The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-05-05
MAJOR w. NJ. ROBBINS.

In the death of Major w. M. Robbins
at Statesville on Wednesday the State
suffered the loss of a man who in his
life had been called upon to face the
crises and meet the changed conditions
incident to two generations coming
from a settled order into a new life.
AS a soldier of the South of the
most intrepid brand, as a statesman
going into politics for the good he
could do his people rather than him
self as an orator whose voice was ever
lifted for his State in thrilling defence
when ASSAULTED and in explanation and
Cancellation when his audiences sought
the truth, Major Robbins had not a
peer among his great contemporaries.
In his personal life he was of that
pure and upright stamp which marks
the path of ideal citizenship. Big
brain and tender heart and superb
courage worked in him tremendously
to the making of a man shoulder high
above the crowd. He was just and
kind, gifted in mind, passionate in his
sense of duty. No man in the State
won during a long life the fuller re-
spect or the more abiding love of the
whole people.
Major Robbins was born in Ran
Golph county, and was raised on u
farm His early education was at a
country academy but he early formed
the love of books and his father de-
MED himself that his son might have
an education. He consequently spent
two years at Randolph-Maco College,
where he graduated with first distinc-
ton and was afterwards for q time
Professor of Mathematics and Ian
guages at Trinity College, when he
studied law and moved to Alabama
TO practice. On the outbreak of the
war he volunteered as a private from
Perry county, Alabama, and served
during the early months of 1851 at
Forts Morgan and Gaines at the mouth
of the Mobile river He afterwards
joined the Fourth Alabama regiment
and was chosen first lieutenant Of
Company c, going with the regiment
to Virginia in April, 1861, and serv-
ing with it with bravery and distinc-
ton throughout the war, becoming
major by regular promotion. He was
present at Harper'S Ferry with Gen.
joe Johnson in May, 1861, and was at
Appomattox in April, 1865. For the
greater part of the war his command
was a part of General Longstreets
Ii l,;o
with that of that generals campaigns.
He was at first Manassas, Seven Pines,
the seven days fight around Rich
mond, second Manassas, South Noun
tain, Sharpesburg, Fredericksburg,
Gettysburg, Chickamauga, Knoxville,
the Wilderness, where he was despcr-
ately wounded, Petersburg and in
Vulnerable smaller engagements.
Returning after the war to North
Carolina he settled in Salisbury for
the practice of law, but was forced
against his wish to stand for the Leg
islature in the midst of the power of
the reconstruction party. In the Leg
islature of 1868 his voice was raised
and his will set against the corruption
so rampant and his prophecy Chat
the State would never pay a cent of
the fraudulent bonds then issued) has
been fulfilled by history. He served
again in the House of 1870 and in the
Senate of 1912, which tried and i'm
peached Governor Holden of high
crimes and misdemeanorS.
In 1872 Major Robbins was elected
to Congress from the seventh district
and served three terms, during which
he participated with great credit to
his State in the famous debates of the
day.
Since retiring from Congress he had
devoted himself to the practice of the
profession for which he was so we'll
fitted and from which he had been SO
long detained by circumstances. He
was in law, as in every other puE-
suit. the brave advocate, the careful
student and the Christian gentleman.
His was a character so we'll round
ed and good as to inevitably persist
in influence beyond the span of his
life so lately closed.