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-t 1 ;'- '-T u m in iihii mammmmBmammmaam"rtmmfiat . 1... ;: J - ' -. - ; ' i, Sill I'-'i ti ; " ' THE COXSTTTUTION AJ?D THE U?nfO If OP IIE STATES .THEY 3IUST i M ! -i .1 . ' 1 -1 i-1 ""J :; RALEIGH, : RTHROlill Volume i iiifn "ii,'.rn---. ini'-",-'-- -ri:i ii'n . ..t . - - ----- r r , Xlmum TiTE XORTH CAROLINA STANDARD WILLIAM W. HOLDEN, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. r.nirvi Stikdihh is TiuWiBlieJ week- Ths-i)RI U r T nsiance will paper be sent, unless the money for. lIlti shall accampany the order. Subscribers, and K e who mav wish to send money to the Editor, can i 50 -it 1 . 1 . tivsR risEMKNTS not exceeding fourteen lines, will be .rteJ one time for one dollar, and twenty-five cents for fi subsequent insertion ; those of greater length in pro " tion. Court Orders and Judicial Advertisements will hird twenty-five per cent, higher than the above A reasonable deduction will be made to those who ate bv the year. crs to the Editor must come free of postage. EULOGY Commemorative of the Life and Public services of Ex frtndcnt Poik, delivered before-the citizens of Neto km, July 18, 1849 .. By GEOHGE S. STEVEXSOY, Esq. Wc have assembled, Fellow-Citizens, to content- he the life and death of a distinguished individual. aivesteraay, james iv. rout nnea xae ninesi sta tion to which an American ean aspire. To-day, he sleeps in the grave. And upon his memory rests the honor of being mourned by the nation. And we, Feliow-Citizens, have surrounded ourselves with the tl.Mc sf cm-Tkur ri4tfa tKo TTii r Aral ontnAm now share with all Americans the melancholy 'easure 01 commemoraiing me virtues 01 a great ana -;ion for eminent abilities and virtues, and of grief :! uo loss the country has sustained, in which we f.y.v indulge, are honorable to ourselves, and give the nest assurance of a healthy public sentiment. Vf need not dread those vices which destroy nations, long as the memory of our patriots are green in the hearts of the people. For who shall falter in the j..rvice of the republic, while his eye is fixed on those joftr spirits, who have marked for us the path of pnbYic dutVi and led the way 1 ' Tiie men, whose examples are most powerful for rood or evil, and who impress most deeply their characters upon the age in which they live, are those ho presido over the destinies of nations. They are 3 city set upon a hill. And happy, most happy, is that nation whose rulers are examples of public virtue :nd integrity. And in a country like ours, where the chief magistrate is chosen by the people, he reflects the character of the whole nation, and is the embodi ment of the people themselves ; therefore in his great ness and fame each citizen has a right to share. Who L.en shall check our emotions of proud exultation as we point the world to that brilliant constellation of "Tiius, virtue, and patriotism the American presi J.nts ? With these great men is numbered James K. Pulk, and his name will be forever written upon that immortal catalogue, which begins with Wash ington. And as these great men have one by one Ellen by death, a grateful people gathered around their craves, and with appropriate honors, canonized their ructnories. Greece, with a beautiful superstition elevated to theHeavens her immortal heroes; and uVhtly as the Starry dome swelled above her, she would point to where Hercules sinned atar. 1 ne saperstition has passed, but not the desire to honor the mighty dead. They still shine in the firmament of the hearts of mankind. And to him, whose funeral ibseqdes we now celebrate, history will assign a lofty place amid those stars, that illuminate the path way of nations. Though dead, he still lives. He !ives in the gratitude of a free people, not slow in ippreciating worth, nor hasty in suffering its remem brance to decay. His name will live o'n in the annals 0! his country, and will be forgotten only when the memory of the Republic itself shall perish. James Knox Polk was born in Mecklenburg coun tv in this State, Nor. 2, A. D. 1795. His family iere cf Irish origin. They were among the early immigrants to this country, and many of them were fetineuished patriots during our revolutionary slrug- .... . . . . r- t Tk.it- : !e. The txirtn anu name 01 air. x-oik 13 uiuuiaicijr fjnnected with the proudest and most renowned in cident in the historv of North Carolina the Meck lenburg declaration of independence those venerated resolutions, which none of us can hear mentioned, without just and honorable emotions of State-pride. When the colonies trembled on the verge of the rev- cliitionarv crisis, and men like Adams and Jefferson paused ere they crossed the Rubicon that divides loyalty from rebellion, the citizens Mecklenburg, ired with a holy enthusiasm, met in the town of Charlotte, and stating their country's wrongs with a manly eloquence, declared her independence of the British crown. Among these. brave and determined vtms of our native State, whose names should be written in rold, were Col. Thomas Polk, Dr. Ephraim Brevard and the Alexanders all relatives of the late President. How little did these celebrated men rpam or the rreatnes3 that was to be added to their same: that near the spot where Americans first pro- ' . .. 