The North-Carolina standard., 1849-08-29
HON. CHARLES FISHER.

/ Thick wall or moated gate, n -.,s,t =e -~~.
Not cities proud, with spires and turrets crown'd,
Nor bays and broad arm'd ports,
Where laughing at the storm, rich navies ride,
.-. Nor starred nor spangled courts, aslEs
Where lOw.brow'd baseness watts perfume to pride.
No. Men, high minded men,
Men who their duties know, f~-'- S.-
But know their rights andknowng, dare maintain >
$50 . Sir William Jones.
The deep sensation which pervades our State
caused by the recent death of Charles Fisher, is ev
dence of the high appreciation with which his char
acter services, and talents were regarded.
Associated have been his services with the his
tory of the State for the last thirty years, it is alike
due to such services, well tribute to his tai
ents and virtues, that some memorial should be pre-
served which should truthtully present them to the
country. --,->:-
Such is a grateful oblation to departed worth !
Not only is this duty discharged to the Dead but
moral benefit may result to the living. 1t acts as an
incentive to -others-while they admire his services
and brilliant career to emulate his patriotic example.
oh who shall lightly say that Fame
Is nothing but empty name,
While in that name there is a charm
The nerves to brace, the heart to warm?
When thinking on the mighty dead
The youth shall rouse from slothful bed,
And VOW with uplift hand and heart,
Like him to act noble part
record of such services acts directly on others.
Sallust informs us that Maximus and Scipio, when
trous countrymen violently excited. " 1t could
not," he said, "be the cold marble that possessed
this mighty power 1t was the recollection of noble
actions which kindled this generous fame 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 State. They elevate or degrade her.
North Carolina, in the death of Charles Fisher,
has lost one OF her most enterPrsing citizens, Rowan
county one of her brightest ornaments, society one
of its most useful members.
An untiring energy of character, clear and COM
prehenslve intellect, penetrating and persuasive if
not commanding eloquence; knowledge, deep and
varied, both of men and books, elevated him to high
and responsible stations in Republic; and his
merits were always equal to his position.
AS statesman he was patriotic, liberal and un-
daunted; citizen, he public spirited, gener-
Gus and active; friend he was devoted, unfnct-
ing and sincere.
To say that he had no faults, would be to say that
he was not man. Actively engaged, as he often
was, by circumstances in the angry conflicts of party,
is not to be disguised that while and sangGne
temperament produces "troops of friends' it also
sometimes creates enemies. Mr.. Fisher cherished no
malice. If he never forgot his friends he forgave
his enemes- 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, public meeting was
held the melancholy occasion; many who were
politically opposed to him united in it, and of the
most active in the meeting gentleman who
his opponent for Congress in a heated and vio-
lent contest, in 1889.
1t is redeeming and noble feature in human char
acter not to war against the powerless the dead.
In the heat of contest,
THAT stern joy which warriors feel
In finding foeman worthy of their steel, :"
animates us; but the contest once over the merits
and virtues of a generous adversary appreciated
and acknowledged. This the case with Charles
Snnh oolIl- 49, l.
fence of a State. Their character and memory are
its peculiar property, to be cherished like the Roman
matron did her brave sons, as her brightest Jewels
If there be some among who knew well the
original, and with whom the excitement of party and
personal conflicts still fresh, this feeble portrait
although truthfully sketched may seem too highly
colored it should be recoected that the faith
full artist often feels liberty hide minor de-
fects of countenance, by the light shade of some
bold, prominent and commendable points of feature.
Let cherish the recollection of talents services
and virtues of departed worth, and such faults as are
inseparable from nature be buried in the grave
with the relics of fallen humanity.
Charles Fisher was born in Rowan county. on the
both October, 1889. His father removed from Shen-
andoah county, Virginia, to Rowan county, before
the Revolution, and sturdy Republican in I776,
and served in the war 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. 1t
never extended beyond this.
He married in April, 1911, Christina Beard, daugt-
ter of Lewis Beard, of Salisbury, by whom he had
several children three of whom survive-a and
two daughters His wife died last June, on her re-
turn from Florida. -. - ... ......-.
He studied the Law, and obtained a licence to
practice; but such the demand made his time
by other pursuits he never practiced to any extent
Doubtless had his exclusive attention been devoted
to the profession, from his natural quickness of per-
cepon his ready tact, his strong and comprehensive
reason, and laborous research, he would have attain
ed the highest eminence.
Fortune had marked out for him another career, to
which his elementary knowledge of the Law an
important aid, and here he shone conspicuous.
His first appearance in public life was in 1918, as
Senator in the State Legislature from Rowan.
In 1919, on the death of the Hon. George Mum
ford, he elected as member of the House of
Representatives in Congress, by majority of 305
votes over DR.. w. Jones.
In 1920 he again reelected to Congress, for a
full term by large majority, over Hon. John Long.
After serving throughout this Congress, he retired
from the tolls and fatgues of its services, to attend
to the welfare and happiness of his young and rising
family. t--. - g.. .-....r....-... ...-..s- z
But the people did not allow him to remain entire
ly distracted from their service.
In 1921 he was elected member of the House ot
Commons from Rowan county. D. .atE I.
From this time to 1886, he served in the House of
Commons, almost continuously, member either
from the county of Rowan or the. borough of Sails
bury a long and unusual period Of public service.
, In 1881 and 1882, he was chosen Speaker of the
House of Commons Those who served with him,
(among whom the writer of this) recolect, with
great satisfaction the dignity and with which
he presided the deliberations of the House,
posed of such men as CASTOR, Nash, Henry, Eccles,
Hill, Bragg and others. zez ss 1zsaE 60
The readiness with which he perceived, and the
promptness with which he decided all parliamentary
l;o;fo