The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-13

| Roads conference. There are many who
now think that had President Davis lis
| tened more to the views of such men as
Governor Graham that peace might have
been secured sooner. However this may
be, be it said to his honor he was always
subject to the administration. But when
the war was over he did much to concil-
late the people of the South He urged
his fellow citizens to accept the results.
hard as they seemed, with forbearance
and fortitude. After the terrible scene
had closed at Appomattox he wisely
forget the past, to set to work to retrieve
their fortunes, and to stand Loyalty by
the Union.
In 1866 Mr.. Graham was elected to the
United States Senate, but was not per-
mitted to take his seat on account of his
participation in the Civil War.
He was chosen by George Peabody one
of the trustees to administer the great
fund given for the education of Southern
youth The last public duty he was
called upto to perform for his State was
that of a member of the convention of
1875, but he died before the meeting of
the convention. He was for mehy years
trustee of the University of North Caro-
lima and was always deeply interested
in the cause of education; and it is SAID
that he introduced the first bill in the
legislature providing for system of pub
lie schools in the State. He also sent
the first message to the legislature recon-
mending the establishment of asylums for
the insane at Raleigh.
bo = h fho ho, 1ou
line of the states of Maryland and Vir-
GINA was at it's height he was chosen
by the state of Virginia as arbitrator,
while the state of Maryland chose Hon.
jeremiah S. Black; and those two chose
Governor Jenkins, of Georgia, rs umpire.
It was while he was >discharging that
duty that he died at Saratoga, N. Y,
while the board was in session on the
II day of August 1875.
The home life of Mr.. Graham was most
happy. He was married in 1886 to the
daughter Of John Washington, Esq, OF
New Bern. His wife was a woman noted
for her beauty, strong sense and accom-
plishments.. This union was blessed with
ten children, as follows: DR.. Joseph
Graham, Charlotte, N. c.; Capt. Co. E.
Isl ~ ~ <1ltIilCi OlIO. w vi cllio us AAbio-
bcro, N. c.; Maj. seth Regiment n. c., T.
VIM. A. Graham, Capt, Co. N. End N. c..
Cavalry and Mai. and Asst Adj. Gen.
Jno. Robert D. Graham, Washington, D..
c.. Capt. Co d, SIS N. C. l.; DR.. Geo. W.
Graham, Charlotte, N. c.; ex-judge A. w.
Graham, Oxford, N c. Miss Susan Ora
ham, Cnow Mrs. Chief Justice Clark, of
Raleigh;) Ectavine Graham and Eugene
Graham The two last named d,ed in
childhood.
Socially, Mr. Graham was one of the
most pleasing of men.H was OF command
ing presence, being tall, erect and of
patrican features. His dress was neat,
but he was never overdressed. His man
ners were always pleasing. He was a
man of the people and loved TO mingle
with them; and yet, his bearing was al
ways dignified and in keeping with his
station. No man dared to assume an
undue familiarity with him.
His character YVES of the highest type
not only for truth and integrity but fol
rurity and loftiness. His personal habits
were clean. and his entire life was free
from that dissipation which too often
destroys the higher life of public men
particularly while they are in Washington
city or other large capital cities. He
was no office seeker, but so much were
his public services sought by his country
men. that public office was generally
waiting for him, and many offices were
declined by him. ''He lived above the
fog, in public duty and in private think
ing.
Among North Carolina statesmen he
will ever be held one of the very greatest
and among American statesmen he holds
a very high place. He hardly was equal
in ability to Webster, Clay, or Calhoun,
but was in the front rank in the class OF
statesmen just next to them. such Us
Thomas II. Benton, Ben Hill, of Ga, Wm.
II. Seward and Others He was. in the
opinion of The writer, perhaps the great
est man North Carolina has produced
Some others may have excelled him in
particular lines; but, all things consiC-
cred, he probably surpassed any other
man in our history. Had his nature not
been SO well-sounded, his brilliancy might
have shone more. As a lawyer Geo. Z
Badger may have excelled him. Perhaps
CASTOR possessed more of the powers OF
oratory, as Mr. Graham cared little, tol
the arts of rhetoric, though he was ar
accomplished scholar And it may be, at
one time, that Vance had greater influence
with the masses of the people; but as a
great lawyer, wise statesman, successful
diplomat, popular leader, high-minded
christian; in all the qualities which &c
to make up the great man, his equal M,
not been known in North Carolina.
VIM. H. HARRISON.
oxford, N. c.