1 T.l I - k nouncea trial sacaoru, luuepeiiucntc, ouuuiu uo Wn nnfi. from their own family, who, half a century auerwards, should preside with distinguished ability verthe nation they had just declared iree, wnen he had grown in strength, her genius and power felt nd respected by the world, and her sway extended from the Atlantic to the golden sands ol the facihc! And thus upon this fortunate county of Mecklenburg rests the two-fold honor, of having been foremost in th dnnbtfnl and dan?rerous career of the revolution, and the first to give to the Republic a native North Carolinian who presided over its councils wun hucu marked ability and success. la 1806 the father ot Mr. rout removeu.wiui uib femily to the state of Tennessee. And thus, the sub ject of our Eulogy became identified with the pioneers of the West, a body of men prolific of great minds. Born in North Carolina, Mr. Polk returned here to receive his education. He entered our University in 1815, being then in his twentieth year. His academical career was distinguished. At each ex amination he bore off the highest honors. - He was remarkably punctual in the discharge of every duty, and finally graduated in the year 1818 with the first distinction, both in the mathematics and the classics. Incolleo-e he laid the foundation of his future great new, and exhibited those traits of character, that persevering energy, that indomitable march, slow but firm, which gave origin to the prophecy that he would attain hirh station in fife. He belonged to that class of young men, who rely not upon that un certain brilliancy of mind which some men call ge nius, but are content to labor and toil slowly up the nigged pathway that leads to knowledge, adopting their motto that beautiful sentiment of Horace ' Nil sine magno , Vita labore dedit mortalibas." From tho nnirsitv h" Tfttnrtied to Tennessee, where he commenced the study of the Law in the office of tl . 1 A. -.a we late Felix Grundy. Atter me usual lenn- 01 pre paration, he was in 1820 admitted to this profession, fce great vestibule to the political arena, and through hich have passed nine of the eleven presidents of the United Stat OB Hi talents for business soon com manded an extensive practice. Butit was not long be fore he left the forum, to enter upon the more stormy career of politics. In 1S23 he was elected to a seat in L. 1 . . - T 1 we legislature ot l ennessee. no was wnwo ucvo ?Te years a inember of this body, wfcsre bis ability ,n debate, arid promising Jaienw soon gave mm rep ation. Thrinr the session of 1823-4 ho ffavtf evj. "We of h direction his political course -would fcke, by uniting himself with those, who called ihat 'downed chieftain Andrew jacuson irom mj reiire nt, and elected him to the Senate of the United states. . ; ' In Inmot h;n dun in hia thirtieth Year. Mr. Polk was elected a member of Congress. To '"'spnet he brought those fundamental principles, oy which he guided his political, course through Kfe And here, it will be felt. and acknowledged. by all, that the, task is a difficult, and a delicate one, on "an occasion like this, in such an assembly, when all ani mosities should be buried in the grave, to eulogize the great events of a life spent in the fields of a pol itical warfare, and to pronounce a panegyric on the deeds of one, who when living was the leader of a political party, and dying, leaves the nation still agi tated by those great questions, one side only of which was illustrated by his life. After centuries shall have passed away, and all our passions and prejudi ces, with our bodies shall have died and been forgot ten, then, and then only, may we trust the philoso phic historian to record the events ofthis age.-: It is different with a . military hero. WlTen a chieftain dies who has led our armies through the 6torm of bat tle on to victory, in recalling his deeds, we all feel like immediate sharers of his glory; we stand with him upon the battle field, . and as -we behold the un: furling of the stars and stripes, we gather around that sacrea standard, where political differences, the very name of whig and democrat, are drowned in the swell ing tide of patriotism. On the other hand, the life of the politican is made up of principles, as well as ac tions., And unfortunately or perhaps fortunately, we all differ in our opinions, of those great princi ples, by which our statesmen are guided. We con tend warmly under the banners of our respective par ties." And the great triumphs our leaders achieve, are oftentimes the mere triumph of a party, and pos terity alone can decide who is the champion of truth. and who the deluded apostle of error. Therefore if in glancing at the incidents which mark the political career of Mr. Polk, we should touch a cord which vibrates discordantly with those emotions which har monize with this solemn occasion, it may be attribu ted to the delicacy of our task, or the strong bias of political friendship. - Mr. Polk belonged to the Jackson school of polit icians. As soon as he entered the halls of Congress, j he took an active part in opposing the administration of John Quincy Adams. His course was firm, steady, and unyielding; his first speech was in favor of the! proposition so to amend the constitution, as to prevent in future the election of President, in any event, de- j volving upon the House of Representatives. This j speech at once attracted the' attention of the nation, j and from this time forward for several years', his his- tory becomes intimately associated with that of the House. He served upon its most important commit- j tees. His name is connected with every important J ground. " In December 1835 Mr. Polk was elevated to the Speaker's chair.' The duties of this position are of j the most responsible and delicate nature. The laws which govern parliamentary proceedings are various and complicated ; and he who administers them must possess a mind active, comprehensive, and firm. The sessions of Congress were stormy ones. The war of debate waxed fierce; Appeal after appeal was made to the speaker. And it is a high, but a just compliment, to say, his decisions were prompt, and uniformly sustained by friendsand opponents. Amidst the auory passions that reigned around, his mind was ; calm and serene. And the laittnul and able discharge of his duties, secured to him the unanimous thanks of the body over which lie presided, in all but one instance, w hich was one of those occasions, on which the spirit of parly usurps the sceptre of courtesy. la 1839, Mr. Polk declined a re-election to Con- j rress. He was then brought forward by his friends as a candidate for Governor of Tennessee, to winch honorable office he was elected. During the same year, or shortly afterwards, he was noraintted by sev eral States a candidate for the chair of the Vice Pres ident. In the two following elections for Governor, he was defeated bv Gov. Jones. Alter which, he retired into Drivate life, where he probably expected to spend the remainder of his days, beloved -by his . . 1 1 1 1 1 . 