Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-01-20
From the Goldsborough Tribune.
HON. DAYID@S. REID.

4 HON. DAYIDG., REID. a
MEssRs. EDrroRs Few public men in North Car
DINA have arisen SO rapidly TO honor and distlnc'
ton, asthe gentleman whose name heads this article
Honest ard sterling merit both personal and politi
cal, could only have won for him such unbounded
confidence in the hearts of the people, and have
cured for him their highest mark OF appreciation
and favor. Those who know Gov. Reid intimately.
will certainly evnce surprise at his success tor
he SO nobly and beautifully embodes in his charac-
ter the plain and unostentatous principles ola Dem
ocrat, that to reward him ''abor oflove" Fa.r
vors and honors come not to him sought purchas-
ed by cunning intrigues or annoying opportunities,
but BY the free action and uninfuenced will Of his
party. If that party has been profuse in its re
wards, the merits of the recipient have been great
and deserving
purpose to trace as ccncisely as the subject will
admit, the events that have so far marked the po-
ltical life of Gov Reid. Every Moth Carolinan
should feel interested in the of her public men,
for their acts constitute the chapters in national
history, by which we are to be judged by coming
alone not to other considerations will be suf-
cient to claim for this article the attention of your
numerous readers. ..-...4..- -.
Gov. Reid first appeared in public life in 1885,
under the old constitution, as a State Senator from
his native county Of Rockingham. After the adop-
ton of the new constitution, he was reelected the
succeeding year, to the same position. In 1888 and
1910, he was returned to the same body. The con-
tinued support Of his constituents conclusvely at
tested the confidence they reposed in him. His SER
vices in the senatorial branch of the Legislature
were important to those whom he represented, and
of such liberal and just character, as to embrace
cautious watchfulness the interests of the whole
State. As devoted son of the Old North State, he
knew that she had claims upon him of her
legislators, which narrow geographical lines ought
circumscrbe, and hence he labored diligently for
her good, her honor and her prosperity.
Dr. Al ~F
Representatives of the United States The next
Congressional campaign opened in 1S45, and Gov.
Reid rriumphed again. Then he was surrounded
by Messrs. Bggs and Dobbin, as his prominent COL
leauges in maintaining the wisdom and sound policy
of MIR. Folks administration. The period was one
ing. The administration had open and avowed enc
mics, who were ever ready to throw obstacles and
difficulties in the way Of speedy and satisfactory
settlement of all great questions Gov. Reid was
equal to his duty and was found aboring assiduous-
ly in behalf of Mr.. Polk, and the conservative party
of which he as President was the recognized head
ard representative The country was imperied by
dangers that required abe counses to point out the
way by which they might be escaped, without i'm
pairing compromising our national honor Gov.
Reid manfully sustained the Administration through
out his second term guarded the rights of his Dis
trict with inaexibe fidelity, and SO wisely shaped
his conduct as to acquire large degree of influence
in the House. His record affords the surest index
of his devotion to those orthodox principles which
have sgnally advanced the material greatness of
the Republic.
The Gubernatorial Conventions of the Democratic
and whig parties, met in 184S to select their respec
tive standard bearers-The Wings had for many
years deed the mos: determined efforts of their oppo-
nents for the redemption of the State. Uninterrupted
had followed the struggles of such leaders
as Badger and Mangum, Graham and Morehead,
Shepard and Miller, Rayner and Sanly, long that
hope seemed to hold out no promise of Democratic
asccndency. With an unbroken chain of victories,
extending many years back in favor of whig men
and measures. Gov. Reid commenced the unequal
contest, with hearty purpose of conqucring here
tofore invincible legions Gov. Manly instead of
s Of % on1 o5sns ec
ton by the paltry majority of q few hundred. To
pardon slight depression, the fact has been incon-
testaby demonstrated, that Gov. Reid is stronger
than his party; for Immediately after his defeat in
ls4e, by seven hundred votes, Gen. Taylor carried
the State by over eight thousand majority, and in
1852, Gov. Reid was elected by five thousand MAORI
ty, while Gen. Pierce fell short of thousand. But
to return to the point Seeing that Gov. Reid was
available man, and one emnently fitted for the
Office Ex-Governor, The Democratic party again in
1850 placed him before the people for their surages
He vanquished the adversary. The victory was
brilliant and complete, and the star of whiggerY
went down below the political horizon leaving no soil
solitary ray to mark its proud place in the empy
ream. In 1852 he was reelected Governor, by
largely increased majority. 1t was during these
duous campaigns, that Gov. Reid so earnestly es-
poused the great doctrine of equal Suffrage doc
trne of which he was the author.-Snce 1885, that
monstrous feature of political inequality remained in
our constitution which excluded those not owning
freehold of fifty of land from voting for Senator
His efforts in having this wrong expunged from the
organic law have endeared him to those whose rights
have now been so fully obtained Gov. Reds ad-
ministraton of the State government for two terms
gave the utmost satisfaction to his party and the
unprecedented people of our beloved old common
wealth.
During the session of the Legislature in 1854, Gov
Reid was elected United States Senator for four
years. This was an honor well merited, and justly
due to him from the Democratic party. Since his
appearance in the Senate he has attenvely watched
the interests of his State and modestly his
honors, to command the respect of and acquire .
political influence in that august assembly. Unac-
customed the practice of induging in the idle and
Improbable discussion of every minor subject that
comes before the Senate; yet whenever the rights
of his section the interests Of his Constituents are
at stake he never fails to raise his voice in their
defence His clear understanding and practical
manner of speaking, make him public agent Of adj
mitted usefulness. Truthfully it be said, that
he possesses the substantial elements of enlightened
craftsmanship.
My humble sketch of Gov. Reid, is now finished
Te every North Carolinian, from the mountains Of
Cherokee the eaboard of Currituck, his services
and his name are favorably known. Both too will
ever be appreciated. When the starless night Of
disaster hung ominously around our little band,
he come to the rescue, and with vallor and indom-
liable determination like that which armed the iron
arm of Coeur de Lion to conquer his enemies, Gov.
Reid succeeded in snatching victory from the jaws
of defeat. Gratitude is a commendablc trait in the
human character, and parties also should acknow.
ledge its influences True to his frends-graceful
and progressing in his manners-steadfast in his at
tachment to his principles and eminently influential
as Senator, he deserves long continuance in the
position he now holds with such distinguished cred
it to himself and to our State.