Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF GENERAL LUCIUS J. GARTRELL. [We are indebted to Prof. Seals, editor of The Sunny South, for the fine portrait and sketch of the life of our distinguished fellow-citizen, Gen. Lucius J. Gartrell. The General is well and fa vorably known in the South, and in fact through out the whole country, as an eminent lawyer and a far seeing and experienced statesman. No doubt this sketch will be read with interest by his many friends and admirers, not only in this State but the whole South.] General Lucius J. Gartrell was born in Wilkes county, Ga., on the 7th of January, 1821, and is now fifty-five years of age. He was educated at Randolph-Macon College, Virginia, and Franklin College in this State. Commencing the study of law at an early age, in the office of Gen. Robert Toombs, at Washington, Ga., he was admitted to the bar in Lincoln Superior Court in 1842. He located at Washington in his native county, and formed a partnership with Isaiah T. Irwin, a prominent member of the bar, with whom for a time he practiced his chosen profession. Giving promise of success from the outset, his friends felt an assured pride that a bright and useful career awaited him in the future. Attracting attention as a young lawyer of ability, the General Assembly of the State, in 1843, elected him Solicitor-General of the Northern Judicial Circuit—a position much coveted by young lawyers at that time, as a stepping-stone to political preferment. He ably discharged the duties of this office for nearly four years. Shortly after his election to this position, he en tered into partnership with the late Hon. Gar nett Andrews, who for many years was Judge of the Superior Court of the Northern Judicial Circuit. The people of Wilkes county, in 1847, elected him a member of the Legislature. Resigning his Solicitorship, he took his seat in the House of Representatives the following Winter. They re-elected him in 1849, and at the session of 1849-50 he introduced the celebrated Southern Rights Resolutions, which passed by a decided majority. These resolutions obtained a wide spread reputation as containing the true doctrine upon which the South should stand or fall, in opposition to the aggressions of the Northern abolitionists. Having now served four years in the Georgia Legislature, he returned to private life, contin uing the practice of law in the Northern Judi cial Circuit till 1854, at which time he removed to Atlanta, where he has since resided. Opening an office in the Gate City, he very soon acquired a large, lucrative practice. In the canvass of 1855, in the Fourth Con gressional District, ho took an active pnrt in favor of Hon. Hiram Warner, the Democratic candidate for Congress. The people were fully aroused to the important issues involved in that close contest; and the services rendered by him contributed in no small degree to the success achieved by the party in the election of Judge Warner. As Democratic elector, in 1856, on the ticket for Buchanan and Breckinridge, he canvassed his district and other portions of the State with great power and efficiency, ami in the electoral college cast his vote for these conservative and distinguished men. Judge Warner declining a re-election, Gen. Gartrell was nominated and elected in 1857, by a large majority, to the Con gress of the United States. In 1859 he was re-elected to the same position by a largely in creased majority, and remained in Congress til! Georgia withdrew from the I’nion. An able, experienced debater, he spoke on most of the prominent questions that came before the House, especially on the contested election cases. (In the subject of Southern rights, he took a bold, decided stand. Plainly and fully informing the Northern people of our rights under the consti tution, and in like manner that the South was deeply in earnest, and resolved to maintain those rights at every hazard, he did much to avert the war that afterwards drenched the land with blood. In a strong speech, delivered in the House of Representatives in January, iB6O, he uttered the following invocation, so full of patriotic warning: ••The issues are fully made up, and the trial between right and wrong, justice and injustice, the »WfflW & Pt«ra lawlessness and the constitution, union and dis union will soon be had, and I pray God that the result at the ballot-box may not be such as to force upon my people the dire necessity of ap pealing to the cartridge-box'” Gen. Gartrell, while in Congress, was Regent of the Smithsonian Institute, and was regarded one of the most promising, rising young States men of the country. This is shown by his speeches in and out of Congress, and the com ments