1 t friends, respected oy an, an nonoraoie memoer ui an honorable profession, with a political reputation suf ficient to satisfy a moderate ambition. But on the 29th day of -May, 1814, Mr. Polk re ceived the nomination of the Democratic convention for President of the United btates. In obedience to this call he came forward in opposition to one of the most distinguished gentlemen America has ever pro duced a man high in the esteem of his friends, and respected for his eminent talents and public services . 1-.- 1 . j : 'fu ...00 Al r by his political aaversartes. iue irsuii, noa PnlU's election. And on the 4th of March, 1815, at the eastern end of the Capitol, in the presence of the two houses of Congress, the judges and high digni taries of the State, the representatives ot loreign Governments, and thousands of his fellow citizens, he took the oaths prescribed to the President of the Republic. He assumed the reins of government at. a criti cal period. Every one foresaw,.that his administra- - . . . I . . T A. 1 tion would be an active ana important one. m we protracted discussions upon the Oregon boundary, lireat Britain oegan 10 assume a wanme auuuue, auu stood upon the verge of open hostilities. The act con summating the admission of Texas into tho Union, brought the armies of Mexico upon our Southern fron tier with threats of invasion. Those great questions which had for years agitated the political world, and shook the foundations of our social fabric, were about to be brorlght to close if not final issue. Each party gathered up its strength, and buckled on its armor for the contest.. For the next four years the office of President would be no sinecure,. He who filled it must be a statesman of extraordinary sagacity a man with a far-seeing -eye and a steady hand. The crisis, one after another, came. 'And the conduct of the President,-to say the least, strengthened thecon fidence of his friends, and raised him in the estima tion of the world. f The performance of great actions with success, either on the moral, physical or political arena, the world looks upon as the best assurance of a great man. And it was not to be forgotten, that under the auspices of Mr. Polk the dispute with England in regard to the Oregon boundary was settled with hon our to our country. The diplomatic talents of our statesmen receive the commendation even of the Eng lish Lords and Commons.; and the clouds of war that hung over the north dissipated by the benign influ ence of peace that promises a long duration. The war with Mexico opened, and was conducted with an energy, a brilliancy and success, without a parallel. Victory after victory covered our armies with imperishable renown. Fortresses, that vied in strength with Gibraltar, were captured. Armies, posted in positions pronounced impregnable gave way before the irresistible daring and energy of the American soldier. City after city surrendered until finally our flag waved in triumph over the proud and ancient city of the Aztecs. Hero after hero appear ed who- illustrated ..the skill and enterprise of the American warrior. Upon the battle fields of Mexi co was developed the high military character of that distinguished soldier, who now presides over the destintes of the Republic. And, side by side, with him fought another gallant officer whose name should not be forgotten in a scene like this. And while our hearts are turned to sorrow, We may weep over the grave of. the lamented Worth. If e was a brave and gallant gentleman, and with his own well . tried blade, carved his way to fortune and to fame. He entered the army a subaltern, where he soon attract ed the attention of his commander, and received the sword and epaulette of an officer; . In the war of 1812 be was en all occasions truo to his duty, and promo tion rapidly followed. The Mexioan war found him a General of brigade. He shared with Gen. Taylor the honor of the capture "of Menterey. - And having joined Gen. Scott's army at Vera Cruz, participated m the danger and glory of that immortal march that opened with the surrender of San Juan D' Ulloa, and closed with the fall of the enemy's capital. An unfading chaplct encircles his brow Chippewa, Niagara, Fort Erie, Monterey, Vera Cruz, Cerro CahL. Puebla. Cherubusco. Chamiltepec, Molino del Rey, and the city of Mexico immortal fields all ( bear witness to the chivalrous heroism of this gallant j?.- . , : . , , .. , ; ; 7- soldier. Fellow citizens; Worth is no moreT He diedwithhia laurels' green upon his brow, not as I j8 e t0 aiPolhe battle field, beneath the shadow of his country's flag ; but far away upon our wild southern frontier, engaged ; in an arduous duty. Pestilence made him her . victim. He died in the arms of-his weeping wife and daughters, whora'he has left inheritors of his fame, and objects of a na tion's sympathy. ;. i . . With Generals like this, the Mexican, war was eminently successful, and stamps President Polk's administration with a fame, almost without a paral lel in. the history of nations. Peace-brought large acquisitions of territory. And the ,world looked on with envy, as the late administration brought under our dominion that rich slope which sweeps from the Rocky Mountains down to the Pacific a country whose wealth, prosperity and.,vast commercial im portance, no human mind can foresee. . ... , During these eventful four years, was also settled, probably finally, those great questions of internal economy, which have fixed the financial policy of the country. Without and 'within the government reap ed success. And how noble and sublime a sight to behold the man who -was the focus -of the power whence emanated all these great events; the Presi dent of twenty millions of free people, met by a foreign enemy abroad, and internal discord at home ; sup ported at times but feebly by men who ranked among his warmest friends ; checked by an opposition cele brated for its talents and untiring energy ; hia body emaciated and worn down by fatigue ; yet there he ions, aay alter day, night atter night, the great engi neer of that mighty machine, the government of this great republic. ' Mr. Polk brought to the administration of