The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-11-29

orable position as nominee Tor elector-at-
large rendered him by the Democratic
State convention
Feeling that residence in Raleigh, the
seat OF populous and wealthy county,
would add to his practice without losing
HIN his clients in Franklin, he removed
there in 1864 and built for himself a beau
tifal home in the nortaern segment of the
city The bar of Raleigh has always
been strong, as might be expected from
the magnitude Of the county OF Wake,
and from the sessions Of the Supreme
aud Federal courts being held there.
Chief Justice Chase in 1866 stated that
he had never seen one superior to il in
learning or industry, aud the bar of
1854 was not inferior TO that which re-
ceived and deserved this high compliment.
In addition to Badger, Moore, Miller and
Haywood, already named as practising
in Franklin, there were Patrick III. Win
ston, the elder, John L. Bryan, Sion III.
Rogers, Quentin Busbee, and others.
Ed Graham Haywood, Daniel q. Fowle,
James X. Marriott and others are not
included, as they entered on their irofes-
sional career during TINT year or after
wards.
Mr.. Lewis at once took stand among
the leaders, and secured full share Of
business. His devotion to the interests
of his clients never tagged, and they
uniformly were convinced that If they
failed in the suits, the fault was in their
case, not in their lawyer.
His acceptance Of the nomination by
his party to a seat in the lower House of
the General Assembly of 1S56-'57 was
hardly a deviation from his resolution to
refrain from political life The duties
Of canvass and service in the Assembly
ulu not occupy many weeks, and he was
thereby made more intimately acquaint-
ed with the people of his adopted county,
a signal advantage to a lawyer in many
directions. His reputation as a szrong
and persuasive orator was much inereas-
cd He was elected by large vote, and
was a vigilant and faithful legislator
Like James G. Dobbin, VIM. $. Ashe,
Calvin Graves, Ihos. Bragg, Jesse G.
Shepherd, and others, leaders of his
party, he refused to adhere TO the an
Gent Democratic tenets, that it was in
expedient, if not unl,wful for tbs State
to give financial aid to improving the
means Of communication between the diff
ferent sections.
He voted liberal appropriations to eX-
tend the railroad system beyond the
mountains, and other enterprises of like
nature. And he cordially co-operated
with other broad-minded benefactors IN
giving liberal support So the institutions.
wohse duty it is to care for and restore
to reason the insane, and to train to use
fulness and happiness the deaf, the
dumb and the blind. J1e was afterwards,
for six years under the appointment Of
the General Assembly n director Of the
Asylum for the Insane, and gave to these
unfortunates his deepest sympathy and
efficient aid.
Mr.. Lewis declined to accept a nomi-
ffation for the General Assembly Of 1860
and 1861 He was, however, a keen OBJ
server of the course OF events. Al
though he believed in the legal right Of a
State to sacade from the Union, whcn-
ever in it's opinion - rights under the
constitution were taken away or threat
ened by the deliberate action of the Fed
eral government, yet he held that all ef
forts to bring its authorities to a more
b,st conduct should be adopted, before ~
ercising such right Of secession. He
therefore favored the Peace Congress.
which endeavored to secure an amicabIe
adjustment of the differences between the
North ard the South
When an unofficial conference was held
In Raleigh Of Southern Governors, and
other eminent men, he, by invitation, was
a member, and warmly advised against
hasty action. In his opinion the watch
word watch and wait" should indicate
our policy.
When the General Assembly proposed
70 the people to express, at an election in
February 1861, their approval or disap-
prevail of the call Of convention, and at
the same time elect delegates, who should
take their seats in the event OF ma
jority voting in the affirmative. he favored
the call, and was induced by his party to
come out from his retirement and can
vass the county as a candidate. He did
his duty with his usual industry and
more than his usual earnest and eloquent
speech, because Of the momentous issues
at stake; but the majority of the people
of Wake feared that the convention might
be prematurely hurried by impetuous men
into war, and cast their ballots against
the convention, and naturally against
those who differed from them on this
point.
When in April, after the capture Of
Fort Sumpter, the General Assembly,
without consulting the people, called a
convention to meet on the Goth Of May,
1861 Mr. Lewis magnanimously waived
his claim to a nomination by his party in
order to allow them to put out Q
compromise ticket Of elderly men Of both
parties, to wit: Ex-Governor Bragg, ex-
Governor Manly and George w. Mofde-
cal, the president of the Bank Of North
Carolina, which nevertheless met with
defeat.
When, greatly to Mr.. Lewis sorrow, the
civil war broke out, it was his earnest de-
sire to go at once to the front in defense
Of the South, but the delicate nature Of
his health forbade. He, however, on the
tender Of Governor Ellis, accepted the Of
fiece of Paymaster of the State, with the