Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-07-09
From The Fayetteville Observer
cor, ZERJTLON RAJRD VANCE

IRON the Fayetteville ObseryerJ
COL. ZEBULON BAIRD VANCE.
MEssRs. EDrroRs.-I very much approve your de-
termination to support for the Office of Governor
and COMMANDMENT Chief Of the forces of North Car
DINA, Col. Zeb. B Vance, of Buncombe. From in
innate acquaintance know he possesses uncommon
gifts and has had abundant opportunities for improv-
ing them.>
mother-wit common sense to remarkable degree,
fine mind, great energy and readiness OF resources
and above all genial disposition and an honest and
kind heart He is a selfmade man. He inherited
little than good library but that library he
used to great advantage. I first knew him boy OF
sixteen, and was aston!shed at his accurate know-
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 Consttu-
tioaal Law. After leaving College he obtained IL
cense to practice law, and had fine practice at
the bar He served as member Of the General AS
sembly from Buncombe, and afterwards a vacancy
occurring in the Mountain district by the elevation
of Gen. Clingman to the U. S. Senate, COL Vance
was induced to offer himself candidate 70: seat
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 was in Colonel Averys favor, many
thought it the merest folly for Colonel Vance to OPP
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
vanquished by similar majority Inc aoii''y
mental resource, eloquence, humor and presence VI
mind exhibited by Col. Vance in these contests
with powerful champions, have given him high rep
utation as an orator.
The course of Col. Vance in Congress was emf
nently conservative: He labored hard to stay the
tide of Northern nacism and he carefully refrain
ed from language calculated to stir up sectional
feeling But when the Northern President over
stepped the bounds of the Constitution, refused all
efforts by our wisest and best men for conclaton,
and called for troops from North-C Carolina to make
war on the rights of the South, Vance's voice was
for prompt and earnest resistance in arms. Ii Andy
Johnston and Horace Maynard had taken counsel of
Vance, their names would not now be Infamous, and
East Tennessee would not be thorE in the side of
the Confederacy
Not content with raising his voice for war, whilst
most of the prominent politicians were cringng
around Gov. Ellis and Col Wnslow of the Military
Board begging for office, Col Vance volunteered as
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
his merits were not forgotten He was soon, though
absent at the time elected Colonel of the Goth resi-
ment Of volunteers, easily defeating am told L..
OBJ Branch then Colonel Of the CommiSSary de-
partment; but it was not many days before Col.
Branch of the Comgnissary department was appoint
cd 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 or two partzan editors-to their salts
faction until it was discovered he would oppose their
schemes of making Johnston Governor Few bet
combine the three qualities laid down by Jefferson
as 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. lie is states
nun and car conduc: the affairs Of the Camp.
Some men, McsSrs Editors, believe in the stock
of men. as in the stock of horses. will therefore
mention that no one in the State can boast of a
lrouder lineage than Col. Vance. His grand father
by his mothers side was Zebulon Baird, from whom
he inherits his name. Col Baird was of the
best citizens of Bunconbe honored and respected
all his days-served FOR many years as member OF
= the General Assembly from Bnncombe. His grand
father by his fathers side was Col. David Vance, a
Revolutionary hero, who fought at Kings Mcun-
tain