affairs, that same energy of character, that same watchword, of onward, slow but sure, which thirty years before had distinguished the youth at the University. "The boy was the father of the man." The mind well disciplined in youth, guided by the lessons of moral virtue, and enriched by experience, was equal to the task of coatrolling those great events, that stamp the era of the late administration. Mr. Polk has estab lished his character as a great statesman. Under a "Divine Benignity" during his administration our country took giant strides in the paths of prosperity. There have been added unto her, all those character istics which dignify and ennoble a nation, wealth, population, rich territory, extended commerce, and military renown. . With a splendid reputation, having stamped his name indelibly upon the age in which he lived, Pres ident Poikpn the fourth of March 1849, in accordance with the beautiful theory of our constitution, descend ed from that high elevation to which his country had raised him. He was once more a private American citizen. On his journey to his home in the West, he and the distinguished Lady who had shared and graced his honors, were Teceived everywhere, with out distinction of party, with cordial respect and at tention. He reached his home. New scenes of happiness spread out before him. He had mingled successfully in the turmoil of life. He had attained the highest honors to which a noble ambition could aspire. Yet, he was comparatively a young man, and life had much to promise. It promised a long repose from successful labors. It promised a digni fied retirement that carries with it the good will and veneration of mankind. It promised a serene old age, crowned with houor3, and the blessings of a free peo ple. But alas! upon the very threshold "of these grateful anticipations, lay the shadow of death ! Disease laid her cold hand upon him. He felt that he approached that unknown country, beyond whose veil alone can penetrate the eyes of faith. And as Earth, with all her empty honors and vain hopes, fadqd from his vision, he leaned upon the arm of Him, who alone could tupport him through " the valley and the shadow, of Death." His Mother, she wlio had cradled his infancy, guided his footseps in youth, and with a mother's pride watched his lofty career, now knelt beside his dying bed ; and as the curtain of eternity was lifted from before his eyes, she breathed a prayer to the King of Kings io receive his spirit ; " Where Seraphs gather'im mortality, j From life's fair tree,' fast by the throne of God." James K. Polk died June 15th,1849. He was en tombed with Masonic ceremonies. He was a mem ber of that ancient and venerable order which has em braced within its brotherhood a Washington, and still embraces many of the wisest the best and no blest of mankind. And his death, as we have wit nessed, has called forth on this occasion, that beau tiful tribute of fraternal sorrow and respect, which is paid by the Masons alike to the rich and the poor, the high and the low, . Thus closes, Fellow Citizens, this book of life. On its pages are written many lessons to instruct, to guide, and to encourage us. "We are taught that he who would reap honors in manhood," must sow the good seed in the spring of life ; that the surest foundation, on which to build an honorable reputa tion, is industry and virtue. We learn the value of self-reliance, and that indomitable energy that moves on, despite all obstacles, to the mark that is set be fore it. We are assured, that he who consecrates a life of labor and virtue to the public service, with an eye single to the glory and honor of his country, wiTI, in this life, meet his reward and be remembered after death by a grateful posterity. We are taught a still more solemn lesson, that howeverexalted the station to which we maji attain, though we sound all the depths and shoals of honor," thegrave "is our heri tage ; and that we should so spend our lives, that when "Death,--lhe great proprietor of all," shall' summon us from earth, we can say, we have served our country and we have served our God.. KOSSUTH AND HIS GENERALS. The following portion of a' letter from Hungary, dated Pesth, July 1st, will be read with interest : ' We no. longer count on the aid of France in,our supreme struggle with despotism. ' When the French Republic is spoken of to Kossuth, he says, with .a smile of pity, 'Let us leave old men to die in peace, and ask not from dotage what we can only expect from youth.' In the mean time, this astonishing man displays an energy of which I can scarcely give you an idea. Despite his precarious state of health, he does prodigies of activity. Seated on a country car, with his wife and child at his side, he crosses the country, calling the people to arms, and commnnica tinr to the whole nation that burning ardour which beams round his immortal face. Sometimes he arrives in the camp of his warriors, where, thanks to the in convenience of every popular war, want of provisions and ammunition drag discouragement in their train. Then he rises on his car and speaks, and, at the de parture of the dictator, the soldiers have forgotten their misery and fatigue : they are full of enthusiasm, and ready to fight and conquer, were it only to give repose to Louis Kossuth and his family. " He is admirably seconded by his lieutenants. Georgey, wounded slightly in the arm'during the last battle, proves that revolutions can only' be accom plished by young and new men. Knowledge and ex perience ever give way before youth, and. in every national "movement the errors of ardour are better than those of calculation.' Dembinski, whose force is scattered along the frontiers, of Gallicia, is trying to draw Paskewitch into the country. You know this general, who gained every rank in the French army. His dream for eighteen years has been, 50,000 men with whom to annihilate the Muscovite empire. His dream is realised, and though afar off my reasoning may seem absurd, if in one battle Dembinski, gains, a victory Hungary is saved, and the Polish generals will enter Gallicia and the kingdom of Poland. "The Russian troops are demoralised. - .The Hun