of the press throughout the Union. On Georgia dissolving her connection with the Federal Government in January, 1861, he left Congress and returned home ; and as soon as it was ascertained that war between the States was inevitable, he organized the Seventh Georgia Regiment, and was unanimously elected its colonel. He was mustered into service in May, 1861, and immediately thereafter reported to Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, who was then com manding at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia, and went at once into active service. He commanded this GENERAL LUCIUS J. GARTRELL. far-famed regiment on the 21st of July, 1861, in the battle of Manassas. This regiment was among the commands which “ bore the brunt of this hard-fought engagement.” Gen. Johnston, in his report of this great battle, mentioned him as one of the officers deserving of distinc tion. He states in this masterly report “ that every regiment and battery engaged performed its part well.” During his absence in the army, Gen. Gartrell was elected to the Confederate Congress. Re signing the colonelcy of his regiment, he took his seat in that body at Richmond in 1862, with the distinct avowal that he would remain in Congress but one term. He was appointed j Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, in which capacity he rendered the country much valuable service. As Representative in this Congress, vigilant and active in his efforts to relieve the wants of the army, he enjoyed a most deserved popularity among the soldiers in the field and the people at home. This popularity among the masses he has constantly maintained by his straightfor ward and manly conduct. Declining a re-election to the Confederate Con gress, he returned to the army, and was ap pointed a Brigadier-General by President Davis. He then organized a brigade of Georgia Reserves, composed of four regiments, known as Gartrell s Brigade, which he commanded to the end of the war. beloved by its officers and men. In 1863, Gen. Gartrell was solicited by many gallant officers and soldiers in the army, and citizens at home, to become a candidate for Gov | ernor, and although in the event of his oandi- dacy the prospect of success seemed flattering, yet he declined to run the race. In an able and patriotic letter, dated July 17, 1863, he used the following forcible and characteristic language : “ Recent events in the armies, and the threat ening aspect of affairs, have brought me to the conclusion that, in this hour of great peril to our beloved country, I ought not to become a candi date for office. Contentions for office might di vide and distract our people, and weaken the efforts and unnerve the arms of our brave de fenders in the field, who now stand between us and the hordes of abolition vandals, attempting to overrun and lay waste this fair land of ours.” After the war, Gen. Gartrell returned to Atlan ta, his property all destroyed ; but with a spirit that strives to overcome all discomfiture, he in good earnest resumed the practice of his profes sion, prosecuting the same with great success. He was a candidate, in 1866, for United States Senator, and when in a few votes of an election, withdrew, for the sake of harmony, in favor of Hon. H. V. Johnson, who was then elected. For a time after this, laboring under political disa bilities, imposed by the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, he took but little active part in politics, though an earn est observer of passing events, but vigorously pursued the practice of law. For a short time in 1872, at the solicitation of friends, he was again a candidate for United States Senator ; but when it became known that Hon. A. H. Stephens desired or would accept the Senatorship, he with drew in favor of this sage of Georgia, in a patri otic letter, which was highly complimented by the press. His political disabilities were not re moved by Congress until February 17, 1873. Gen Gartrell has filled many important places of public trust and honor, still he is no.office seeker, in the general acceptation of the term. In the last Congressional election in Georgia, he took the stump for the Democratic candidates, and his speeches were pronounced, by intelligent correspondents and others, as among the ablest ever delivered in this State. As a lawyer, Gen. Gartrell is capable, success ful and true to the interest of his clients. As a criminal advocate, he stands cohfease ily at the head of the profession. In this field of the science, he has but few equals in the United Slates. Under his management, in the court room, the criminal, no matter what his crime may be, in confident reliance upon his abiiity, feels that