The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-10-30
The Late John M. morehead.

pressive of sorrow for the death of Ex-Gov-
ernor Morehead; and the Hon. Thomas Set
Tie, Solicitor, in presenting the resolutions,
and asking that they be recorded in the
Minutes of the Court, made the following
observations -
May 1T please youq' Honor,-I was directed
by meeting of the Bar held here on ycster-
day to lay before your Honor the resolutions
of that meeting, with the request that they
be spread upon the Minutes of your Honors
Court
Inherited, may it please your Honor, re-
verence and respect for Gov. Morehead, and
trust that l shall be INDUCED while Irecite
a few of the many incidents of his eventful
life. He was born in Pittsylvanla County,
Virginia, on the fourth day of July, 1906
His parents removed to Rockingham County,
North Carolina, when he was two years of
age They were not slow in discovering that
providence had lavished her bounties upon
their child, and although in very moderate
circumstances, they determined to develop
by education his great mental powers.
In those days learn, that it was a rare
thing to meet in Rockingham a man who
had studied Latin, and such thing as a
classical school was unheard of. For the
want of better instructor in 1s10-'11, old
Mr.. Morehead placed his son John with his
neighbor and friend, my father who had
studied Latin and Greek for few months
at CasWell Court House, and had just OBJ
tanned a license to practice law; and there
between the teacher and his solitary student,
commenced a friendship and intimacy which
death alone terminated. He went from my
fathers care to that Of the Rev. DR.. Caldwell,
of Guilford County, where he was prepared
for College. He Joined the senior class and
here at College as we'll as at DR.. Caldwell's
he displayed those same traits of character
which afterwards marked his life. At school
and college he at once marched to the head
of his class, and such was his proficiency in
the languages, that he was taken from the
senior class when half advanced and made
tutor in the University, and at the COM
mencement in 1917, when his class graduated
the faculty awarded him diploma. Shortly
thereafter he commenced the study of law
with the Hon. Archibald D. Murphy, and OBJ
tanned a license to practise In June 1919, and
settled in Wentworth, the County-Seat of
Rockingham, where he soon obtained a full
practice. In 1921, he elected to the
House of Commons from Rockingham, and
shortly thereafter, upon his marriage with
Ann Eliza, the daughter of the late Col.
Robert Lindsay, he removed to Guilford, the
place of his residence until his death. In
1S26-'27, he represented Guilford County in
the House of Commons. From this period
until 1910, he devoted himself to the prac-
tice of his profession, in which he was the ac
knowledged leader in all the courts he atten-
ded.
In 1910 as the Wing candidate for Cover
nor he conducted Il campaign against the
Hon. R. NJ Saunders as the Democratic can
didate, which was marked by great ability
on both sides, and is remembered and spoken
of to this day as a battle of giants. The re-
suit was, his triumphant election. For his
second term he wasopposed by gentleman
of no ordinary ability. the late Louis D. Hen
~, but again. as on all previous and subse-
quent occasions, when a candidate he proved
to be the favorite of the people. Upon the
expiration of his term of office as Governor
he devoted himself to his private affairs, and
only came before the people to plead for
great works Of internal improvement and OBJ
ects of charity and beuevolence, until 1889
when he again represented Guilford in the
House of Commons. 1t was at that session
that realized the fact which l had often
heard from Others, that John NJ. Morehead
was the grearest man that North Carolina
mad ever produced. At that session he and
his plans of internal improvement were made
IN object OF vigorous attack by men of much
lbility For time the attack seemed over
vheIming, and Gov Morehead's friends fear
I'd that he would not be able to repel it
For five DAYS he sat and received it in silence
out when he arose and as he proceeded with
vas struck with amazement. We could
realize the fact that any man posses
led such powers of argument and of elo-
Iuence
His vindication was so complete that even
lis assailants openly acknowledged it.
In 1860 he represensated Guilford in the
Senate, and was one of the Commissioners
rom North Carolina to the Peace Congress
It Washington. He was a member of the
No
aid of him that he never sought office; in
Iced; he seems to have had an aversion to
holding office. suppose that Gov. Morehead
las left but little written material from which
lis history can be gathered; he never spoke
II wrote for display, but always to accom-
,lish some object, and we have only to look
It North Carolina to read his history. We
cad it in her works of Internal Improvement
rom the mountains to the sea- board.
You cannot look at your magnificent in
titutions for the care and protection of your
leaf, dumb, blind and insane without re-
nembering the eloquent efforts of John M.
forehead in their behalf
North Carolina has produced some few
nen who were doubtless the superiors of
aov. Morehead in certain departments
Judge Pearson, Judge Ruffin and Mr.. Badger
we're, suppose, his superiors in legal learn
no. Perhaps others were more accurate in
oiticai information, but taking him all in
II, he was by farthe greatest man that North
;arolina has ever produced. His private life
as well worthy of imitation as his public
fe He was man of the strictest morality. |
Ie took bright view of life, was happy and
ontented himself and tried to make others |
D. I well remember an expression used by
i'm, the last time saw him. The CONVEX
,tion had turned for some time upon the
,oubles which now surround our country,
then Gov. Morehead dismissed the subject
nth the remark, that &c was always great
rovi6ence man. 1 leave all these things to
ruvidence, we'll assured that he will bring
God out of it vet" 1t was doubtless that |
rinciple that made him all that he was.
I now ask your Honor to direct that the
passed by the bar be spread upon
ne Minutes of this Court.