Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-05-17
THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL.
WILMINGTON, N. c., MAY II, 1866


Our Raleigh exchanges bring the sad but
not unexpected intelligence of the death OF that
eminent Carolinian, GEORGE E. BADGER, who died
at his residence in that city on the 18th inst
Since the early part of 1868, when he was stricken
down by paralysis while taking an afternoon walk
to spring near the outskirts of the city of Raleigh
his health has been so enfeebled, that the an
nouncement of mis- death has long been looked
for but notwithstanding this, it will cast gloom
over the whole State, for he was one OF the most
gifted men North Carolina has ever produced.
Air. Badger was native of the city of Newbern,
and was born in the year 1895, and entered pub
lie life as a member of the Legislature from the
borough of Newbern in the year 1916 He was
subsequently a Judge of the Superior Court Sec
1etary of the Navy under President Harrison, and
Senator in Congress. His last political service
was rendered as one of the delegates from the
County of Wake, Gov. Holden and K. P Battle,
Public Treasurer, being his colleagues,) to the
State Convention, which assembled on the goth
Nav, 1861, commonly known as the Secession Con
vention.
Mr.. Badgers career in the Senate marked him
as one of the great men of that body and especial
Iy in the celebrated Kansas debate his speeches
will be remembered as among the finest efforts
rendered American oratory renowned throughout
the world At the breaking out of the war, the
defeat of the Wing party in North Carolina,
having caused his retirement from political lfe
he was devotng himself to the practice of law, his
principle field of operation being the Supreme
Court at Washington, in which tribunal he was one
of the ablest and most successful practitioners.
Mr. Badger, Immediately upon the organization
of. the Convention of 1861, presented an Ordinance
for the separation of North Carolina from the
United States of America, in the shape of De-
claration of independence, ignoring the doctrine
Of secession but based upon the grounds of revo-
luton for causes set forth in the Ordinance. Du-
ring the continuance of the war no stronger bill
of Indictment has ever been framed against the
injustice and ill-treatment of the South by the
North. This Ordinance was however, defeated
by an Ordinance of Secession, offered as substl-
tute by the Hon. Burton Craige of Rowan, by a
vote of y to 40. Mr.. Badger left the Hall on the
defeat of the Ordinance, and was the only delegate
who declined to vote for the Secession Ordinance.
upon its final passage. He subsequently enrolled
his name to the official copy ON parchment which
was subscribed by all the members and placed
among the archives of the State.
Mr.. Badger was possibly more distinguished as a
lawyer and orator than politician, and in pri-
waite life a fine conversational TALENT rich vein
of humor added to a genial kindliness of nature,
and a liberal hospitality, rendered his table and
fre-sde the centre of social attraction.
The citizens of Raleigh held public meeting
on Saturday for the purpose of testifying their
respect for the memory of their distinguished
fellow-citizen. Eulogies were pronounced by
Hon. Chas. Manly, B. F. Moore and B. ". Lassi-
ter, Esqrs. The telegraph announces that his re-
mains were followed to the grave on Sunday by all
immense concourse Of citizens. The people of the
State sympathize in these testimonials to her il
lustriOuS son.