The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1910-05-19
A Fine
Tribute
TO THE CHARACTER AND At
-TAlNMEGNrS OF CONGRESS-
MAN W. Il. HUBBARD.
Worthy of Any Office
Within the gift Of the people Of west
Virginia and able to fill it. says
One who knew him in the stormy
period which tried mems souls.

|
| Granville DaViSSOn Hall is one Of the
| few actors left~in what may most fit
tingy be called the heroic days of
West Virginia--that stormy. period
which tried mems souls, when West
Virginia was created, the days Of so
to '63. Mr.. Hall has written a fine
history of the period in his book cal
led The Rending Of Virginia." He
was the reporter of the proceedings
of~the conventions ot~<May- and June,
1861, which reorganized the govern
ment Of Virginia and later Of the con-
Vention which framed the first con-
stitution c; West Virginia. He was
one OF the editors of the Wheeling
lntelligencer; and in those days, as
we'll as afterwards, a co-worker with
Archie Campbell. Pierpont, Wiley,
GARLIC, Boreman, Lamb, Van Wrinkle,
Chester D. Hubbard, and the other
strong men who then battled bravely
and effectively for the creation Of West
Virginia. Several years ago, Mr.. Hall
moved to Glencoe, Illinois, where he
now lives, writing books and enjoying
L.
Hall has never lost his interest in
West Virginia. A short time ago he
wrote a letter, which was published in
the Wheeling Intellgencer, which is
a fine tribute, but a deserved one to
Mr. Hubbard
The letter is as follows:
10 the Editor Of the Intelligencer
Sir:-As a "looker on in Vienna
from a distance-!the writer has fol-
lowed appreciation and interest re-
cent publications in your columns re-
garding the candidacy of Hon. Will
lam P. Hubbard for the Senate Hav-
ing no direct concern i'm the matter,
can not claim any rights Of controver-
sy, as citizen Of your state may. Yet
though i have been away from West
/ virginia for more E., than 81 5. years. !
lparaphrase the old boat song Of the
Scotch Canadian and confess that the
blood is strong, the heart is High,
land" and In my dreams / behold
(not the 'Hebrides' butt the hills Of
my native state. SO many and so en-
dearing ties bind ME, it is hard to
give up sOlcitude for the people with
and for whom | have labored in years
past. This is my apology for ventur-
ing to offer you the brief comment
which follows:
/ have rather regretted, though not
meaning to criticise, the attitude Of
! the Intelligencer towards this old and
very dear friend, who about AZ years
ago Joined me in the purchase Of half
interest in that property. We had been
associated in an official relation for
two or three years before When Mr.
Hubbard came out Of that fine old
/ Methodist school at Middleton, Con-
necticut, where he had laid deep the
foundations Of a worthy manhood he
wanted work and found it, as assist
ant to the clerk of your house Of dele
gates. Here he took his first turn at
the crank Of the wheel Of labor with
an energy, ability and singleness Of
purpose which have since characteri-
Zed his whole career. Later. after the
purchase Of the newspaper interest, he
deemed it best to give himself to law;
and thus a great editor was lost to
make a great lawyer.
From that time, when first anne to
understand. from this close assocat-
ion. the strength and solidity Of Mr..
lluDbard's virtUes-his rugged integ-
rtty and his Write grasp of intricate
problems, and with it all his delicate
and generous consideration for others
Il have felt steadfast admiration
for his superb manliness, and for his
steadily growing knowledge and power
as q man, a lawyer and statesman.
When Mr.. Hubbard, some three or
more years ago. concluded to offer
himself for seat in the house, it was
stated Gn your columns, I think) that
he had cleared his decks by resigning
all the places in which he had con-
nections with corporations, to the end
that he might be absolutely free and
untrammcled in his new relation to
the people Of his district in the event
OF his being honored and trusted by
! them
do not know anything more credit
able to man embarking in public
life than this kind Of preparation for
it. was not surprised at it, for it
| was characteristic Of the stock whence
| he sprang. His father when in the
| House 40 years ago, was controlled by
tho same kind Of honorable scruples
| IT is true this kind Of conduct in pub
| JIG men is somewhat out Of fashion:
but this is one Of the old fashions we
should be glod to SOC come in again.
Most Of your dearcS know and hard
| ~ need to be reminded, that while in
the past Mr.. Hubbard has shown but
| little desire for official preferment. he
| did few years ago, in a modest way.
render West Virginia very important
service In working ont tho rnnrnnni