The North-Carolina standard., 1850-07-31
GRAFTON.

GRAFTON,
Pronounced at Tarborosgh, North Carolina, ne ssd
AZ NM, 1aso. on the occasion ef laying the Corner
Stone Of the Monument to the memory q LOUIS u
WILSON,
By WILLIAM F. DANCY. Esq.
Fe,1ow CITIZENS have come forward on this
occasion no less in obedience to your commands tnsh
to the promptings of my own heart.
If any have been drawn hither to-day win tne iole
hona of hearing any attempt at oratoricai display or
the no less ambitious language of unmeaning euiogy
then is the expectation vain. In the few simple ana
hurried observations l am about to make, employ
no eloouence but truth, no embelishnent but fact.
~ come to bury Cesar-not to praise him."
wise, vrtuous and patriotic pubic servant aas 3
been taken from us-struck down by the hand OF
DEATH in the midst of his usefulness and in the very
harness of his public labor. When such man oles'
it is meet that those whom he has served s''oo ~
honor to his memory. 1t is meet that 'nose w"1
have enjoyed the fruits of his WISDOM anu s.d,eu
the bene6ts of his counsels, should record them iof
,he benetit Of the generation which succeeds. 10 un
fold the examples and display the virtues OF '"oSe
who have acted we'll their part in the great drama OF
life. is matter of solemn duty. 1t springs rom
.antiment honorable to the human heart. IL SUM!
la,es the Young to acts of generous emulation ana H.
valrv and encourages them to the performance "
similar deeds Of usefulness and honor.
Ton;s Dicken Wilson was born In the county oi
Edeecombe, on the 18th May, 1879: The era OF ms
birth was an eventful one in our history: Inc At
ticles of Confederation which had feeoy oanoea .ne
States together during the progress OF seven years
war had lust given place to more hrm ana comPac'
union under the new Constitution. The new Gov-
eminent had lust gone into operation. What Is now
well developed practical reality: was tnen an un.
tried and doubtful experiment. Inc country "o' y
,.covered from the effects of an exhausting wal,
war in which her energies had been taxed to the Ut
most, lay painting and prostrate In the new ana 'nen
unsettled condition of things, the means OF oe'ai
education were within the reach OF lew. rn'd'e
fortunes were rare and the schoolmaster had not ye
gone abroad upon his mission OF oeneVoience a',o
1--we. With such advantages however as that inlet
tered era afforded. We find young wilson, al 'ne
of eiqhteen, an occupant of counting mouse IN
Washington. North Carolina. Habits OF industry
perseverance, and punctuaty in the discharge o' MS
duties, here formed, early won the regard OF MS e
nlover-habits which adhered to him IN alter nte,
and the constant exercise of which made him what
he was in an eminent degree, thoroughly pracuSa'
and usef,l man. twas here too he laid the founda-
ton of that remarkable knowledge OF accounts wn'c
he possessed, and which rendered his services 'n7a
uable in every public position he was afterwards CALL
ed to 6ll.
His apprenticeship ended, he returns to Edgecombe
and commences the business of merchant IN this
place-which was successfully prosecuted Tor many
years. n,o
In 1915, he was elected 10 represent the people
Ed0eCOmOe
Assembly. This was the commencement oil MS
public career. The period of his entrance into pub
lie life was well calculated to heghen his IDEAS OF
the profession in which he had embarked. 1t was
an era of uncommon bitterness OF feellng-a bitter
ness engendered by the then existing war; and "hen
invaded even the sanctuary of the social circle AS
in the late war with Mexico, parties were hercey ar
ayed against each other upon its general mets poll
cv and Dropriefy. The conduct of the President was
assailed, in no measured terms. Upon resolution
introduced into the House of Commons approving
the war and pledgng the cooperation of the State In
its maintenance an angry and protraced debate arose.
His republican instincts naturally arrayed HIM on the
side of the country, and to this resolution he gave
warm and decided support; and together with Bed
ford Brown and others. who have since become prom
inent in North Carolina politics, was mainly ns'In
mental in securing its passage From this period to
the day of his death, with only an occasional inter-
rup,ion he continued to represent the people OF Edge
combe, either in the upper or lover House OF Inc
Legislature.
In 1924, he was foz the first time elected member
Of the Senate.
In 1895 he was chosen a member Of the Conven-
ton called to amend the Constitution Of the State.
In lS42, the only time his party had held the as
cendancy since the amendment of the Constitution.
he was elected Speaker of the Senate. and BY virtue
Of his Office, Lieut.. Governor Of the State
Enjoying as he did in high degree the confidence
of the party with which he acted, he was repeatedly
placed upon its Electoral Ticket for President and
Vice President.
During the whole period Of thirtv years, in which
he was engaged in tho public service, no man exer-
esed larger or more extended influence in the coun-
y Of Edgecombe, none shared largely in the pop
uar confidence and regardand to the day of his death
30 potent was the sway he welded, so strong was
his hold upon the affections of those he served, that
no amount Of talent worth howeser great, 1t Is be-
lieved, could have awaited against him. The uniform
snd ardent support he received the grateful re-
turn of confding constituency for services faithful
ly and efficiently rendered. The history of public
men affords few examples of devotion more true, of
popularity more asting-a popularity not run AFTER
but that which followed his good deeds-a popular
ty the result Of noble ends by noble means
His career a representative Of the people was
rssher distinguished by high and infexibe devotion
principle, than any dazzling display Of intellectual
power. Principle-eternal principle was the polar
star Of his political guidance. With the evervarying
and ever-veering opinions of men, he held no faith.
. While men change, principles are immutable. A
consan, recognition Of this truth Influenced his opin-
ions, controlled his Judgment and gave tone to
his political conduct. TRUTH in the investigation Of
public measures, the object of his anxious search
and .diligent inquiry. This attained. from it there
was neither variableness nor shadow of turning.
Accordingly, few public men in North Carolina were
consistent in their course-few could look back
upon long public career with more pride and self
satisfaction.
It was the saying of Sir Robert Walpole, dstin-
Rushed politician in the reign Of Queen Anne. that
"every man has his price," This remark, based
npon profound knowledge of the human heart, has
Loaf Of ts force by time; and the history Of our
own day affords many melancholy examples of its
truth. In the ever-occuring conflicts of interest and
ambition, the mmutable principles Of truth and jus.
ice overlooked and disregarded when they stand
in the way Of selfish aims and personal aggandize-
ment. The people lost sight of in the struggle
for power and place, and their interests, instead Of
being paramount, become subordinate to the end in
view. Politics becomes trade, and the most vital
public concerns are articles of traffic among contend