garian war is unpopular in Russia, and, if I were sure my letter would not see the light, I would prove this. Dembinski is a general of Ariosto, to . whom nothing is impossible. Sudden blows fascinate and mrt him. in which he differs from Bern, whose per severance is his principal quality. v Bern may be beaten, but never discouraged or destroyed." ; What constitutes a State 1 ' --.Not high raia'd battlements or labor'd mound," . v . ' . Thick wall or moated gate, Not cities proud, with spire anil turrets crown'd, ' Nor bays and broad arm'd ports, 7 " Where laughing at tho storm, rich navies ride :i . Nor starred nor ftpanglcd courts, . . Where low-brow 1 baseness wafts perfume to pride. . No. Men, high minded men ' . Men who their duties know, v- !' , . -. But know their rights, and knowing, dare maintain." r , Sir William Jones. . The deep sensation which pervades our State, caused by the reeent death of Charles Fisher, is evi dence of the high appreciation with which his char acter, services and talents were regarded.- Associated as have been his services, with the his tory of the State, for the last thirty years, it is alike due .to such services, as well as a tribute to his tal ents and virtues,- that some memorial should be pre served which should truthfully present them to the country, .. . Such is a grateful oblation to departed worth.! Not only is this a duty discharged to the dead, buta moral benefit may result to the living. It acts as an incentive to .others while they admire his services and brilliant career, to emulate his patriotic example. "Oh whp shall lightly say that Fame - .. Is nothing but an empty name,. While in that name there is a charm The nerves to brace, the heart to warm ? When thinking on tho mighty-dcad- The youth shall rouee from slothful bed, And vow with uplift hand and heart, ' " Like him to act a noble part." A record of such services acts directly on others. Sallust informs us that Maxitnus and Scipio, when ever they beheld the marble statues of their illus trious countrymen, were violently excited. "It could not," he said, " be the cold marble that possessed this mighty power. It was the recollection of noble actions which kindled this generous flame in their breasts, only to be quenched, when they also by their actions and virtues had acquired equal reputation." The character of her sons chiefly constitutes the character of a State. They elevate or degrade her. North Carolina, in the death of Charles Fisher, has lost one. of her most enterprising citizens. Rowan county one of her brightest ornaments, society one of its most useful members. An untiring energy of character, a clear and com prehensive intellect, a penetrating and persuasive, if not commanding eloquence; knoweldge, deep and varied, both of men and books, elevated him to high and responsible stations in our Republic : and his pnerits were always equal to his position. J3 a statesman he was patriotic, liberal and un daunted ; as a citizen, he was public spirited, gener ous and active ; as a friend he was devoted, unflinch ing and sincere. To say that he had no faults, would be to say that ho was not a man. Actively engaged, as he often was, by circumstances in the angry conflicts of party, it is not to be disguised that while a warm and sanguiao temperament produces " troops of friends" it also sometimes creates enemies. Mr. Fisher cherished no malice. If he never forgot his friends he forgave his enemies Even those who felt the force of his talents, the energy of his character, the power of his intellect in discussion, when the contest was over, acknowledged the generosity of his temper and the nobleness of his disposition. When the news of his death reached his residence, a public meeting was held on tho melancholy occasion ; many who were politically opposed to him united in it, and one of the mojst .active. in the meeting was a gentleman who was his opponent for Congress in a heated and vio-" lent contest, in 1839. It is a redeeming and noble feature in human char acter not to war against the powerless or the dead. In the heat of contest, 'That stem joy which warriors feci, In finding foeraan worthy of their steel, "' animates us; but the contest once over, the merits and virtues of a generous adversary are appreciated and acknowledged.- This was the case with Charles Fisher. Such men are alike the ornament and de fence of a- State. Their character and memory are its peculiar property, to be cherished like the Roman matron did jier brave sons, as her brightest jewels. If there be some among us who knew well the original, and with whom the excitement of party and personal conflicts are still fresh, this feeble portrait, although truthfully sketched may seem too highly colored, it should be recollected that the most faith ful artist often feels at liberty to hide some minor de fects of countenance, by the light or shade of some bold, prominent and commendable points of feature. Let us cherish the recollection of talents, services and virtues of departed worth, and such faults as are inseparable from our nature, be buried in the grave with the relics of fallen humanity. Charles Fisher was horn in Rowan county, on the 20th October," 1789. His father removed from Shen andoah countyi Virginia, to Rowan county, before the Revolution, and was a sturdy Republican in 1776, and served in the war as a militia officer. -His education was conducted under the care of the Rev. Dr. John Robinson, in Cabarrus county, and finished by the Rev. Dr. McPheeters of Raleigh. It never extended beyond this. He married in April, 1814, Christina Beard, daugh ter of Lewis Beard," of Salisbury, by whom he had several children; three of whom survive a sou and two daughters. His wife died last June, on her re turn from Florida. . s - He studied the Law, and obtained a licence to practice; but such was the demand made on his time by other pursuits he never practiced it to any extent. Doubtless had his exclusive attention been d.evoted to the profession, from his natural quickness of per ception, his ready tact, his strong and comprehensive reason, and laborious research, he would have attain ed the