perfect ease and safety which is akin to liberty itself. His eloquence at the bar is bold, strong and persuasive, and rarely fails to take captive the judgment, and melt the heart into compassion for lhe prisoner at the bar. As stated of a great orator of the Old Do minion, “ his eloquence always commands the hour, pointed, practical, abounding in great truths, going home to the bosoms and business of men.” In manner and voice, when speak ing, he resembles Henry Clay, that grand old commoner of “ the dark and bloody ground.” This very high compliment was paid him by one of Georgia’s greatest and best men, who for many years knew Mr. Clay intimately and well. In person, Gen. Gartrell is above the medium size, commanding in appearance without the air of haughtiness, with open, free countenance, and mild pleasing manners: he is a fine type of the true Southern gentleman. In any assembly of men, he would be recognized at once as a man of note and ability. This brief outline but indifferently portrays the character and public career of this promi nent son of Georgia; much more might be de servedly said. Actively observant of political affairs, pos sessed of talents of the highest order, true to every trust, popular among the people, kind and charitable to the poor, outspoken on all subjects of public interest, an incorruptible patriot, in friendship true, candid and unswerving, with an energy and fixedness of purpose that quails before no opposition, Gen. Gartrell is one of Georgia’s best and ablest men. The Southern Publishing Company. It is the only house in the South that prints books for Northern houses. Our subscription books are printed on our own presses and shipped to Northern subscription book pub lishers and sold by them through agents, thus showing that we ha we the facilities for compe ting with Northern publishing and printing houses, and that it is to the interest of every man in the South to patronize us. Owing to the large pressure upon our columns, we are compelled to leave out several interest ing and valuable communications, which we will take pleasure in inserting in our next issue. Globe Flower. —We invite special attention to the advertisement of Dr. J. 8. Pemberton & Co. We endorse what is claimed for Globe Flower Syrup. It cannot be too highly recom mended, as we have used it in our family with great benefit. We are personally acquainted with Doctor Pemberton and Mr. Gay, the pro prietors, who are men of high standing and in tegrity. We cheerfully commend them to our readers. An Important Medical Want Supplied.—The celebrated French Surgeon, Magendie, declared that no remedy for headache had ever been dis covered. It has remained f ran American phy sician to make the discovery. The most reliable testimony establishes the fact, that the Extract of Cranberries ami Hemp, combined by Dr. J. P. Miller, 327 Spruce street, Philadelphia, Pa., permanently cures the most obstinate cases of Dyspeptic, Nervous or Sick Headache, and is an absolute specific for Neuralgia and Nervousness. The new remedy is prepared in pills, at 50 cents a box, sent by mail. Dr. 8. VAN METER, Founder of the famous Infirmary at Charles ton, Illinois, is able to tell the true condition of any afflicted person, and give his symptoms, bet tr than the patient himself. This he does not do by witchcraft or spiritualism, but it is the legit imate result of patient, careful study of the ef fects of Disease, and long experience in their treatment. The Charleston Infirmary, known over the whole country, has, for near 30 years past, been the resort of the afflicted,and men of the highest standing, both South and North, in dorse it from a personal knowledye of its merits. After constant confinement for years. Dr. Van Meter will, as a matter of recreation, take a tour through the South-Eastern States, and will stop at various points, that the afflicted may consult him. He will be along in two or three weeks. Send at once for the Journal Extra, containing full particulars of towns, dates, hotels, &c. Address, inar-lm Dr. 8. VAN METER A CO., Charleston, 111. —w •>» — Hygienic Institute and Turkish Bath, Corner Loyd and Wall streets, opposite the Pas senger Depot, Atlanta, Georgia, For the Cure of Chronic Diseases, by Nature’s Remedies the “ Water-cure Process,” the “ Movement cure, etc., etc. Hygienic Board in connection. Directions for Home Treatment, when parties are unable to come here for treatment. Address, in full, J NO. STAIN BACK WILSON, M.D., It Proprietor and Physician-in-charge. Ladies and Gentlemen who will devote their leisure or entire time to soliciting sul<scribers for the Rural Southerner and Plamtatd*«, will be allowed special induce ments. 9