Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-07-09
From the Fayetteville Observer.
COL. ZEBUL0N BAIRD VANCE.

COL. ZEBULON BAIRD VANCE.
MEssRs EDITORS Il very much approve your de-
termination to support for the office of Governor
and COMMANDMENT Chief of the forces of North Car
oiina, Col. Zeb b Vance, of Buncombe. From in
innate acquaintance know he possesses uncommon
gifts and has had abundant opportunities for mprov
ing them
His natural gifts are great quickness of perception,
motherwit and common sense to a remarkable degree,
fine mind great energy and readiness Of resources,
and above all genial disposition and an honest and
kind heart He is selErnade man. He inherited
little more than good library, but that library he
used to great advantage. | first knew him boy of
sixteen, and astonshed at his accurate knowl-
edge OF the English Classics. He finished his edu-
cation at the University OF North Carolina, where
he attained the first distinction in his studies, being
especially eminent in the department of Constitu-
tio1al Law. After leaving College he obtained IL
cense TO practice law and soon had fine practice ut
the bar. He served as member Of the General As
sernhly from Buncombe, and afterwards vacancy
occurring in the Mountain district by the elevation
of Gen. Clingman to the U. S. Senate, Col. Vance
induced to offer himself a candidate 70?
in the House of Representatives, being opposed by
the Hon. w. w. Avery. As Gen. Clingman had
carried the district by about two thousand majority,
and his influence in Colonel Avcry's favor many
thought it the merest folly for Colonel Vance to OPP
pose the manifest sentiment of the people. The re-
suit showed the accuracy Of VanceS Judgment and
his hold on the affections of the mOuntaineers, for
he defeated Avery by over two thousand majority.
And the following year Col David Coleman was
vanqushed by similar majority. The ability
mental resource cloouence humor and presence Of
mind exhibited by Col. Vance in these contests
with powerful champions, have given him high rep
utaton as orator
The course of Col Vance in Congress was emf
ncntly conservative. He labored hard to Stay the
tide of Northern anatcism, and he carefully refrain
cd from language calculated to stir up sectional
c,,l;p R,,t hon tI,a ;ln,,tn
stepped the bounds of the Constitution refused all
efforts by wScst and best men for conciation,
and called for troops from North Carolina to make
on the rights of the South, Vances voice was
for prompt and earnest resistance in arms If Andy
Johnston and Horace Maynard had taken counsel of
Vance, their names would not now be infamous, and
Fast Tennessee would not be a thorE in the side of
the Confederacy
Not content with raising his voice for war, whilst
most Of the prominent politicians were cringing
around Gov. Ellis and Col. Winslow of the Military
Board begging for office, Col Vance volunteered as
a private in the Rough and Ready Guards That
company made him its Captain, and long before the
aforesaid hungry patriots had wormed themselves
into the public crib he was serving his country IN
the hot and unhealthy country near Norfolk. But
Lis merits were not forgotten. lie soon, though
absent at the time elected Colonel Of the Goth rcsi
ment of volunteers, easily defeating, | told, l..
OBJ. Branch. then Colonel of the CommiSsary de-
partment; but it was not many days before Col.
Branch of the Com:nssary department was appoint
ed Colonel of regiment by Gov Clark, and then
by the President Brigadier General and Vance
placed under him!. The duties of these various
stations Col Vance fulfilled to the satisfaction of all
except one two parlizln editorS-;o their salts
faction until it discovered he would oppose their
s,hemcS of making Johnston Governor. Few bet
ter combine the three qualities laid down by Jefferson
necessary to faithful public servant, industry,
capacity, integrity, than Colonel Vance. Few men
have had finer opportunities of learning the duties
of Governor in these trying times He is a states
man and car cOntuc: the affairs of the Camp
Some men, McsSrS. Editors, believe in the stock
OF men, as the stock of horses. | will therefore
mention that no in the State can boast OF
Lroudcr lineage than Col. Vance. His grand father
by his mothers side was Zebulon Baird from W om
he inhcritS his name Col. Baird Was Of the
best citizens of BIncombc, honored and respected
all his dayS-Served for many years a member OF
the General Assembly from Buncombe His grand
father By his fathers side was Col. David Vance,
Revolutionary hero, who fought at Kings Mcun-
tain.