highest eminence. Fortune had marked out for him another career, tor which his elementary knowledge of the Law was an important aid, and here he shone conspicuous. His first appearance in public life was in 1818, as a Senator in the State Legislature from Rowan1. In 1819, on the death of the Hon. George" Mum ford, he was elected as a member of the House of Representatives in Congress, by a majority of 305 votes over Dr. W. Jones. In 1820 he was again re-elected to Congress, for a full term, by a large majority, over Hon. John Long. After serving throughout this Congress, -he retired from the toils and fatigues of its services, to attend to the welfare and happiness of his young and rising family. ' ". - I But the people did not allow him to remain entire ly abstracted from their service. In 1821 he was elected a member of the House of Commons from Rowan county. . ' From this time to 1836, he served in. the House of Commons, almost continuously, as a member either from the county of Rowan or the. borough of Salis bury; a long and unusual period of public service. . In 1831 and-1832, he was chosen Speaker of the House of Commons. Those who served with him, (among whom was the writer of this) recollect, with great satisfaction, the dignity and ease with which he presided over the deliberations of the House, com posed of such men as Gaston, Nash, Henry, Eccles, Hill, .Bragg and others.; i; .. , j The readiness with which he perceived, and the promptness with which he decided, all parliamentary questions, his urbanity anil impartiality, elicited uni versal approbation. . i In 1835, ho, with the late Hon. John Giles, was a delegate from Rowan, in the Convention called - to amend the Constitution of the State. . ; . . .. ; This was an important occasion. This was the first convention that had set in the State after her Independence had been achieved. Important ques-l tions had arisen, conflicting interests were to be re conciled, and great principles discussed. . The people telt wis and sent their ablest men, such as Nathaniel Macon, Wn. Gaston, John Branch, J. J. Daniel, D. L. Swain, , Richard Dobbs Spalght, Jesse . Speight, Samuel Carson, Weld on. N Ld wards, and others, to this Convention, - There . Mr. Fisher's industry, tal ents and acquirements shone conspicuously. ' lbe debates of this body. show-that he took amost active pait in its proceedings. . His views on the freedom of suffrage, religious toleration, and popular rights, were liberal and statesmanlike. He was one of the committee by whom the present constitution as it now exists, was drafted, and was one of the most useful members of the convention. -. In 1839, he was again brought forward as a Can didate for Congress. This campaign will be . long remembered. His principles and his party were in a large minority. 1 he opposition was active, and its candidate (Dr. Pleasant Henderson') was talented and popular. Mr. Fisher was elected by a majority of 183 votes. His majority of 300 votes at Salisbury, among his neighbors and daily associates, proved their appreciation of bis worth as a, man and as a friend. " After serving through this Congress he retired to give his undivided attention to his private concerns, which from his constant and unremitting labors in public Jife, demanded all his enererv and talents. Then he displayed the same qualities in private as he had in public life, and it was soon manifest in his success. But it was not his destiny to be allowed by the people to remain- in retirement. In 1845, while absent from the State, he was nominated by a District Convention, of the Democratic party as a candidate for Congress, in the District then represent ed by Hon. D. M. Barringer. He refused at first, to allow his name to be used; but finally he consent ed much against his wishes, interests, and private matters. He engaged in the canvass, as he did in every thing else, with all his --heart and mind. He addressed his fellow citizens at every place he possi bly could, at great length, and . often twice a day ; sometimes riding more than fifty miles" without rest; and when he could not go, he was active in writing and sending printed addresses to the people. Such were his exertions, such the force and ingenuity of his arguments, that he only lost his election by 27 votes in a District which, when he commenced, was supposed to contain an overwhelming majority against him. This is the only election in which he ever failed before the people; and such was the effect of his efforts that his political opponents did not think the district any longer reliable, and altered it at the next session of the Legislature. " At various times he was ballotted for in the Le- fislature as Senator in Congress. . At one., time, 1829) only a few votes would have elected him. In 1846 he was the unanimous choice of .his party in the State for Governor. He was compelled to de cline it,. on account of his private affairs. He.wrote a letter to the Convention, he being absent from the State, declining for the reason stated, and the Hon. G. W. Caldwell was nominated. He also declined on account of ill health and private affairs, and Mr. Shepard, (James B.,) was chosen by. the Central Committee. . Deeply imbued with the principles of Republican ism, Mr. Fisher was the strong advocate of the rights of the people," against the encroachments of privi lege and power. Well versed in history and in the theory of our Con stitution he" was the firm, undaunted, and unyielding friend of State Rights against Federal encroachment and usurpations. The last effort ever he made in "public, that the writer of this recollects, was last fall on the invitation of the citizens of Catawba County, when he addressed them with the Hon. H. VV. Con ner, Burton "Craige, Esq., and others,' on the true' principles (as he -conceived,) of. the Government. It would swell this sketch far beyond the proper! limits, to discuss, or even allude to the various pub lic .measures that he originated, advocated among the people, in the Legislature, or in Congress; orto make extracts from his various reports, or copy h is various speeches. These belong to some other pen. j When some