Year: 1865




One of the most remarkable men that
figured in the Confederate Government was
undoubtedly, J, P. Benjamin. As Secre-
tary Of State, Secretary of War, and At
torney General, be appeared in the late
eVentful struggle of the Southern States.
His versatile genius, if it did not render
him competent to fll every and all positions
that occasion might require, essayed the ex
pertinent, and with his usual boldness and
energy hewould plunge at once IN m'edias
res. A Federal Senator for many years in
the United States Congress, be was the
swift-footed, terrible Achilles Of the Dem
ecratic party brought out in the great sena.
torial contest to mercileSsly slaughter any
oVer-dariug, presumptuops enemy, or to
chase the opposing hosts back to the barri-
caded ground of fortified silence. 1t was
he whom the Southern leaders set upon
Douglass-uuwillingly, it is said-and it
was his great master effort upon Douglas
"Squatter" Sovereignty doctrine that polit-
ically killed that gifted and hitherto popu-
lar leader of the Democracy. His speech
was masterpiece Of reason and tact-it
was uuanswerable. In the Supreme Court
his forensic eloquence enchained bench,
bar, and spectators alike. Not since the
days of Hamilton and Pinckney had that
Court witnessed such lawyer. 1t seemed
that be knew everything, and that in every
department of science he was equally at
home. Those who knew him have told US
that he was frequently to be seen writing
some great legal argument and talking at
the same time to three or four persons on
other matters. Yet DO mistake would be
made in his manuscript, every word would
fit in, be beautiful and appropriate. His
ceaseless activity was the standing wonder
of those who knew him we'll. Nothing
ever tagged him; nothing upset his equa,
nimity, nor disturbed his imperturbility.
A great lawyer and an accomplished court.
ier, he was said to have more influence with
the ex-President of the Confederacy than
any one else-certainly than any of the
Cabinet. And yet Mr.. Davis was man
who dreaded being Influenced, and had a
horror of any one be suspected of approach
ing him with that intent. But MIR. Benja-
min knew Mr. Davis well, and the latter
would listen to nothing against his old
friend and confrere in the United States
Senate. AS to the effect of that influence
on the fortunes of the country and the fate
of, the Confederate States, whether it was
for good or for evil, it is not for US here to
say. 1t is sufficient to remark, that it is a
subject upon which wide difference Of
opinion exists "lW1 de mortuis nia 10.
nnm." Mr. Benjamin is, in all human
probability civilly dead to this couDtry.-
His eloquence will never again here, We
fear, entrance the Senate or the bar, nor
rouse the people, and Richmond will not
again hear the fascinating oolloquial pow
ers of the most charming conversatioualist
we ever met. This giant among men is in
exile, and beneath the broad palladium Of
the British Constitution has returned
to the practice of the law. With his elo-
quence and mastery of profession, we doubt
not but that the ex-Secretary, truly called
by Mr.. Reverdy johnson "the first jurist'
at the bar of the United States Supreme
Court, will soon take rank with the fore.
most of the great English lawyers, and
that the guineas will roll into his pockets as
they did, in a past generation, into those Of
Sir William Follett and Sir James Scarlet.
Times