Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1885-04-30

world and felt every pulsation that
humanity feels. He saw for the first
time commingling races and varied
nationalities, acting the great drama
of human life on stage that was not
limited by ocean bounds He was
naturally of a receptive mind, and in
a few short months he took in more of
the struggling, pulsating world here
than he had before learned by years
of study. From New York he return
ed to North Carolina in the Spring of
'S4, and remained at his home in Shell
by, till other duties called for him.
When Mr.. Dixon had ..returned to
North Carolina, he became more fa-
vorably impressed with the opportu-
mites and future outlook Of his native
State, and dropped back to his o1gi-
nal purpose to become lawyer and
politician. The great gubernatoriel
campaign was soon to open. 1t was
suggested to him to offer himself a
candidate for the legislature from his
native county. This was bold
scheme for one so young, and SO little
known. Facts compel me to say that
when he started out, he did not have so
votes in Cleveland county. He went
before the people and soon convinced
them what he was and what be repre-
sented. A few speeches told the whole
story. No people were ever more en-
thusiastic over candidate and none
ever prouder of a man Is election. They
esteemed his success their own victory.
Though his opponent was one of the best
men in the county and man of estab-
lished reputation, yet Mr.. Dixon over
wheImingly defeated him in the prima-
ry and at the general election carried
his county by the full 1000 majority.
| This was done by no manipulation or
trick of political machinery, but simply
upon the merit of the candidate made
known to an honest and intelligent
people.
Mr.. Dixon was the youngest
member of the late General Assembly,
yes, the youngest legislator in the
! United States. His work in the Leg
islature speaks for itself. 1t is known
to the whole State. He has established
himself with the best men of the Com
monwealth, not only for his brilliancy
and eloquence, but also for his sound
Judgment. He is aggressive enough to
believe that the world moves, and con-
servative enough to stay clear of dan
gerous and venturesome legislation.
| As member of the Finance Commit
tee in the House, his Judgment has
been appealed to in deciding many Of
i the most important issues of the last
session. In reference to Mr.. Dixon
as man and as an orator, I quote
| from the judicious and gifted pen of
Col. John d. Cameron, who wrote the
following paragraph in a letter to the
Asheville Citizen:
just here I speak of the opposition to Mr..
Thompson because it brought to his feet for
the first time in the House Mr.. Dixon of
/ Cleveland. Mr.. Dixon is a young man,
just turned 81, tall and slendor-he is six
feet, four-thin yisage, narrow face dark
/ eyes, high forehead, suraounted with a full
head of nearly black hair, altogether, a
handsome man, looking the poet as we'll As
the orator. AS the member of the commit
tee who made the report, upon him devolv-
ed the duty of sustaining the report. l had
heard much of Mr.. Dixon. was inclined
to dispariage him. / had classed him with
those who shine with sophomore brIiilancy
I confess my error. He is an orator. He
has brain; he has ideas; he has imaginat
ion; he has language; he has grace, and he
has action; more than all as a taking
speaker, while finished in his elocution,
there is naturalness about him that wins
There is none Of that selfconsciousness o.
superior excellence about him that ofendl
+ by its affectation. Therefore he had tht
House and the galleries with him to an ex
tentsof earnestness and fxedncss haye not
witnessed in my long service.