future Plutarch shall endeavor to pre sent to North Carolina the names, services, and la-1 bours of her sons, he can find ample materials on thg records of the State and nation, to do justice to Mr. Fisher's reputation and talents. If the limits of this sketch would allow, such discussions and ex tracts would be .improper here. In writing this a constant endeavor is made not to stir up the fires of political excitement, now covered by the ashes of the dead. But all of us now 'admit that, in all of Mr. Fisher's efforU, the welfare of his native Stale and county was the chief object. To Rowan County his loss is severe. As one of her Magistrates, or one of her representatives, he was alwas a devoted servant. Her people returned this affection. "They loved him because he first loved them." His last efforts with his pen, were devoted to her welfare and improvement. It may not be improper here "to notice that to but few counties in our State have the councils of the State been more indebted tor able and powerful men to. elevate her fame and character, than to. Rowan county. For some time in 1831, and 1832, she had the. Speakers of both Senate and House of Commons from Rowan Hon. D. F. Caldwell in the Senate and Mr. Fisher in the Commons.. . At another time her delegation comprized these two, united with Hon. Richmond M. Pearson, now on the Supremo Court Bench. . It is doubtful if any other county, at any one- period, sent such a galaxy of usefulness and talents.' Although one of these has departed, his services, example and patriotism remain for her to emulate and cherish. She is worthy of such a son, as he was worthy of such a mother. His fame and his character belong to Rowan County, for he is intimate ly connected with her history. ', ". He died, after an illness of some ten or twelve days, on the 7th May, 1819, in the 60th year of his age," at Hillsborough, Scott County, Mississippi, on his return home, surrounded by kind ' friends and cheered by the consolations of Religion. Although he lies buried far away, his -name and services will be long cherished in North Carolina, his talents admired and his virtues emulated. W. Character adIntegriv.' We have somewhere seen a notice of a Rotterdam thread merchant who had accumulated fifty thousand dollars by his own in dustry, punctuality ,"and integrity ; and it was remark ed of him that he never let a yard bf bad thread go out of his hands, and would never take more than -a reasonable profit. ' By these means he acquired such entire public confidence that his customers would as willingly send a blind man or a child to buy for them as to go themselves.' - . ' We refer to the case not to intimate that we have no such instance among ourselves, but for the purpose of suggesting the great value to any business man of .such a character, and the extending agreeableness to dealers' with him of the confidence he inspires. And we affirm nothing extravagant in'saying that tho cnaracter lor strict integrity acquired is ot as much real worth to its possessor as the pecuniary savings of his industry. Let such a man lose by any misfor tune all his money, he is still a man of capital, of weight, of influence, and is the superior, on ' mere business calculations, of many a -man of large" mon eyed means." '-'- j:' -' ',- ' ' '' But the beauty of the thing is this, -that any man; however small his business and "limited" his capital, has just as good an opportunity of winning confidence as the millionaire. ; Integrity in small things Is even more irapressivethan integrity in great tbingsv : And after all that men may say in praise of the enterprise, skill, .shrewdness, and tact of particular business men; there is one character towards tvhich all minds instinctively render their reverence,- and that is the man who would rather be honest than wealthy, and who prefers integrity to gold. '; ' . - A Xeiv York Dry Goods Reporter. INTERESTING EXTRA CT--DR. DICK; " The following interesting sketch of the celebrated philosopher,' Dr. Dick, of Scotland, we copy from a letter Written by Professor Pliny Miles, oyer the sig nature of "Commanipaw,'? for the Boston Post and. dated "Arbroath, Scotland, July 10, 1849."- The writings of Dr. Dick have,' perhaps,1 effected more good in the world, and contain less of evil, than thoflu of any other modern writer. They wilr bear the test of time, which tries all things. - Prof Miles says r " Durine the time I : have been in this vicinity. and also at my visit to Dundee, I have'1 enjoyed the society of the distinguished Dr. Diet. 7 W e had cor responded for near ten years: and you may suppose I met him with a high degree of pleasure. - The doctor is over seventy, and enjoying a green old age. He is not rich in this world's goods, but be enjoys a small income that serves to support him and his family tu tolerable circumstances. -He has a good library of books, an observatory on the top of bis honss, and he keeps eight or ten telescopes. We examined the moon, in different phases ; saw Jupiter's rings and the four moons, and ' the belts of Saturn. In the village of Port on Craig, on the opposite side of tho river, we could tell the time of day by a clock in an old church tower, though several-miles distant. For terrestrial objects, afar off, he uses his large refracting telescope, with a terrestrial power. One would hard ly suppose, from his unassuming manners and unpre tending mode of life, that he had written scientific and religious works that have gken instruction and pleasure to a larger number of readers than perhaps any living author. - Such I believe is the case. 