The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-26
The Civilian Leaders Of the Confederacy
BY John Goode, Of Virginia.
Sometime Member Of the Confederate Congress Of the Virginia
Secession Convention Of the Congress United States and
President Of the Virginia Constitutional Convention Of

were diminished and the revenues cut
down. During the year 1860 Ehe made
a speech In the Senate in favor Of the.
extension OF slavery and thes right OF
the owners to carry them into the Ter
.litoriss. He cspoused the cause OF
secessi on and exerted his great Talent,
J !, accomplishing that result, After
the State had seceded he was chosen
a member OF the Provisional Congress.
and as member of that body took an
active part. as.;s. ga
Secretary of State. SIX
In July, 1861, he was made sccrc-
tary OF State as the successor OF Mr..
Toombs. In March. 1855 9. ffiie was elects.
ed a Confederate Senator. sfron5 syir->
ginia, and occupied that position UNI
I'll the close Of the war. In February,
1855. rs has already been shown. he
was appointed 'one OF the peace com.
missioners that met In Hampton Roads
and received the ultimatum OF. the
United States government as to tina
only terms on which peace could be
restored. Hef was defeated for the
United States Senate by tho Les ls1ature
of Virginia inSi1S74 in n long contest
between himself. Senator Withers and
others but he was made Treasurer of
the State in 1877. To his honor { may
be said that after q long public service
he died a. poor man at his home In Es-
sex on the 18th of July. 1887. The
spirit of bribery. corruption-and graft
ing had not then received the sanction
of legislators.
Upon the organization of the Confed-
crate senat. under What was known
as the permanent Constitution. Mr..
Hunter was elected president, pro tenn.
AS have already said. he had been
Speaker Of tho House OF Representa-
tives, and was considered as very
high authority on all questions Of par.
Elementary law. His rulings have been
often quoted will, approval by mem
bers OF the Senate and House of Hep
rssentatives. His mind was exceed.
ingly philosophical In It's characters.
/ tics. and he was universally regarded
| by his contemporaries as calm, con.
j servative and safe statesman. In the
Language OF the mother OF the Graceful
i Virginia, when asked for her Jewels
points to her sons and we may res
assured that the name OF r. M. 7
i Hunter will not be forgotten when thu
State comes to make up her Jewels. 4
4 may be, perhaps, entertaining and In
4 opment of his mind and character
Throughout his eventful and usefu
4 life.
Went 10 old Field school.
!, He lived upon a beautiful estate II
the county OF Essex. the home of hi
maternal grandparents, which over
1 looked the valley of the Rappahannocl
as It went upon Its winding and tortll
J. GUS way to the Chesapeakeg Bay. ]
is said that his mother was celebrated
for her intellectual powers and grea
< strength OF character. who deyelope'
! at an early age strong love Tor 1T
!, erature. His paternal ancestors 10
3 three generations were merchants
/, lshtgh standing in the social and busi
! ness world, His forefatlers We're
i Scotch extraction Until$h he was elevel
! years old he was ed Gated at home q
: his sisters and after tn at NJ Al ga llel
schoolhouse to which he walked ever e 7
, day.
AT that time he Exhibited q flnancla
! talent as applied to ratlonal l fairs
4 private settlements on g large seal
but he had no fondness for detail
8 After much and careful refllee S1 ton
9 was determined to send him TO T., -
9 University ot Virginia. " hioh had 1us
y been established MS the Ioste !. !. !, !
Q OF Mr. Jefferson.$ He was I. on ne OF q =
: first Of Its graduates Alter SL n.y. = :
!, three years at the suniyerslty ne e !. q
4 tered the law school OF Judge fIenr
g st. George Tucker. the tat her O. !, y : ~ J
9 Randolph Tucker, an emineht 3c.' ~ Z
9 OF Virginia. And here. 90. ne =. III !,
: mot the beautiful niece of uds sluss
/ err thcn child OF ten or we've lS q :
Q, OF age, who was destined 70 pecoNet !.
y wife In latar years. IN the ear =! ~ :
e as have said. he ,vas Gle tea'. y y Y
y, hut twenty-six years ol ~
= House Of Delegates Virs !m,h Y y :,
y Essex county, and ~, !, n I,
l. capacity durina lie sessions Rof = % ~
= and 1ssc-'s7. During is term % g, g.
d vcc he was WIZ s :, III
IN as Thomas w. Gilmer NV '' I,ot.
u all, John M. m u, EJn
4 Hugh A. Garland. Vlnoe e1a' y, ny c ei
70 Fayette McAIullen. y \,
y and others Of equal celepr Mia y
Y subsequent session y, =, n 3