The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-08-14
Leads all North Carolina Dailies i'm News and Circulation

Democratic party in the campaigns OF
I1SS2 and 1884 than Peter Hale, ana
the fruits of his intelligent labor was
a mine from which politicians, speak
ers and editors drew as from an eX-
haustless and infallible source.
Mr.. Klngspury, editor. of the Will
mington Star expressed this belief:
1--WE believe that he was the best
| furnished editor that North Carolina
( has ever produced. We do not thlnk
him an apler man than his former as
sociate, Colonel William l.. saunders,
| but he was much better trained and
! provided for the manifold duties or
| Journalism and editorship
To conclude, Mr.. James Randell, the
author of Maryland, My Maryland, .
said in the Augusta Chron!cls:
! he was "A first class newspaper
man; he wrote with power ana ease.
He was as fearless as he was power
ful. Under the editorial conduct or
| himself and Colonel w. l.. Saunders.
the Raleigh Observer was Justly cs-
teemed one of the best and most m
| fiuential papers south of Baltimore"
William Lawrence Saunders.
|. The announcement of the death OF
Colonel Saunders brought genuine sor-
row to thousands of North Carolinians.
But few men in the State have ever
been SO thoroughly esteemed. His
friends are found in every section
personal friends, whose attachment TO
him has been heightened through
sympathy in his sufferings, and poll
teal Sriends who have long regarded
HIM as deservedly ranking among the
truest sons OF North Carolina.
He has had the confidence Of the
people and has enjoyed the admira-
ton, esteem and respect of all who
have been brought into relations with
him. Indeed. the opinion is widely
entertained that he was one OF the
most remarkable men of his day. He
was strong man in thought: strong
man in action, and he welded an in
fiuence among the thinking men OF
the State that was second TO none
AS a devoted North Caroiinlan no
one surpassed him. He patrioticailv
served his State i'm time of war. and
when peace came he sought TO ac-
vance her best interests. In council
he was wise, and in conduct he was
resolute. He rendered most valuable
service as an adviser, and his trenchant
pen was employed in behalf of the
people. He devoted his energies his
great talents. his very life to North
Carolina. The first we know of Cai
Saunders was because OF an article
that appeared in the Wilmington Jour
nal in the campaign of 1870. 1t waS
the strongest and finest newspaper ar
ticle we had ever read. He was the
author.
1t was our fortune to become ac-
quainted with him at the succeeding
session of the Assembly wnen he wGS
clerk to the Senate. and after that W.
came To know him well. He was as
sociated with his brother-in-law. Ma.
James A. Englehard. as editor OF the
| Wilmington Journal. and was at once
recognized as the strongest writer III
| the State. In his journalistic career
/ he never made a mistake. He never
charged fact wrongfully. but he was
| boldness itself IN statement and like
| a whirlwind in denunciation.
Later he came to Raleigh with Mr.
| Hale and founded the Observer, but
| on the death of Major Englehard. then
Secretary of State, he was appointed
| to that office. Soon after entering
upon its duties, he became interested
in the Colonial Records. and that was
| the occasion of closer association
| between him and ourselves, than 9TH
erwlse might have existed.
For ten years we had this common
interest outside of personal friendship
and political association, and the in
| timacy grew with years.
AS we have said, Colonel Saunders
pacity, OF strong conviction and cor
rect sentiments. His opinions OK their
own force exerted an influence be
yond those of any other man in the
State. He wrote with great vigor anu
force, yet elegantly. In this we think
he excelled every other writer in the
state. There was a precision and clear
ness OF statement that was altogether
admirable.
He was taken about 1870 with rheu-
matism that turned into rheumatic
gout. This he attributed ir some
measure To the effect of exposure dur
ing the war. He was a great sufferer
from il and at least for fifteen years
he was almost constantly in pain, at
ter suffering excruciating agony and
frequently in peril of his life.
Yet he bore up so cheerfully, SO
patiently, with such resolution ana
fortitpde. that his intimates were
troubled when first they discov-
cred signs of impatience. They
thought it a symptom of "a weakening
in his power of self-control.
Shortly before he had finished his
great work. the completion of the
Colonial Records. friend remarked to
him that by no means ought he to
finish that work-for as soon as ii
was off his mind his desire to live
would weaken and his struggle for life
would be less resolute. The work was
then about completed. and when the
House in Acknowledgement passed a
resolution of thanks 10 him, by a ris-
Ing vote. We told him of their action,
and he was gratfied beyond our ex-
pectation. The honor done him by
the Assembly was most highly appre-
ciated by him. 1t was indeed a great
work. and employed him fer some ten
years. entailing vast research and
trouble that but few can estimate. But
il is IL monument to his fame. He
gloried in IL too. for he was enabled
TO bring out prominently matters that
redounded to the glory of our people,
illustrating their capacity for self-gov-
eminent. their devotion tc republican
principles and their resolute purpose
70 maintain their liberties.
In principle he was an ardent Demo
crat We do not mean merely that
ne was attached to the Democratic
.arty. but that he treasured the un-
derlying principles of Democracy. the
freedom Of the people, their right to
self-government. the practice OF local
government and the rights of man
In every aspect he was true man.
honoring manhood, robust virtue
scorning what is base and tempcriZing
..,, n IL