Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-04-20
Fur the Standard.
MERITORIOUS MEN.

MESSRS EDITORS: W hatever may have been the
failngs and shortcomings, the errors Of commission
members left behind them f1attering evidences Of
ability energy and talent and gave the State ass,l-
rance of abundance of fitting material from which
future Governors, Congressman and Senators may
be drawn. The frequenter of the lobbies could not
have failed to observe as among the prominent men,
bers of the Democratic party, who were gaining ad-
ditional celebrity, Messrs Ransom, Scales, Baham,
the two Bryans Williams and others. Occasionally.
too, the imposing form of the Speaker would be
seen towering in debate; and he would attract Us
much from the impetuosty of his manner as from the
graceful style of his delivery.
The purpose of this communication, however,
was not to mention in details nor to particularize
in special manner, the gestae of the young De-
mocracy, who did so much t. sustain their own and
the credit of their party; but to refer TO one, who
if he did not occupy a conspicuous place among the
notables of that body owed it to his own peculiar
reticence and natural reserve; and who. if he did
not make show in debate, was fully competent to
accomplish that publicity and popularity, had his
native modesty yielded he have felt that his duty
led him that way. Reference is had to DIR. Pritch-
ard, of Meckenburg. who deserves at least the I'M
partial tribute here attempted to he paid.
The Dr., like his brother of Warren, is a gentle
man Of fine requirements of excellent natural en-
dowments and fully capable, whenever the occasion
eloquence or beautiful imagery. Your correspon-
dent says this with the more 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
beeslettres. 1t was on the recurrence of the Goth
Of May, previous to which he had been chosen ora
celebrating that memorable day. And this leads
suggestively to brief notice Of the few well 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 Meek
lenburg Declaration of Independence You remcm-
Der that resolution had been introduced, the OBJ
ject OF which was to appropriate money towards the
erection of a national!t? monument in IntlcDcn-
dence Square, Philadelphia, a marble pile which is
to alarm the squirrels, AMI amusc the nurses and
children who much affect the shade of the clms
in that historical grove In the course Of his re-
marks Dr. Pritchard in nearly tots rerbis said that
''he thought something should be done meanwhile
to show that We appreciated the extraordinary ser.
vices, and held in grateful recollectons the memory
of Our own ilustrious dead; that what was achicv-
ed by the bold hands of the signers of the frs,
American Declaration of independence, lost no
lustre, was shorn Of of its fair proportions in
comparison with any event which had rendered ms
remarkable as people or renowned as a nation
that it was the first daring, overt and controllin.
act carrying out to its almost predestined cOnclu
sion the embryo confederacy of 1913; 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 tn,
ignorant buffoon and the vulgar wit had ceased t,
suggest surmise or vaunt doubt; that, therefore
patriotism and every other feeling Of State pride,
OF reverence for our own Fabii and Agustii. woul,
prompt us to cOnsecrate in marble or in brass tina
glorious deed of our fathers, before our generou
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 Legsl.
ture, but simply as Independent Of the convention
nomination in his county; and those who hav
counted, or who may hereafter count upon symps
thy from him in their opposition to Democracy
based upon that independence, will miss their mar
and their man. But is it not sufficient to say hi
Democracy was endorsed by the Democracy Of Oh
Mecklenburg,! who will endorse him and it agar
should he see fit to offer them his services
VIATOR
April 2, 1859.