The North-Carolina standard., 1849-08-29
RALEIGH North WEDNESDAY MORNING. AUGUST o.

tions had arisen, conflicting interests were to be
eonciled, and great principles discussed. The people
felt this and sent their ablest men, such Nathanie
Macon, Wn. CASTOR, John Branch, J. ]. Daniel, D
L. Swain, Richard Dobbs Spaight, Jesse Speight
Samuel Carson, Weldon N. Edwards, and others, tc
this Convention. There Mr.. Fishers industry, tai
ents and requirements shone conspicuously. The
debates of this body show that he took active
part in its proceedings. His views 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 il
now exists, was drafted, and was, one of the most
useful members of the convention.
In 1889, 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 The opposition was active, and its
candidate (Dr. Pleasant Henderson, was talented and
popular. Mr.. Fisher was elected by a majority OF
lss votes. His majority of 800 votes at Salisbury,
among his neighbors and daily associates. proved
their appreciation of his worth as man and as a
friend. a
After serving through this Congress he retired to
give his undivided attention to his private concerns,
/ which from his constant and unremitng labors in
public life, demanded all his energy and talents.
Then he displayed the qualities in private as
he had in public life and it manifest in his
success. But it was not his destiny to be allowed
by the people to remain. in retirement. In l945,
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. NJ. Barringer He refused at first,
to allow his 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 every place he posi-
bly, could, at great length, and often twice day /;
sometimes riding than fifty miles without rest;
and when he could not go, he was active in writing
and sending printed addresses TO the people. Such
his exertons, such the force and ingenuity of
his arguments, that he only lost his election by 81
votes in District which, when he commenced, was
him. This is tue only election in which he ever
failed before the people; and such the effect of
his efforts that his political opponents did not think
the district any longer reable and altered it at the
. next session of the Legislature.
| At various times he ballotted for in the Le-
gislature Senator in Congress-. At one, time,
(1s29) only few votes would have elected him.
In 1916 he the unanimous choice of his party
in the State for Governor He was compelled to de-
cline it, of his private affairs. He wrote
letter to the Convention he being absent from the
State, declining for the stated and the Hon.
G. w. Caldwell was nominated. He also declined
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 Con-
stltution he was the frm 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 last fall
on the invitation of the citizens of Caawba County,
/ when he addressed them with the Hon. Fl. w. Con-
ner, Burton Cfaige, Esq, and others, on the true
principles (as he conceived,) of the Government.
1t would swell this sketch far beyond the proper
limits, to discuss allude to the various pub
lie that he originated, advocated among the
people, in the Legislature, in Congress; or to
make extracts from his various reports, copy his
various speeches. These belong to other pen.
When some future Plutarch shall endeavor to pre-
sent to North Carolina the names, services, and la
bours of her sons, he can find ample materials on
the records of the State and nation, do Justice
Mr.. Fishers 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, covered by the ashes of
the dead. But all of US now admit that, in all of
Mr.. Fishers efforts, the welfare of his native State
and county was the chief object
To Rowan County his loss is severe. AS one of
her Magistrates, of her representatives, he was
alwas 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
1t may be improper here to notice. that to but
few counties in State have the councils of the
State been indebted for able and powerful men
to elevate her fame and character, than to Rowan
county.
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 Supreme Court Bench. 1t is doubtful if any
other county, at any period, sent such 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 son, as he
was worthy of such mother His fame and his
character belong Rowan County, for he is intimate
ly connected with her history.
He died, after an illness of some ten or twelve
days, the 7h May. l849 in the Goth year of his
age at Hsborougli, Scott County, Mississippi, on
his return home, surrounded by kind friends and
\ cheered by the consultations of Religion.
| Although he lies buried far away, his and
services will be long cherished in North Carolina,
his talents admired and his virtues emuated. w.
l CHARAcrER AND INrEGRfrY. We have somewhere
seen notice of Rotterdam thread merchant who
had accumulated fifty thousand dollars by his own in.
dustry, punctualty, and integrity and it was remark.
ed of him that he never let yard Of bad thread go
out of his hands, and would never take than a
reasonable profit. BY these means he acquired such
entire public confidence that his customers would as
willingly send blind man or child to buy for them
as to GO themselves.
We refer to the not to intimate that we have
such instance among ourselves but for the purpose
of suggesting the great value to any business nan
of such character, and the extending agreeabeness
to dealers with him of the confidence he inspires
And we affirm nothing extravagant in saying that the
character for strict integrity acquired is of much
real worth to its possessor the pecunary savings
of his industry. Let such man lose by any misfor
tune all his money, he is still of capital, OF
weight, of influence, and is the superior, on mere
business calculations, of many man of large mon.