Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-04-20
MERrToRIOUS. MEN.
For tic standard

MEssRs. EpITORs: Whatever may have been the
failings and shortcomings the errors of commission
and omission of the late Legislature many of the
members left behind them flattering evidences of
ability, energy and talent and gave the State
rance of abundance of fitting material from which
future Governors congressman and Senators may
be drawn. The frequenter of the lobbics could not
have failed to observe as among the prominent mem
bers of the Democratic party, who were gaining ad
dtionsl celebrity, Messrs. Ransom, Scales, Badham,
the two Bryans Williams and others. Occasionally,
too, the imposing form of the Speaker would be
seen towering in debate; and he would attract as
much from the impetuosty of his as from the
graceful style of his delivery.
The purpose of this communication however,
was not to mention in details nor to partculariZe
in special manner, the gestae of the young De-
mocracy, who did so much to sustain their own and
the credit of their party but to refer to one who
if he did not occupy conspicuous place among the
notables of that body, owed it to his peculiar
reticence and natural reserve; and who, if he did
not make a show in debate, was fully competent to
accomplish that publicity and popularity, had his
native modesty yielded or he have felt that his duty
led him that way. Reference is had to DR.. Prtch-
ard of Mecklenburg, who deserves at least the i'm
partial tribute here attempted to be paid.
The Dr.. like his brother of Warren, is gentle
man of fine requirements, of excellent natural en-
shall arise, Of attracting all who fond of true
eloquence or beautiful imagery. Your correspon-
dent says this with the confidence because he
once had the opportunity and the pleasure of listen
ing to him upon an occasion which drew him fully
out and upon subject which allowed full play to
his fancy, his historical lore and his knowledge of
belies-etres. 1t on the recurrence of the Goth
of May, previous to which he had been chosen ora
tor to deliver the Grafton of the observanccs
o1rhr that Io, AID L.,
SUCCESSFULLY to brief notice of the few we'll con-
ceived ard happily expressed remarks made by him
short time before the Legislature adjourned, upon
resolution introduced by him relative to monu-
ment commemorative of the signing of the Neck
lenburg Declaration of independence You renem-
Der that resolution had been introduced, the OBJ
ject Of whchvyas to appropriate money towards the
erection of e national.? monument in Irdepen-
dence Square, Philadelphia, marble pile which is
to alarm the squirrels, and amuse the nurses and
children who so much affect the shade of the elms
in that historical grove. In the of his re-
marks, Dr. Pritchard in nearly tots rerbs said that
he thought something should be done meanwhile
to show that We appreciated the extraordinary SER
vices and held in grateful recoections the memory
of our own illustrous dead; chat what was achiev-
ed by the bold hands of the signers of the first
American Declaration of independence, lost NO
lustre, was shorn Of none Of its fair proportions in
comparison WIN any event winch had rendered us
remarkable as people renowned as nation
that it was the first daring overt and controlling
act carrying out to its almost prcdestined conclu
sion the embryo confederacy of 1G43; that while il
was once doubted by Writings, fond of decryng ant
aspersing the Old North State, yet now it had be
come embalmed and consecrated among the mos
truthful and cherished annals Of the past and thu
ignorant buffoon and the vulgar wit had ceased t.
suggest surmise or vaunt doubt; that, therefore
patriotism and every other feeling of State pride, o.
of reverence for our own Fabii and Agustii, woult
prompt US to consecrate in marble or in brass tina
glorious deed of our fathers before our gencrou
legislation should carry away from home to othe
distant and not more hallowed ground"
1t may be proper to remark that DR.. Pritchar,
came as an Independent Democrat to the Legisla
ture, but simply as independent of the convention
nomination in his county, and those who hav
counted, Or who may hereafter count upon sympa
thy from him in their opposition to Democracy
based upon that independence will miss their mari
and their man. But is it not sufficient to say hi
Democracy was endorsed by the Democracy Of Oh
Aeckienburg,? who will endorse him and it again
should be sec fit to offer them his services
VIATOR.
April 2, 1859.