The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-10-09
GEN. MATTHEW WHITAKER RANSOM.


Society and ever ready to respond to
any demand made upon him. His two
orations at commandments are among
the noblest of his efforts.
General Ransom matured early.
When he entered the University nc
was an accomplished diplomat. At the
age of twenty-one he began the prac-
tice of law at Warrenton He was
the most brilliant young man in North
Carolina ana began his legal career
with the confidence of large circle
of friends that he would attain the
highest eminence. He did not have
to wait long for practice and recog-
nition His commanding talent
brought them at once. Within five
years he had been elected ATTORNEY
General of the State. AT that time
the Legislature elected and no man
of his youth had ever before been cho-
sen. He was then a Whig but re-
ceived enough Democratic votes to in
sure his election. He made reputa-
ton in that office as a lawyer and
resigned in 1855 to enter upon a large
practice. Old men have loved to tell
how he swayed iuries and acquitted
clients by the sheer force of his DOW
er of persuasion. In 1858 he was
elected to the Legislature and again
in 1859 and in 1860. In 1861 he
was chosen Peace Commissioner from
the State Of North Carolina to the
Congress of the Southern States at
Montgomery. Ala. He profoundly
wished peace and sought to avert war.
When the blow fell. he put on the
gray and won glory at the lannon's
mouth. He was engaged in the prac-
war until he was elected to the United
States Senate in 1872. taking his seat
on the gath of April of that year. He
served continuously in that greatest
legislative body in the world more
than twenty-five years. his term end
ing on the night of March 3rd, 1895.
No other North Carolnian has served
so long a time in the Senate. though
Nathaniel Macon served the State lon
ger in Congress, his service being 3i-
vided between the House and Senate.
1t is remarkable that Warren county
should enjoy the honor of having fur
nished the two men who were given
| the longest service in Congress of any
| two North Caroli1ians. and even more
| remarkable that the two men thus
honored should have been of the same
| lineage. Retiring from the Senate.
General Ransom was very soon there
after appointed Minister to Mexico
which he held until the end of Cleve-
lands administration. Since then he
| has lived the life of a prosperous
Southern planter, making an occa-
sional address, political or otherwise.
1t has been apparent for some months
that his strength was failing slowly.
but his death came suddenly on the
anniversary of his birthday in his
seventy-eighth year.
In his long and eventful public ca
reer. General Ransom rendered his
State distinguished service in peace
and in war. He was 81 diplomat born
and no man ever surpassed him in the
power to win men and hold their at
| fections. In 1885 there was some op-
position to his reelection to the Sem
ate and one of the foremost men in
! the State, then a State Senator came
10 Raleigh resolved to oppose his re-
election. Senator Ransom was advised
by his feeling. He set himself to
win over that gentleman and when the
| Democratic caucus assembled every
body was surprised when the Pied
mont orator who came to Raleigh to
oppose his election. rose to place Gen.
| Ransom in nomination. He had won
him completely and also nearly all
the others who had thought to pre-
vent his reelection. In truth. al
! though opposed first and last by half
a dozen of the States first men. Gen
eral Ransom's terms of office was
regarded by the people as fixed by the
/ duration of the period of the suprem-
dcy of his party. He was never de-
feated as long as his party was in
power, and would have been reelected
the Legislature.
1t would be difficult to name the
most important services General Ran
som rendered his State. Most of them
will never be known because they re
lated to the good offices he employed
to help men who were under disabili-
ties or embarrassed because of the
war How much he did for North
Carolina during his first term in the
Senate will never be known or writ
ten 1t called for tact. talent and wis
dom of a peculiar order order. and
these Gen. Ransom possessed in the
highest degree. In 1872, when he took
his seat in the Senate. feeling ran
high, and the majority in the Senate
was hostile toward the South. General
Ransom felt his way at first. Grad
ually he won their confidence. soon
he won the esteem of his colleagues
and was able to get a hearing in the
departments. He was often criticized
because he did not rise to defend the
South when attacked. He belleVeo
that nothing was to be gained for the
South by acrimonious debate. 1'
made one famous speech in delehse
of the South-portions of when are
l,,,4 1s