The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-06-04
lis staff which he held until the close

of the war.
When the sun of the Confederacy
set at Appomattox Mr.. Mason, like
thousands of Others who had staked
their all and lost, resolutely turned
his face to the future to repair his
fortunes. He settled in Northampton
county where he still resides, but for
meriy spending many of his winters
on his Louisiana plantation. He
engaged in agricultural pursuits and
| became and is still successful farmer
While thus engaged he by no means
neglected the study of law or general
literature, but still found time to devote
to theese without neglecting his affairs,
and is one of the best informed men
| in the State.
In 1877 he was admitted to the bal
of Northampton county, not as newly
! fedged licensee of the Supreme Court.
but as a lawyer we'll equipped and
with profound knowledge of consti-
tutional and common law. His prac-
tice began at once TO grow and each
year has seen it increase, but never vet
has any one been heard to speak aught
against him or charge him with taking
an unfair advantage either in or out
of court. He gives the same care and
zeal to the humblest cases as to the
greatest.
Mr.. Mason has never sought Office,
though in every campaign whenever
and wherever his services have been
needed he has ever been found in the
thickest of the fight battling for the
eternal principles of Democracy, and
yet such is his fairness, his honesty
and his universal courtesy that he has
never given one wound to an opponent
nor made a personal enemy by his
hard blows at Republicanism.
So much is he esteemed where he is
best known that in 1884 he received
unsought the Democratic nomination
for State Senator in the third district,
composed of Northampton and BERTHE
counties. He reluctantly accepted and
canvassed the district, and was elected
by handsome majority, representing
the district in the General Assembly
of 1885 with credit to himself and his
constituents. Here again his talents
were at once recognized and he took
a deservedly high stand both by reason
of his eloquence in debate and his Wig
lance and ability in the work of the
session.
Mr.. Mason's innate modesty has al.
ways prevented his seeking positions
of honor and profit his are not the
ways of the demagogue, but of the
wise and patriotic citizen, and while
aiding with all his ability the advance
ment of his people and the state of his
adoption, and taking a deep interest
in their welfare, he unselfshly leaves
the reward to others.
He is man of most gentle and
kindly disposition, yet answering in
| his devotion to truth and unf1inChing
in his determination to deal justly and
without prejudice toward all men and
all interests. He is fearless in the
discharge of his duties, but he believes
not in severity. His high sense Of
honor, his integrity of character, his
requirements, special and general, and
his studious habits, all make him pc
culiarly fitted for the onorous duties
which will devolve upon him in the
position to which he has lately been
placed by the people of the State. He
will know neither friend nor foe, but
will act with judicial impartiality. His
devotion to North Carolina and North
Carolinians is undoubted, for though
born in Virginia, he was mainly edu-
catyd in this State, married here, and
here has lived the greater part of his
manhood and with our people has
been most associated. He is thoroughly
identified with North Carolina, her
people and her interests.
w. w. HALL.
Weldon, N. c., March 80, 81.