CONTENTS

CHAPTER I

Date of birth-Ancestry-Early history of Bedford County-Its

contribution to the Washington Monument-Great lawyers

from Bedford-Especially distinguished for fine preachers—

Sketches of some of the most prominent-Early education and

school incidents....

13

CHAPTER II

The Lexington Law School-John W. Brockenbrough, its founder—

His fame as a lawyer and advocate-Appointed judge by Presi-

dent Polk-He represents Virginia in the Peace Conference-

Delegate to the Provisional Congress at Montgomery-The

preparation of his lectures.........

24

CHAPTER III

Admission to the bar-Elected to the Virginia Legislature-Story of

Mr. Burwell and Dr. Tate-Chosen as Presidential elector-

Governor Barbour-The campaign of 1855-"Weehawk" and

"Waxey"-Gubernatorial campaign of 1859-A week in Wash-

ington in winter of 1860-61-R. M. T. Hunter and James M.

Mason-Virginia's strong delegation in 36th Congress......

CHAPTER IV

The Secession Convention of 1861-Its membership-Brief summary

of measures and events leading up to secession movement-

War not waged to perpetuate slavery-Virginia's efforts to

avoid the inevitable break-Speeches of commissioners from

Mississippi, Georgia, and South Carolina-Secession ordinance

submitted to the people and ratified by them-General Lee's

appointment by Governor Letcher-His sublime acceptance-

Benjamin H. Hill's matchless eulogy of Lee-My personal

recollection of him-Some members of the convention who

took up arms for the Confederacy-General Early................

42

CHAPTER V

Virginia takes her place at the head of the Confederate column-

The noble women of the Confederacy-Bedford County the

first to respond-Her splendid contributions to the cause-In

camp of instruction and then on to Manassas-Second Virginia

Regiment of Cavalry-Battle of Manassas-Bee christens

Jackson-General Terry's distinguished services..

CHAPTER VI

Elected to the Confederate Congress-Campaign conducted by my

friends-The organization of the Provisional Government-

Personnel of Provisional Congress-The Constitution as

adopted-Main differences between it and that of the United

States-The Constitution and slavery-Some early measures

adopted-Slidell and Mason-Organization of first regular

Congress-Election of Mr. Davis-An incident in the life of

Hannibal-Financial measures-The judiciary-Efforts for

peace-The last session-General Lee and the military situa-

tion-Return to the law after the surrender-So-called restored

Government

CHAPTER VII

66

76

Removal to Norfolk and admission to its bar-My first appearance in

an interesting suit-Elected to the House of Delegates-Per-

sonnel of the body-Reconstruction-The Underwood Consti-

tution-Noble effort of conservative members to save State

from disgrace and ruin-The Disfranchising and Test Oath

clauses-The convention in Richmond in December, 1867......------ 97

CHAPTER VIII

Appointment as member of Board of Visitors of Virginia Polytechnic

Institute, and to University of Virginia and College of William

and Mary-My associates-Delegate to National Democratic

Convention-A remarkable scene in the convention-Member

of National Committee-Baltimore convention of 1872-Fitz-

hugh Lee-My association with him-Memorable contest for

governorship in 1873-James L. Kemper and Robert W.

