Wilmington journal., 1874-01-09
from The Raleigh Sentinel,
sketch az the Life and Character 0R
Eon, weldon n. Edwards.

" aFT@H county, lion. " EIDON Ma
TlIANIEr. EDWARDS.
Nr, Edwards was born on the 18th
day OF January, 1873, about two miles
northeast Of CASTOR, IN the county Of
Northampton. His parents were poor
but worthy and deserving. In early
life he removed to Warren county with
which his name afterwards WAS SO hon
orabiy connected
He Was educated at tie W:rranton
Academy, where lie was q fellow stu
dent Of Chief Justice R,lhin. No col
lege welcomed him to its halls ofle2rn-
ing or its classic shades. He 'eaI law
with the venerable John Hall, who was
his benefactor in early life, and to
whom he was always tcndcrly attach
cG. His professional studies were
pursued with diligence and assiduity.
He was licensed in 1910. Little is now
known as to his professional standing,
but Le was, considering the time he had
been at the bar, a well-read lawyer and
an eloquent advocate, and having po-
lite and engaging manners he obtained
an encouraging share of patronage.
He had brilliant prospects before him
at the time nc left the forum, for
| the more quiet pursuits OF the planter,
| notwithstanding the strong colnpeti-
! ton with which he had to contend.
| Like most of the lawyers who were CO.
| temporary with him, he had II good
| deal of esprit de Corps and his as
sociaticns with his brethren were a
delightful companionship. In after
| life his "reminiscences of the bar, es-
pecially its facets, for which no
man had higher relish, were exceed
ingly interesting. have often wished
we had in North Carolina a Campbell
to fill up a gallery of portraits from
the departed members Of our profess
! ion. He would find rich and inviting
materials for legal biography, and
| models of excellence which our Young
men would do well to emulate, and
which are well calculated to nourish in
their bosoms the feelings of au honor
able and elevated ambition. How
! heetlng IS the fame OF au advocate
among us. His most brilliant efforts
! live only i'll the frail rccollections of
tradition. His grecnest laurels soon
fade forever.
In 1911 Mr. Edwards was elected to
the h0ueS Of Commons from Warren
county to fill the vacancy created by
the resignation OF William Miller. who
! had been advanced to the office of
! Governor, and was reelected in 1915.
He WAS probably, at the time OF his
| death, the only surviving member OF
that Legislature. What IN assem-
bly, was that Of 1915: There were
Ruffin, Murphy, Nash, Stanly, Joseph
J. Daniel, Piummer, Branch. Saun-
ders, Brown, the subject OF this
/ sketch, and many other highly re.
/ spectacle members. Warren county
I'd =. -,
: Kemp Piummer. who died in 1926,
and who though not row prominent il
the public eye, was s. man OF genius
wards and Dr.. Joseph II Walker in
the other wing Of the clpitol: ana 1T
: the same time she ha:l tie Governor
/ OF the State, one out Of the Two Sena-
tors in Congress, and tho Eepresenta-
tive from this Congressional District
Orange county, inclHding the town
Of Hillsloro', then entitled 10 Z NOM
ber of the House Of Commons. had Il
splendid delegation. She wore the
cockade. HALIFAX put forth hcr
strength. Caawe}l sent her aEolest lnals.
except 1ancey, WHO thcn grac2d the
National Council, and was ffeluentiv
called by lir. Clay to tLe Speaker :
chair nf TIE House. Newi;crm, with
her John Stanly. the Sheridan of
North Carolina. shone like brilliant
star. The reader mast excuse this
digrr ssion. My heatt clings with fond
affection to these proud memorials
Of the past. Mr.. Edwards commenced
his public career uu,ier favorable
auspices, in "n Gtmospiler2 fragrant
with vItlr and patrictisla, and with
shining lights ani bright examples
before him.
In 1916. a:je.' Macon Wa .p.r: 10 tie
Senate Of the Omitted States, fTy. Ed
wards was elected from las district,
CtnCn composed Il Warren. Granville.
FraEk!ia and Nash carlMticel to tle
House Of Representatives, arsi coptin-
ned "a member of that l0.}y until 1927,
. when he retired from tie hustle of DO
iitical lite to his cherished retreat, there
to emo? the tranquil pursuits OF the
agyicuiturulist. Mr.. Edwards was
young man when lie entered the House
of representatives, then containing
many men q ability AID mature cxpe-
rience- Eo took 10 active part in the
debates and made 40 set speeches. \
young member, and indeed one IloIc
/ advanced, might well be silent III Il
hall which was yet ringing with the
! eloquence Of Clay. Calhoun. Webster,
and Randolph.
.,With moro than rlortai po".ts ctdnr-sd,
: How sh tic, &c .rcd ahose the c1oRd :'
! He was, however, an intelligent, we'll
Informed and useful member, Cf deci-
ded merit, and was much respected at
! Washington by some Of Our eminent
, men, among whom might lie named
Mr.. Crawford, & me,nber of Mr.. Mon
rce's cabinet. Mr.. Macon, Mr., Ran
dolph, Col Benton and NJ. T. 7. Bar
! bour.
During the period Of his services IN
Congress, and on tie 24th of June,
, 1923. he was married to Miss Lucy s.
Norfieet, of the county OF Halifax. with
! whom he lived in unbroken felicity for
I upwards Of fifty years, who rendered
his home agreeable to himself and
friends, and was ever most affection
ate wife, doubling his pleasures and
| his cares dividing
He was a member of the State Sen
ate from 1888 to 1S47, and was elected
Senator from Warren county in 1850
and 1862, during which years lie was
chosen Speaker. While a member OF
the Senate he took an active and deci-
ded part in it's proceedings and de-
bates, and was very prominent AID in
huential. He was an advocate for
! light taxes and economy in public ex-
. penditures, and was cautious in con-
tracing public debt.
He was member Of those able and
venerable bodies, the conventions of
1885 and 1861, and was chosen Presi-
dent Of the latter. In the Convention
Of 1885 he co-opeEated with Macon,
CASTOR, Daniel, Branch, Meares,
Swain, Outlaw and others, in the sup
port of the rights Of conscience and
| the great principles of religious Eber-
ty. His speech on the SD article Of
the old Constitution ia replete with
sound principles, and is a proud monu-
ncit Of his fame. He presided with
dignity over the Convention OF 1861.
| and his valedictory has been much and
1eenrv",l1v admired. As legislator