Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1852-07-15
VOL. XLVI. NO. 3d.. WHOLE NO. 1887.

upon the wounds on his fathers face, re-
ceived IN the battles of Independence, anc
listen at the fireside to the legends of tho
Revolution, he had more Than ordinary in.
centive TO take part in public affairs Hc
was elected a member of the lower branch
OF the Legislature Of the State of North
Carnlina ia 1898, and was continued by
successive elections, down TO 1910. AT
the session of 1893, he was chosen the
Speaker of the Lower House, the duties OF
which Office he discharged with great abli-
ty and impartaliiy, in which station he re-
manned till 1910, when he was promoted to
the Senate Of the U. States.
During the seven years be was a member
OF the Legislature of North Carolina he
acted conspicuous part. The considera-
ton of questions of currency aud finance,
arising out OF the expiration of the charters
Of the first Banks Of the State, the adoption
of system of internal improvements ade-
quaie TO lis wants and exigences the call
ing OF convention TO revise the constitu-
ton, with view, principally, to equaize
representation a revision of the whole
body OF the local statute laws the establish
ment of system of common schools. with
many other subjects of great importance.
came under the consideration of the Gem
eral Assembly Of the State during that Pc
rod. On all these subjects he was regard
ed by all parties as one of the abest aud
most influential members, and rendered es-
senllal service, as Is now being both seen
and fei, III the Improvement Of the State
aud the adoption Of the policy which he en-
forced aud advocated with so much ability
and enlarged patriotism A decided Wing
in political opinion, he deprecated the too
frequent Introduction of Federal politics
into the Legislature, to the neglect of its
appropriate functions. At the session of
1854, when resolutions were introduced to
! instruct Mr.Mangum to vote for expunging
the journal Of the Senate, Mr. Graham
greatly distinguished himself BY speech in
opposition to them, which was much adj
mlred aud commended for the eminent abil-
/ ty aud soundness of its views, and the great
constitutional learning which it eyinced. -
Taking his seat IN the Senate of the United
States ia December, 1910, the Youngest
member of that body, IN which we're CLAY.
/ Webster, Calhoun Wright, aud others, Mr.
Graham deferred to the superior age of his
associates, and participated but little in lis
general discussions. We find however. in
the reports OF that day, speech by him on
ihe financial policy of the administration of
Mr.. an Buren,, and another in favor of the
bill directing the several States to be divid-
ed INTO districts for the election of mem
bers OF The House of Representatives. both
OF which are highly creditable aud able ex-
hbluons of Parliamentary reasoning, and
replete with sound conservative Wing SEN
tlmenis. Having much experience as a
presiding officer, he filled the chair of the
Senate, as the substitute of Mr. Southland,
the President, (,hen in his last illpess } dur
ing a considerable part of the Session of
lcil, with great acceptablity to that body
Occupying the laborlous post of Chairman
OF the Committee of Claims of the 9th
Congress, he participated but little in the
general debates; but he had the entire con-
fdence and respect Of the Senate in the
business committed to his charge, and
Governor Wright of New York, aud Judge
Woodbury., of ew-Iiampshre, who served
under him on that committee, took occa-
sion, after his retirement from the Senate,
to refer to his decisions, and publicly TO at
test their confidence N his ability and i'm
parlialhy. The Democratic party having
elected a majority of members TO the Legis-
lature of North Carolina in 1912, for the
first time in many years, Mr. Graham was
not reelected, and retired from the Senate
of the United States on the 18th of March,
1913. Resumlng the practice of law with
has usual energy aud eminent success, he
had but renewed his relations with his old
friends aud clients, when, 10 redeem the
State from Democratic rule aud ascenden-
cy, and TO aid IN securing her vote for Mr.
Clay, he was prevailed upon to accept the
nomination for the Office of Governor of
the State. In lS4I he was elected the
Chief Magistrate of North Carolina by a
very large majority of the votes of the peo-
pie, aud was reelected TO the same office
in 1916, from which he retired on the first
of January, 1919, being no longer consti-
tlonally eligible. Reforming again to his
profession, he was, IN few months there
alter, offered by President Taylor the mis-
sion to Spain, which, for reasons of do
mesllc and personal nature, he promptly
declined. After tie death of Gen Taylor
he was appointed by President Fillmore,
who was member of the House of Repre-
sentatves during Mr. Graham's services in
the Senate, head of the Navy Department
station which he has occupied for two
years, with great usefulness aud eminent
ability, aud advantage to the country, and
much honor and credit TO himself At the
late Wing National Convention which as,
sembled at Baltimore on the 10Th instant
Mr. Graham was nominated, with almost
unexampled unanimity, the candidate Of
tina, great party for the Vice Presidency OF
the United States. A purer man, nobler
statesman, more honest and devoted pat
riot, could not have been selected TO fill the
second great office of our Government
and such the people of the United States
will find him to be, the more they inquire
and become acquainted with him. At the
South, where he is best known, his name
is tower of strength to his party, and eve
/ rywhere throughout this broad Union,
where virtue, honesty, ability, fidelity aud
devoted patriotism are appreciated and es'
leeme6, will he be honored, beloved and re-
specied. as his pure and spotless life. aud
eminent worth and ability are made famil'
lar TO his admiring and discerning country
men.-Phitadelphia North American.
| The TELEGRAPH. Seven wears ago, Prof