The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-07-19
THE WIG CANDIDATE FOR THE
VICE-PRESIDENCY

The following, which we take from the Philadel.
phia North American, was written by gentleman
now in the House Of Representatives, who was
Mr. Graham's classmate in college, and formerly
served with him in the State Legislature. Ii may
be relied upon as perfectly authentic, and both in
style and sentiment is worthy tribute to one of the
worthiest Wings in the Union.-yN. Y. Courier.
The Secretary of the Navy and the nominee of
the Wing party for the Vice Presidency, is native
of Lincoln county in North Carolina, and was born
in the year 1904. His father, the late General
Joseph Graham, was born in the county Of Chester,
in the State Of Pennsylvania, in the year 1859, of
parents who had emigrated from the North Of Ire.
land, though of Scottish orig Tin; thence, by the
moval Of widowed mother, he was transferred in
early childhood to the vicinity of Charlotte, in the
county of Mecklenburg, North Carolina. Here
he grew 10 mans estate, and received such educa-
ton us the country could then Afford at an academy
in Charlotte, called Queens College. He was there
the associate of Jackson, Adar, and many others,
who subsequently became distinguished in the his
tory of the country.
When youth about fifteen years of age, he
was present at the famous "Declaraion of Indepen-
dence," on the Goth Of May, IT'S, by the people
Of Mecklenburg; and late in life furnished his es-
tmony in relation to that event, when its anthem
ITCHY was called in question: and this certificate
will be found appended to the published accounts
of that remarkable occurrence, so honorable to the
patriotism and valor of the people Of that county
airy army at an carly age, and served several cam
paigns in the Carolinas ard Georgia, in which he
rose to the rank of major of cavalry. In a sharp
action on the occasion, of the entrance of the Bri
tsh army under Lord CORVALLIS into Charlotte
in September, 1850, Major Graham, commanding
a corps Of cavalry under Col. Davis was cut down
wounded, and left for dead, short distance from
that village. Recovering from his wounds, he par.
Gcipated actively in the campaign of 1884, and con-
tnued in the service until the end of the war.
After its close he filled many important public
trusts, and was for many years member of the
State legislature, and of both Of the conventions
which deliberated in the adoption of the Federal
Constitution by North Carolina. In the war OF
1912, holding the appointment Of brigader gen.
eral of militia, he volunteered his services, and
commanded brigade called out from North and
South Carolina against the Creek Indians, and
joined the army of General Jackson soon after tho
battle Of the Horse Shoe, in ,mo to receive the
submissi IN of that powerful tribe. He died, in
1886, al the advanced age OF seventy-seven years,
beloved, honored and respected by the people of
the good old Wing State of North Carolina.
William Alexander Graham, his youngest son.
was educated in his native state. After the usual
course of preparatory instructions, he entered the
University Of North Carolina, and was graduated
with the highest distinction in d class of unusual
merit. His professional studies in preparation for
the bar were pursued in the office of the Hon
Thomas Ruffp, the present Chief Justice Of the
Supreme Court of that State, and of the ablest
lawyers Of America. He commenced the practice
Of the law thoroughly prepared, and fixing his
idence at Hilsborough, in Orange county, soon at
tanned the highest distinction in his profession, and
eminently successful as advocate. Mr..
Graham always had right appreciation of the
character of his profession and its noble aims.
Pure IN heart himself, benevolent in disposition,
and generous in all his impulses, he early became
the friend of the poor and unfortunate.
The oppressor and wrong doer found no advocate
in him bot he always ready to give his aid TO
the widow and orphan, without fee or reward, and
his hnpplest efforts IN his profession was made in
their cause In HIM are happily blended the graces
Of the Christian gentleman and the virtues of the
pure and upright man. All who know him love
him for these qualities of the heart which eminent
Iy distinguish him, and which obviously manifest
themselves, even upon slight acquaintance. Ac-
customed frnm earliest recollection to look upon
the wounds OF his fathers face received in the bat
ties Of independence, and TO listen nj the frrstde
to the legends of the Revolution, he had more than
ordinary incentives to take part in public affairs.
He was elected member OF the lower branch of