The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-02-23
i FITTING TRIBUTE.

The death OF DIR. John Manning
Professor Of Law at Chapel Hill, caus
ed deep regrets all over North Car
olina. The Chatham Record, pub
lished at Plttsboro where DR.. Manning
rracticed law fer IS years, printed las
week the following fitting tribute tc
his memory;
Although ho Was not born in this
county ana id NOS die here, yet Mr.
Manning hsld resided here so long and
had ilaoll 50 identified with our county
that or countymen regarded him as
one Of them and on every opportunity
were glad to attest their high appra
citation of him. He was born on lie
Both OF July, 1880, at Edenton, and
after graduating at the University OF
North Carolina IN 1850, he studied
law at this place under his kinsman,
john II. iIaughton, Esq, and after
obtaining his law license in June,
1893, he settled here for the practice
OF his profession. He soon obtained
a large and lucrative practice, which
he retained for about thirty-five
years-until he abandoned the prac-
tice oF law.
IN 1896 he was most happily
married to Hiss Louisa J. Hall. of this
place, and few men have been so
blessed and happy in their domestic re-
jatlons as he was. He volunteered at
the outbreak OF the war between the
States and was elected First Lleuten-
ant OF tfe "Chatham Rifles" which
was the fist company from this
county to enlist in the Confederate
army. While holding that position
be was elected in May, 1861, dele
gate from this county to the Secession
Convention: and again in 1875 he was
elected delegate to the State Conyen-
ton. In this last convention he rem
dered most conspicuous service, and
was the permanent chairman OF the
Democratic caucus which met nearly
every night and prepared the business
Tor each succeeding day.
In November. 1870, he was elected
to the list Congress to fill out the un-
expired term Of the notorious John T.
Deweese, who had resigned in order to
escape expulsion. During his short
term In Congress he earned the lasting
gratitude Of every true Southerner by
his manly and eloquent defense of the
oppressed South Ill speech that at
tracted marked attention and excited
the admiration of even bis political
opponents. And he was the first
Southern Representative In Congress
alter the war to raise his voice in behalf
OF his suffering countrymen.
In 1880 he was elected a represen-
tatlye from this county to the Legis-
lature and was chairman of the House
judiciary Committee. He was elected
by that Legislature one of the com
pliers OF The Code, which was adopted
by the next Legislature. In 1881 he
was elected Professor of Law at the
University, which position he filled
most acceptably until his death. He
did not abandon his practice here un-
til several years after his removal to
Chapel Hill. After the death of Hon.
Joseph A. Englehardt Gov Jarvis of
tered Mr.. Manning the vacant office
OF Secretary of State, which he de-
cl1aed, as lie also declined the appoint
AAiSAio vi u Oi ttliS UlSLTlCG J0nOGrGO
him by Coy. Jarvis after the death OF
Judge John Kerr.
Mr.. Manning was one of the noblest
gentlemen whom we have ever known.
and no one knew him more intimately
Or appreciated him more highly than
did this writer. We were his first law
student and for nearly thlrty-fve years
he had been our best friend. There
was nothing that we would not most
gladly have done for him, and it will
eyer be most pleasing and gratifying
thought to remember that he recip-
rocated this feeling. He was a Chris
tan gentleman in the highest sense OF
that term and was as true as man
could be to every trust and in every
relation Of life. Full of wears and
honors-beloved by his friends and ad-
mired by all who knew him-he has
gone to his eternal reward, having
served his God and fellow-men most
faithfully and we doubt not most
acceptably.