Hughes

CHAPTER IX

102

Elected to Forty-fourth Congress-Contest for the seat-Sample of

testimony taken in the contest-Pleasant relations with Gov-

ernor Wise-My Democratic colleagues from Virginia-Prom-

inent members of the House-James G. Blaine-John Randolph

Tucker-Benjamin H. Hill and Zach. Chandler-Encounter

between Roscoe Conkling and L. Q. C. Lamar-Wintersmith

and Lamar-John H. Reagan, the Grand Old Man of Texas-

Zebulon B. Vance-The debt the people of Virginia owe to

him-Samuel J. Randall-James A. Garfield and Yorktown........107

CHAPTER X

The Electoral Commission-A retrospective glance at the method of

counting the electoral vote-Provisions of bill creating the

Commission-Its personnel and organization-Counting the

vote-The disputed Florida certificates-Ruling of the Com-

mission-Louisiana's case and final disposition-The case of

Oregon-An incident that created merriment-South Carolina

certificates considered and Hayes electors counted-The funda-

mental error of the Commission-An important conference-

My remarks in the House during the counting of the electoral

vote

CHAPTER XI

The Forty-fifth Congress-My Virginia colleagues-Some distin-

guished members on both sides-The Speakership-Committee

assignments-The Forty-sixth Congress convened in extraor-

dinary session-Prominent members-Defeated as candidate

for Forty-seventh Congress-The Readjuster party in control

in Virginia-Mr. Massey and the billy-goat-Preliminary cele-

bration at Yorktown-Bright sally of Major Bemiss-John

Randolph of Roanoke.........

CHAPTER XII

..163

Return to the practise of law-Appointment as Democratic elector on

Cleveland ticket-Appointed Solicitor-General of the United

States Senate refuses to confirm my nomination on purely

political grounds-The Bell telephone patent case-Associated

with Allen G. Thurman-Represent the United States in

British Columbia-Conversations with Mr. Cleveland-Com-

missioner of the United States to settle claims between Chile

and our country-Some great lawyers I have known-Judah P.

Benjamin's rule for fixing fees-Incidents of notable trials—

Mr. Wise and Mr. Voorhees-My address as president of the

Virginia State Bar Association..........

CHAPTER XIII

..170

Acquaintance with Ex-Gov. James McDowell-Gov. Joseph Johnson

emphatically a man of the people-Personally acquainted with

all governors since his day-Incidents of Governor Wise's

administration-"Honest John" Letcher-"Extra Billy" Smith

-Private John Allen's anecdote...........

CHAPTER XIV

The Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1901-02-The vote for

and against it-I am elected delegate from Bedford County-

Organization-Elected president of the convention-Speeches

nominating me to the office-My reply-Memorial exercises in

honor of the lamented President McKinley-Installation of

.202

State officers in hall of convention-The great work accom-

plished by the convention and high character of debate-Per-

sonnel of committees-Summary of benefits of new constitu-

tion-The city of Richmond...

..205

CHAPTER XV

The peculiar institution-The introduction of African slaves into

Virginia-The relations existing between the white and colored

races since that time.......

CHAPTER XVI

The Jamestown Ter-Centennial Celebration-Hearing before com-

mittee of House of Representatives-Appear before Georgia

Senate and House with General Fitzhugh Lee-Address the

General Assembly of Connecticut in favor of the celebration-

My remarks before the committee of the House of Representa-

tives

CHAPTER XVII

Commodore Matthew F. Maury-His true greatness-The great debt

due to him by the General Government-Descent and birth-

First voyage and beginning of his treatise on navigation-His

marriage-Great services to science-"Physical Geography of

the Sea"-Addresses before agricultural societies-Urged to

take up his residence abroad after resigning from United States

Navy-Goes to Mexico after the war-Return to his native

State-His last request to his wife.....

.221

228

....250

CHAPTER XVIII

Washington City-History of its selection as seat of government—Its

exceptional advantages and many attractions.........

...257

CHAPTER XIX

Conclusion-A parting word to our young men-Many kinds of

leaders-The professions and what they offer to the young

man-Every man owes a debt to his country-All wisdom not

confined to old heads-Some notable examples of young men-

The young man urged to take up the practical side of life-The

triumph of the South over its obstacles since the war-The

"New South's" debt to the "Old South"-No star of hope but

the Star of Bethlehem.......

.........261

AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED ΤΟ THE MEMORY OF MY BELOVED WIFE, AND MOTHER, TO WHOM, UNDER A KIND PROVIDENCE, I FEEL INDEBTED FOR ALL THAT I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED IN LIFE; AND ALSO TO THE MEMORY OF MY NOBLE SON, RICHARD URQUHART GOODE, WHO WAS SUDDENLY CUT OFF IN THE PRIME OF HIS MAN HOOD AND IN THE MIDST OF HIS USEFULNESS TO HIS FAMILY, HIS COUNTRY AND HIS CHURCH.