INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS--THE COURTS AND THE BAR.
A. D. 1836.
There had been many changes effected among the people of North
Carolina by the lapse of time when the year 1836 came in.
Bartlett Yancey, the two Drs. Caldwell and Archibald Henderson
were all dead, and their places filled by other men. Cotton was
becoming more and more widely cultivated, and, year by year the
value of slave property was increasing by reason of the profits
realized in the cultivation of this great Southern staple.
2. The Dismal Swamp Canal was at last ready for traffic between
the Albemarle country and Norfolk, in the State of Virginia. A
change was soon apparent in the trade of the towns thus connected
by a new watercourse with the outer world. The dangerous voyages
through the inlets and out into the ocean were by degrees
abandoned, and almost all direct trade with the West Indies
ceased.
3. The first railway charter given in North Carolina was that of
the Petersburg Railroad. This was in 1830, and was followed, two
years later, by that of the Portsmouth and Roanoke route. Soon
after, Governor Dudley and others organized the Wilmington
Railroad, leading to Weldon, the same terminus fixed for the
others. This was for some time the longest single line in the
world.
4. A few lines had been constructed in the United States prior to
these, but they were among the pioneer works of the vast network
of railways now seen in every portion of the Republic. Wonderful
changes have taken place in the travel and traffic of the States.
The vast extent of the national territory once presented to wise
observers of our institutions a bar to any unity of thought and
interest; but steam and electricity have triumphed over space,
and the Republic, in 1882, is far more compact and its parts
greatly more accessible than were the Atlantic States in 1787.
5. In just a half century the iron lines, beginning at the sea,
have reached and pierced the mountain barriers of Western North
Carolina. From State to State rush the tireless ministers of our
wealth and pleasure. Instead of the wagon toiling slowly in the
rear of weary axemen, we see the long and well-appointed
railroad train sweep by with the speed of the hurricane, bearing
the wealth of States, and doing more in the course of twenty-four
hours to diffuse civilization and luxury than our ancestors could
have accomplished in as many years.
6. The Baptist churches of the greater portion of North Carolina,
in 1830, formed what they called a "State Convention" and
organized for missionary and other purposes. This important
movement resulted in a great improvement to this denomination,
for out of this combination learned periodicals, new churches and
many colleges and schools were to have their origin.
7. Among public men of that day, Judge Willie P. Manguni, of
Orange, held a distinguished position. His brilliant eloquence
and gracious demeanor secured his election in 1830, over Governor
John Owen, to the United States Senate. In this distinguished
body he remained long and became highly influential. A personal
difficulty came near resulting in a duel between these two
gentlemen, but it was amicably settled. Governor Owen was no
further in public life, except to preside over the convention
which nominated Harrison and Tyler for the chief executive
offices of the United States in 1840.
8. Upon the death of Chief Justice Taylor, in 1829, the legal
profession lost one of its greatest ornaments. His strong
natural understanding was further improved by his learning; but
in addition to this, he possessed qualities which peculiarly
fitted him for framing the practice and precedents of a new
tribunal. He was an eminently wise and just man, and well
deserved to be called the "Mansfield of North Carolina."
9. Upon Judge Taylor's death, Leonard Henderson became Chief-
Justice, and Judge J. D. Toomer, Associate-Justice. The latter
only remained a member of the Court a few months, and having
resigned, was succeeded by Thomas Ruffin, of Orange. No one in
our history has brought higher judicial qualities to the bench
than were seen in Judge Ruffin. Deep learning, wide grasp and
luminous statement soon made him respected both at home and
abroad.
10. Upon the death of Chief-Justice Henderson, in 1833, William
Gaston, of Craven, was elected to the Supreme Court. The Court
was then composed of Chief-Justice Thomas Ruffin, Joseph J.
Daniel and William Gaston, Associates; and was unequaled in
America as a legal tribunal. Judge Daniel was able, learned and
upright; and in Gaston nature had combined her highest gifts.
His Roman Catholic creed was not shared by many people of the
State, but such were the purity and usefulness of his life, that
no man of his time was more beloved or trusted.
11. The Judges of the Superior Courts were also men of integrity
and ability. Henry Seawell, who was a powerful advocate in the
courts, and had twice been clothed with the judicial ermine, had
recently died, and the different circuits were then presided over
by Thomas Settle, of Rockingham; R. M. Saunders, of Wake; John M.
T. Dick, of Guilford; John L. Bailey, of Pasquotank, and Richmond
M. Pearson, of Rowan.
12. The Bar of North Carolina was never more respected for the
learning and eloquence of its members than at the period now
reached in this narrative. Gavin Hogg, Peter Browne and Judge
Duncan Cameron were all men of renown. They were possessed of
large fortunes and left names of unsullied honor.
13. Judge Badger, B. F. Moore, Thomas Bragg, and W. N. H. Smith,
were all in full practice before the courts, and were the peers
of Iredell, Davie and Archibald Henderson of former days. It is
impossible to overestimate the influence for good or evil which
has been and ever will be exerted by the lawyers in a free land.
They are the sentinels and conservators of public liberty, and,
next to the clergy, improve or impair the morality of the masses.
QUESTIONS.
1. What changes were noticed in North Carolina in 1836? What is
said of cotton and slave property?
2. What canal had been completed? How did it benefit that section?
3. What is said of the railway charters?
4. In what condition were railroads at this time?
5. What is said of the present means of travel?
6. What religious convention had been formed in 1730?
7. What public man is now mentioned, and what is said of his abilities?
8. What mention is made of Chief-Justice Taylor?
9. What changes were made in the Supreme Court? What is said of
Judge Thomas Ruffin?
10. Who succeeded Judge Henderson? Who composed the Supreme
Court in 1833?
11. Can you name some of the Judges, of the Superior Court?
12. What is said of the Bar at this period?
13. How is the influence of lawyers always felt in a community?