Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-11-04
s5exgsrIs For. the Standard.
HON. ASA BIGGS. '-''-

so long and creditably filed at Raleigh and WASH
ington, deserves the praise and honor which ire.
proacnble fidelity to public trusts should command.
1t isnot difficult in these times Of "wild hunt alter
Office" to nd egions of asprants, whose ruling ana
controlling passion is, to fill public places; but it is
extremely seldom that the purest men succeed above
the wes Of mere politicians.
Happily for North Carolina her people live isola-
ted from each other on their farms-fee from the
baleful influences of cities and acknowledge no lead.
but themselves in the expression of their views
and sentiments 1t is not strange then, that such
people, looking to substantial and honest worth, ad-
ded to intelligence and undertaking devotion to re-
publican principles should bestow upon Col b'ggs,s
their confidence and highest donors. He was known
to Them by heavy years of trial in the severest or
deals; BY holiness of character that spurned pot-
ica corruption by all those chief qualities that con-
stitute the and the patriot and they felt that in
clothing him with the distinguished prerogatIves OF
national SENATOR they only rewarded merit accord
ing to its demands.
Col B,gg~ first appeared in public life in 1885,
four year at his admission to the bar, as men-
Der of tbs Consti,ut ona Convention. He was then
a young mar, just Stsi ting out on the ocean Of pn-
ltca adventure. Surrounded by the master spirits
Of the commonwealth. he had every incentive t" en-
courage him in his efforts for knowledge and in an
honest and laudable ambition to attain positions of
honor and responsibility. The sequel will demon
s,rate how well he profited by the examples oil his
assoc ate statesmen, and how much he improved the
rapid honrs as they woe away.
In 1870 a period Of great and overwhelming adj
versty to his party, Col Biggs was Il c ed to the
House of Commons. 1t was then that he evinced
that prudence anil Sagacty so necessary to consti-
tute safe legislator. Then it was that he proposed
the wise measure of constructing Railroad from the
mountains to Beaufort Iiarbor, at the expense of the
State, requiring all branches to be built by ndivid-
ual enterprise and capital. Had that statesmanhke
DR., iect b cOnSummated. ,rth Carolina would
today he free from debt, with abundant surplus
in her treasure. In 1912. Col. Biggs reelected
to the same body, and represented Martin County
with credit and distinction. At the eect'o, of le44
he was sent to the State Senate where he sustained
The high character he had won for his habits Of in
du>y and his steadfast devotion to the interests of
the "Old North State"
During the Congressional campaign of 1916, Col.
Biggs presented by the Democracy to the peo-
pie Of the Ninth District. candidate for seat in
the House of r. pres natives If the United States
The District then largely hostile to his party.
With but slim prospects of success he .rtheless
led his galn little band through the CT. to the
goal Of victory. The campaign conducted fairly
and h"norabl y-truh and error bat,lcd, and the
scale it went down. showed that tru h was
mighty and must prevail" While in the councils Of
the nation, war dee a-cd between this country
and Mexico, and l. Big.> true to the impulses Of
patriotism, fnnd sustaining his c"unr, against
enemies. both at home and alb DAD d ,bbn and
Reid with him and together they stood in
hearty operation ard c"njunct IN, IN m ,intainiHg
the sacred rights Of our Republic, in the struggle
with an insoent and aggressive foe. His Congress
snnal satisfactory to his friends and gave
him additional prominence before the people of the
Stat.
In 1851, board was appointed to revise the law
Of the S'ato. Distinguished legal talent called
into rcqu<itinn The first ntel'ccts were sclec:, d
FIR the 'aborinn< 'rISt-Jndye Sannders Col Biggs,
and b. F. Moore. Esq. These n,nes As f,m
lar t" the peo le of the Stare as household words,
and it was only necessary TO name the board to
prove that the wn.k would he faithfully and ably
performed. In 1853 its labors resumed. hut
without the aid Of Judge Saunders who then
on tn" Superior Court bench. The board proceeded
with caution and close application t" discharge its
iksome duty. and when it completed its task. it
crived the enc"mum of "well DONE" Col. B;ggs
possesses to a rare d'grec that legal acumen so
requisite to make successful practitioner and is
garded nv those capable ofjudgng, as learned and
sound jurist.
For the second time, Col Biggs was returned to
the State Senate in 1854. He participated frequent
" in the discussions Of that body evncing the
deepest SOlirtndp for the adoption of those
of public utility. demanded bv the wants of our cit
Zens Extravaganza and utopian projects. found in
him a stubborn and uncOnqnerab'e npponent. The
session was an important one. Two United States
Senators to be elected. In examining the an
tccedents of our public men. no one conll present
more consistent record than Col Riggs. Looking
at his past life ldex of the future, he was
deemed eminentlv worthy by the Legislature of the
Senatorial robes. The General Assembly bit acted
in obedience to the wishes Of the people, in making
him one Of the States representatives at Wash
ingtnn
Since 1856, Col Biggs has occupied the distin-
gni>hed position Of Senator Of the United States
In drliherative body widely famed for talent
dignity, decorum. and everything that can eXa't a
nations pride. he has wisely shaped his conduct,
as to gain an influence which but few can exert
With him one If the chosen guardians os our in
tercss at the Capitol feel that North Carolina
will receive her just deserts under the Government
Ever vgilant and active he never weares al the post
of duty. As hut newly elected Senator, he has
done much to increase his reputation a ready and
expert DICTATOR. His speech on the Naval Reform
Bill was able argument-clear and convincing in
ITS positions, and highly commended by the
press 1t showed that its author possessed vgor
ons mind, and that he was governed bv the sole mo-
tive of promoting the public good. In a rnnning
debate the Minnesota Bill. Senator Biggs shivered
lance with Judge Douglas and others, with an
ability that extortcd praise from his opponents
The evils flowing from irresponsible alien suffrage,
were described in the sober and uhvarnished lam
guag Of TRUTH and time not remote will attest the
correctness of his views Constant and firm in his
line of conduct" he embodies in his character the
true and solid elements Of enlightened statesman
ship.
1t can he said without fear of contradiction, that
Senator Bggs has rendered the Democratic party Of
North Carolina much service any man in its
ranks. At the conventions Of the partv-on the
stump As its NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and at all times,
he has been ready buckle his shield and bright.
en- his SPEAR to contest the victory with the foeman
Such has heen the career of Senator B;egs.
Commencing life under adverse and inau>picions
circumstances, Senator BggS has been em,.hsi caly
the a chit ct Of his fortune" Ry hard dill.
gent ard unremrting labor and Self exerton he has
attained an eminence which but few Of the favored
ever reach. To the young men of the State his ex.
ample offers lesson "f profound instruction Stead.
fast adherence to principle, combined with unAag
ging ard unwavering energy have been the criterja