The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-05-22
TM(E LATTE @WWo BRAGG

Patron and Gleaner.)

/, aristocratic candidate, for he lived in the
only brick house in the whole county Of
Richmond. just at this juncture, the
| General stood up behind him and raised
| up his hands and said, eyes, and these
old yaller hands made all the bricks that
| went into it, and toted them up thar,
| too" The crowd yelled, and the Gov
ernor outwitted, said afterwards that
| he'd given a hundred dollars if he hadn't
| said anything at all about the old brick
house. 20
In 1856 he defeated Hon. John A. Gill
| mer for governor by a majority OF twelve
| thousand and six hundred and twenty
eight.
In 1868 he was elected by the legisla-
| ture as Senator in Congress of the United
States. The late Governor Holden was
at the time seeking to secure the caucus
| nomination Of the party, but Governor
Bragg prevailed. The relations between
| these two men were cordial and friendly,
| but ever after this were cold, and
estranged. Governor Bragg at once took
| high stand III the Senate, and but for
the war would have been one of the
leaders Of the Senate.
When the State withdrew from the
Union, he resigned his seat in the Senate
and returned home. On the death Of
Governor Ellis in June, 1861, Henry T.
Clark became Governor by virtue of his
office of Speaker Of the Senate. He APP
pointed Governor Bragg one of his mill
tary aids, but he resigned this position
after holding it a short time. He did not
think the South would succeed in gaining
her independence, as the North held the
army and navy, and had such prepond-
erance in numbers, and he also feared
that the ardOr Of many Of our people
would weaken when the gunboats
entered our rivers, and our ports
were blockaded, and consequent
suffering and privation ensued.
He also thought the war would
be of long duration, and holly contested;
but he kept his conclusions to himself,
and did oil he could to secure success.
In 1868, Mr.. Davis called him to his
cabinet, by comforting upon him the Of
fee of Attorney General of the Confeder-
ate States. He shortly resigned tins
position, and retired from the Cabinet.
Speculation and criticism prevailed, here
and there, as to the cause of his early
retirement, but Governor Bragg was,
alike. reticent to the curiosity of the IN
different, and to the inquiry of friends.
1t may be we'll to state, even at this late
day, that he was in opposition to the sus-
pension Of the writ of habeas corpus. and
his connection thereby becoming unpleas-
ant, and not wishing at all to circum-
scribe. or obstruct Mr.. Davis manage
ment of the government rendered his re-
signation, and it was promptly accepts
ed; and this is all there. was in 1t. 80
The termination OF the war found him
like many, bereft of all, save shelter
over his head, and large family needing
sustenance. and rainment. He was loath
to resume the practice of law. having
been out Of the practice from 1900 20
1865; said he was rusty and had about
forgotten all the law he ever knew, and
nothing but dependent family could M
duce him to take it up again. Hard
and continuous study soon again saw him
at the head of the profession.
He made a noted speech in the case
of the Hodge brothers, indicted tor muir
der, and tried in Wake Superior court IN
1867. The State was represented by W.
s. Mason, Ed. Graham Haywood, and
Governor Bragg; and the defense by
B. f. Moore, and Phillips and Battle
This speech made for him wide reputa-
ton. - t;''
The great speech of his life was in the
Johnston Will case tried before Judge
Merrimon, in Edenton, in 1867. The
finest array of legal talent appeared in
this case that was ever before witnessed
in any trial in the State. B. +. Moore,
Smith, Heath Gillian, Winston, CONG
land, Pool Thos. Gillian, on one side;
and Bragg, Graham, Vance, w. A. Moore
Eaton, Hinton, and Martin, on the other
side. Moore and Bragg were the leaders
of their respective sides. Governor Bragg
spoke for seven hours, and Judge Merri
mon often stated it was the strongest
speech he ever heard.
The habeas corpus cases in 1870 are
well remembered. The history Of those
perilous times, and the~scenes and incl
dents occasioned, have not been forgot
ten. Those now living. and present in