Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1902-04-24

reside in Goldsboro, and are succeed
ing well at the practice of the law.
[ read all the speeches during the
campaign of 1900 that were made in
presenting Governor Aycock to the
people, and I do not hesitate to say
that the speech of Colonel Isaac F.
Dortch in introducing him to his
home people was the most eloquent
in expression, the most chaste in die
ton, the most elegant in conception,
and the most scholarly in language
of any speech [ read from anybody.
He is a gentleman of culture and
ability and capable of filling any Of
fee, but he is too modest to push
himself for positionamongt the greedy
place hunters Of this generation.
During the whole public career of
Mr.. Dortch, there was never any
taint of corruption, and he could
throw up his hands and say, "Be-
hold, they are Clean" He left his
family a sweeter and better legacy
than any earthly possession could
have been, the legacy of virtuous
achievements and noble deeds, far
richer than sheckles of silver, yea,
than fine gold. He leaves an hon
ored name, brilliant fame, a splen-
did record, aid will go down to his
tory side by side with the names of
the most illustrious and renowned
jurists who have shed imperishable
lustre upon the legal profession in
North Carolina. Before I conclude
this sketch of a man that [ loved,
let me relate an incident in his life
which illustrates what kind of q man
he was, and shines as one of the
brightest stars in the diadem that
| decks and adorns his brow
In 1875 he was candidate for the
constitutional convention. When the
| vote was counted in the Goldsboro
box there was found some irregulari-
ties, a mistake in the spelling of the
name of his competitor. The poll
holders went to his office and told
him by throwing out these votes they
could elect him. He said: "No; the
people have elected my competitor,
and I would not accept a certificate
under such circumstances" How
different was his conduct from the
little fellows who accept offices from
| the hands of election thieves and
ballot-box suffers, and who put on
airs and strut around in their stolen
plumage. This conduct was worthy
of the sages and heroes of antiquity
| when there was no virtue in the
| Commonwealth. 1t was the same
sentiment that thrilled the heart of
Henry Clay when he uttered those
sublime words that will render his
name immortal, "I would rather be
/ right than President" / do not
envy the man who can study the life
and character of such a man as I
have endeavored to portray, "with-
out aspiring to emulate his virtues
and admire the zeal with which he
labored for the public good, the for
titude with which he endured every
private calamity, the lofty disdain
with which helooked down on temp
tations and dangers, the deadly ha-
tired which he bore to bigots and ty-
rants, and the faith which he sc
sternly kept with his country and
| with his fame" The pure and lofty
character of w. T. Dortch, when
contrasted with the vices of these
little politicians, stand forth con-
spicuously, like an s9antique statue
Of spotless marble against stormy
sky.n His heroic spirit could nc
more commingle with theirs than
the sspure lights of heaven and the
unhoIy fires of hell.o He lived in
an atmosphere as far above those
little fellows as did the mythical
whom the poet Moore describes as
livin,
ssIn geld waves of snowy feathered
air,
| Such as the children of the pole
respire
Tn those enchanted lands where life
Is all a spring and north winds never
blow.o
! G. s. WOOTEN.
| La aGrange, N. c., March 20, 1902.
Bobbitt's Chill Pills are the best.
Cost less than any other chill and