly said that tho greatest of all
builders are the builders OF States.
George Mason, of Gunston, was certainly
4 8 master builder, so far as the work of
building constitutions is concerned. He
Q was tho acknowledged author of the
Constitution framed at williamsburg
: OH the 9Th of May, 1916, tho first writ
J, ten constitution for u free and indepen.
!. dent commonwealth ever known 10
n mankind.
The Grcnt Ill, of Rights.
~ II Is no eXaggeration to say that TIL
N Virginia Bill OF Rights, drawn b,
George Mason, is the most complete
rs summary of the rights of man an,
the principles OF free government tina
i, has ever been given Il, mankind on
" of its articles declares that no MAJ
cs or set of men Is entitled To exclusive
or separate emoluments or privilege
nc from the Commonwealth, but, in con
lsideration of public services, which
- not being descendablc neither ough
the offices of magistrate, legislator o
Judge TO be hereditary" AS has Doe,