'With in my own acquaintance, some men of high order of intellect have become -converted to a belief of the immortality of the soul, by reading his Philos ophy of a future State." His " Mental Illumination and Moral Improvement of Mankind" should be trans lated into every language in the. world ; and the " Christian Philosopher" and ' Philosophy of Reli gion" will convey lessons of wisdom to millions of readers longafter the hand that wrote them has mould ered to. dust. The British government gives five or six thousand dollars annually in pensions to literary men whose circumstances are low, but in the wisdom of the rulers, enough like the Hooks, the Blanchards, and the Jcrrolds can be found ; tho ephemera of the day, who are more worthy of pension, because they have- played the courtier, and spent their money in dissipation ! If posthumous fame is worth any thing, then after one or two ages have passed, the record of kings, lords and commons,will exist only " in dull cold marble," " where no mention of them more 6hall be heard ;" while thousands " shall rise up to speak his name,' and call him blessed." His works have had a large circulation in this country, but larger in America, where the masses are more in the habit of sophv &c, 44 Essay on Covetousne3," 44 Celestial Scenery," " Sidereal HeaveH3," 44 The Practical Astronomer," 44 The Solar System," a work on the " Atmosphere," and numerous papers contributed to scientific and re ligious journals. I am not aware that lie is at pres ent engaged in any work that ho intends to publish. In fact I know that ho is not. He has lately suffered severely from one or two attacks of influenza and fe ver ; though now hp is enjfeying a tolerable degree of health. The best editio.i of his entire works hat it published in America is the edition by E. C. & J. Biddlc, of Philadelphia, in nine volumes. The doc- ; tor resides at B rough ty Ferry,a village of some three thousand inhabitants, three miles-below Dundee, on the north side of the river Tay. In person the doc tor i rathersmall ; about" five feet seven inches iu Ireight. His conversation is decidedly Scotch, as ho Is a Scotchman by birth. He is much beloved by his neighbors; goes into-convivial meetings, talks politics, tells stories and listens to them, joins ;tn games with the young ; chucks the pretty girls under the chin, roams abroad in the fields, studying the works of Nature, calculates eclipses, ogles Venus and the moon through his long telescope, and now and then preaches the gospel. He bulongs to that branch of tho Pr-esbyterian church termed 4 Indepen dents." He supports an aged sister and several grand children. Mrs. Dick, his 44 better-half," is a middle aged, agreeable lady. I need not add, that the doc tor's life is a tnost unblemished ono. All who know htm are his friends. He takes much interest in America, and thinks we are destined to ba the leading nation iu the world. He has long desired to go to America, and expected to do so during this summer ; but sickness and declining years hive prevented. Such is Rev. Thomas Dick, LL. D., one of the first philosophical writers of the age, and who has proba bly doue more towards popularizing science, partic ularly the science of astronomy, than any -of his contemporaries. May-he long live toenjny bis well earned fame." Interesting from Oregon. Election vf a Dele gate io Congress The Territorial Government. In telligence up to the 15th instant has been received from Oregon, per United States prdpvller Massachu setts, Commander Wood, which arrived in this har bor on the 20th inst. An election for a delegate to Congress had teen held, and the Hon. R. S. Thurs ton chosen by a majority of seventy votes above all other candidates. '. 0 Gov. Lane has divided the territory into judicul districts, and assigned the judges of their respective circuits. District No. 14 east of the Wilharactteand south ;of the Columbia, to Judge Bryant, district No. 2, west .of the Wilhametto and south of the Col umbia, to Judge Pratt; district No. 3, lying north of the Columbia, no Judge appointed. The courts in Judgo Bryant's district commence in'August,. and those in Judge. Pralt'3 district in September. An election for members to a Territorial " Legislative Council had taken place, but no titno of meeting named. ' ' ' ' Indian difficulties had been rife in the region about Nisqually, and one American had been killed, but every thing isnow. quiet, Gov. Lane having visited that quarter. Capt. Hill, with the company of artille ry under his command, would repair to Nisqually immediately upon the arrival of the Fredonia store ship with army supplies, then daily expected. ' Lieut. Hawkins, of the United States army, is preparing to leave about the 1st of July for Fort Hall, with supplies, to meet the regiment, to arrive over land. , Alta. Calif orniatSth ult. "Model . Criticism. The Yankee Blade, says "the Man at the Corner" in the London Sunday Times has the following notice of a ncw work, recently an nounced: ' . . ' ' . ' ' "review,'' '"' - ' " "' .' ' ".The Autobiography of a Flea. '''Somebody we do not remember who just at present,) London, 1849. "The writer of this autobiography has made his appearance before the public, suddenly and unex pectedly coming npon U3,: as we may say, with a leap.' His work, though it can hardly be called : pleasing, is sutc to create a sensation; and we un hesitatingly pronounce him a person likely to be much sought after. His style is keen, lively and biting, Without being able to dive into, tho secret workings of theiiearts of men, he has knack of touching upon the"bBt3ide of human nature rarely going more t!aan skin deep with considerable smartness. . He" has moved in various societies, and his life has been one of continuous ops and downs, "at times enjoy ing the acquaintance of some of the best blood of our land, at others going literally to thedogai.- 5-t ,-, . - " "His great-fault is-a -tendency to-Jump unceremo niously from oris subject to another ;Indeed, at times he rambles so, and takes such exlrabrdinary flights, ifaaf we should not all ixe surprised at his being severely handled by some : of the -critic when they catch hini-v:.r-,-y f V- .-r ':." Horace Grecly.cTU the. Whig party a loose n4c&' usl aggregation "of independent thinker. w ft it just 'about righk reading. - He has written the following : " Phtloso phy of Religion," ' Christian Philosopher," "Phil osophy of a Future State," " Mental Illumination,' t A. If, r. t; 1 1 1 i 1 ni m iv it! i .1 v. i f i: M ti. ft, if S J i. I V i ill I- ;
The Weekly Standard (Raleigh, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Aug. 29, 1849, edition 1
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