The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-11-10
HONORABLE ASA BIGGs.
rFrom the Standard.

MEssRs. EDITORS The name of the
above Gentleman, so familiar to the people
of North Carolina, fromthe prominent and
imrortau. positions he has so long and cred
itsblv filled at Raleigh and Washington
deserves the praise and honor which ire
proachatle fidelity to public trusts should
command 1t is not difficult in these times
of wild hunt after office" to find legions
of aspirants. whose ruling and controlling
passion is, to fill public places; but 1t Is
extremely seldom that the Purest men sue
coed above The wiles of mere politicians.
Happily for North Carolina, her people
live isolated from each other on their farms
free from the baleful influences of cities
and acknowledge no leaders but themselves.
in the expression of their views and sentI-
ments. 1t is not strange then, that such
people, looking to substantial and honest
worth, added to intelligence and undeViat-
ing devotion t" republican principles, should
be<tow upon Col Biggs, their confidence
and highest honors. He was known to
them, by heavy years Of trial in the severest
ordeals; by q loftiness of character that
spurned political corruption; by all those
chief qualities that constitute the man and
the patriot and they felt that in clothing
him with the distinguished prer"gatives of
q national senator, they only rewarded
merit according to its demands.
Col. Biggs first appeared in public IF" in
1885, four years after his admission to the
bar. as member of the Constitutional Con-
ycntion. He was then a young man. just
starting out on the ocean of political adven-
ture. Surrounded by the master spirits of
the commonwealth, he bad every incentive
TO encourage him in his efforts for knowl-
edge, and in an honest and laudable ambi-
ton to attain positions of honor and respon
sibility The seqael will demonstrate how
well he proftted by the examples of his
associate statesmen. and how much lie i'm
proved the rapid hours as they wore away.
In IS4O.a period of great and ovrrwhclm-
ing adversely to his party, Col. Biggs was
elected to the House of Commons. 1t was
then that he evinced that prudence and sa-
gacity so necessary to constitute q safe
legislator. Then it was that he proposed
the wise measure of constr ucting u Railroad
from the m"1mtains to Beaufort Harbor, at
the expense of the State, requiring all
branches to be built by individual enter
prize and capital. Had that statesman-like
project been contaminated. North Carolina
would to day be free from debt, with an
abundant surplus in her treasury. In 1912,
Col. Biggs was reelected to the same body,
and represented Martin county with credit
and distinction. At the election of 1914,
he was sent to tho State Senate, where he
sustained the high character he had won
for his habits of industry and his steadfast
devotion to the interests of the 'Old North
State"
During the Congressional campaign of
1e45, Col. Bicgs was presented by the
Democracy To the people of the Ninth Dis
trict, as candidate for a seat in the House
of Representatives of the United States
The District was then largely hostile to his
party. With but slim prospects of success,
he nevertheless led his gallant little band
through the conflict, to the goal of victory.
The campaign was conducted fairly and
honorably-truth and error battled. and
the scale as it went down, showed that
''truth was mighty and must prevail" While
in the councils of the nation, war was de-
clared between this country and Mexico,
and Col. Biggs true to the impulses of pa
triotism, was found sustaining his country
l. I
Dobbin and Reid were with him, and to-
gether they stood in hearty co operation
and con un ction, i'll maintaining the sacred
rights of our republic, in the struggle with
an insOlent and aggressive foe. His Con-
gressional career was satisfactory to his
friends, and gave him additional promi-
nence before tho people of tho State.
In lo5l, board was appointed to revise
the laws of the State. Distinguished legal
talent was called into requisitiOn. The first
intellects were selected for the laborious
trust-Judge Saunders, Col. Biggs, and b.
I. Moore, Esq. These names were as fami-
liar to the people of the State as household
words, and it was only necessary to name
the board to prove that the work would be
faithfully and ably performed. In 1853 its
lubOrs were resumed, but without the aid
of, Judge Saunders, who was then on the
Superior Court bench. The board pro-
ceeded with caution and close application.
to discharge its irksome duty. and when it
completed its task, itreceived the encomium
OF "well DONE" Col. Biggs possesses to q
rare degree, that legal acumen so requisite
to make a successful practitioner, and is
regarded by those capable of judging. as a
learned and sound jurist.
For the second time, Col. Biggs was re-
turned to the State Senate in 1854 He
participated frequently in the discussions
of that body, ever evincing the deepest SOL
icitude for the adoption of those me assures of
public utility, demanded by the wants of
our citizens. Extravaganza and utopian
projects. found in him stubborn and I'M
comparable opponent. The session was