The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-05-21
He never had a client

His rhetoric would not have passed in the
schools. His diction was not always grammati
cal. lie seemed to care very little for these
matters Language with him as with Nj
7 Calhoun was the mere s'scafolding of thought;
he used 1t for its strength, rather than for Its
| beauties.
| This carelessness was defect in him much
| TO be regretted. There is a moral benefit arising
from the cultivation of accuracy and good taste
t in the use of language, Indeed good taste in
regard to everything we do, is very nearly akin
to good morals. -
His department to the junior members of the
profession was IN accordance with the general
tenor of his life. He was always gracious 10
his demeanor towards them, and gave hem
every encouragement and assistance 10 his power
| in court and out of court. When In dis
charge of his duty, be defeated them in trials,
he did it in such way as to make them feel
that they had done quite handsomely them
selves-but it was the badness of the cause
alone. that led to their defeat. He had, too, an
amiable way of letting compliments to them
that were exceedingly grateful to their wounded
feelings under the sense of their failures. -
1t is just here at this point that my own heart,
touched by the recollection, sends up its offer
ing Of gratitude to his memory, for soothing it
on more than one occasion, when it was aching
In silence under feeling of the utter lack on
my part Of all that was necessary to secure sue
cess in life, and when it was yearning for some
kind, encouraging word.
He was kind mana good lawyer and a
great advocate.
Of his patriotism, shall, in addition to what
have already said, only express the conviction
of my own MUD, that it was ardent, enlightened
and true, and was controlled by principles which,
had they been carried out in the general admin
istration Of our government, would have averted
the calamites now SO sorely feel, and have
conducted US, as people, to the highest attain
ment of national felicity.
AS statesman, the policy he approved was
enlarged and comprehensive No merely SEQ
;ional attachments ever obtained the mastery
over his mind or heart-but partaking largely
of the spirit and views of Mr. Clay, had he been
placed in the national councils, be would have
known no North, no South, no East, no West, but
would have cousecrated all bis faculties to the
best service of his whole country, and would
have leit the impress of his genius and wisdom
on the national, as he has done on the institu-
tions of his own State. North Carolina, Ger.
tainly, owes him large debt Of gratitude, for
what he did for her. as we'll when he was 10 the
private walks of life as when charged with the
uuIleS Oh DlSU OUlcldt SbdtlOU. 10 nl0 more
than any other man, is she indebted for her ex-
listing works of Internal Dprovement-her
benevolent Institutions, and the new impulse
which the cause of Education received when
his star was at the zenith of its elimination
lie was not only possessed Of eminent ability to
originate and direct general plans, but he was
perfect master of details, and saved the State
immense expenditures, by his familiarity with
mere matters of account, aud with mechanical
rules, and civil engineering. He was not to be
deceived by laborers in any department, but,
understanding their business as we'll as they
did, he exercised hrmness, and incurred much
enmity, by wirhstanding their exorbitant
charges, and by exacting The utmost fidelity in
the execution of their contracts. In this
spect, as in some others, he has often reminded
NE OF what is related OF the great Napoleon.
1t is believed by many, who did not know
him well, that be was not possessed of much
Information derived from reading AS to his
acquaintance with books, | am persuaded that
there is prevalent mistake in regard to it.
After became acquainted with him, had
no reason to believe that he was much given to
books, but he must have been at some period Of
his life close, thoughtful and studious general
reader, for he was undoubtedly, far more than
is usual with our profession in the State,
familiar with belle lettres, history and the arts
and sciences. When, or how, he acquired his
knowledge of these things, | am unable to say;
probably, however, while he youth, be-
tore be went to college, and when he was there,
he laid up such treasures by diligent improve
ment Of his golden opportunities, as enabled
him to fiji his future dignities with the accom-
plishments that became them.
With unprecedented facility he could recite,
IL,
Campbell, Burns and other classical and bile
lettres writers, and several of his professional
brethren, now present, will probably never for
get the electrical effect he produced in trial
at Stokes, when defending beautiful woman
by most opposite quotation from one of the
poems Of Savage
He was no pedant, however, and INDUCED no
vain ostentation. He had read
"Multum, sed non mul,a"
Much, but not many books. This deem both
wise 10 him and fortunate for his country. He
was man of original ideas, and was for the
most part controlled by his own aud not by the
views Of others
Had it been otherwise with him, he might
have become as too many are In the present
day,
"Deep versed in books, but shallow in himself"
He was working man. The prominent trait
of his character practical vigor-bu; he had
enough acquired Information. from books,
enough of literary taste and respect for learning,
to rescue his honored name from the list of the
followers Of Omar, and to place it 10 its righitu
association with those of the cultivated, enlight-
ened and liberal gentlemen and statesmen of
the. nineteenth century 10 the great christian
Republic of America II is deeply to be regret
ted, that none of the fine displays of his talents
as a lawyer and statesman remain to US in print