The Western Democrat

We copy the following article from the Goldsboro Tribune. It is a just tribute to a good man:

Messrs Editors:—Few public men in North Carolina, have arisen so rapidly to honor and distinction, as the gentleman whose name heads this article. Honest and sterling merit, both personal and political, could only have won for him such unbounded confidence in the hearts of the people, and have secured for him their highest mark of approbation and favor. Those who know Gov. Reid intimately, will certainly evince no surprise at his success, for he so nobly and beautifully embodies in his character the plain and unostentatious principles of a Democrat, that to reward him was a "labor of love."

Favors and honors come not to him sought and purchased by cunning intrigues or annoying importunities, but by the free action and uninfluenced will of his party. If that party has been profuse in its rewards, the merits of the recipient have been great and deserving.

I purpose to trace as concisely as the subject will admit, the events that have so far, marked the political life of Gov. Reid.—Every North Carolinian should feel interested in the career of her public men, for their acts constitute the chapters in our national history, by which we are to be judged by coming generations. I presume a feeling of State-pride alone, not to name other considerations, will be sufficient to claim for this article, the attention of your numerous readers.

Gov. Reid first appeared in public life in 1835, under the old constitution, as a State Senator from his native county of Rockingham. After the adoption of the new constitution, he was re-elected the succeeding year, to the same position. In 1838 and 1840, he was returned to the same body.—The continued support of his constituents, conclusively attested the confidence they reposed in him. His services in the senatorial branch of the Legislature, were important to those whom he represented, and of such a liberal and just character, as to embrace a cautious watchfulness over the interest of the whole State. As a devoted son of the Old North State, he knew that she had claims upon him as one of her legislators, which no narrow geographical lines ought to circumscribe, and hence he labored diligently for her good, her honor, and her prosperity.

In 1843, Gov. Reid was elected to the House of Representatives of the United States. The next Congressional campaign opened in 1844, and Gov. Reid triumphed again. Then he was surrounded by Messrs Biggs and Dobbin, as his prominent colleagues in maintaining the wisdom and sound policy of Mr. Polk's administration. The period was one of unusual excitement and exasperated party-feeling. The administration had open and avowed enemies, who were ever ready to throw obstacles and difficulties in the way of a speedy and satisfactory settlement of all great questions. Gov. Reid was equal to his duty, and was found laboring assiduously in behalf of Mr. Polk, and the conservative party of which he as President, was a recognized head and representative. The country was imperilled by dangers that required able counsels to point out the way by which they might be escaped, without impairing or compromising our national honor. Gov. Reid manfully sustained the Administration throughout his second term; guarded the rights of the District with inflexible fidelity. and wisely shaped his conduct, as to acquire a large degree of influence in the House. His record affords the surest index of his devotion to those orthodox principles which have so signally advanced the material greatness of the Republic.

The Gubernatorial Convention of the Democratic and whig parties met in 1848, to select their respective standard-bearers. The Whigs had for many years defied the most determined efforts of their opponents, for the redemption of the State. Uninterrupted successes had followed the struggles of such leaders as Badger and Mangum Graham and Morehead, Shepard and Miller, Rayner and Stanly, so long, that hope seemed to hold out no promise of Democratic ascendency. With an unbroken chain of victories extending many years back in favor of whig men and measures, Gov. Reid commenced the unequal contest, with a hearty purpose of conquering heretofore invincible legions. Gov. Manly instead of sustaining the prestige of his predecessors, by claiming a majority of thousands, only obtained his election by the paltry majority of a few hundred. To pardon a slight digression, the fact has been incontestably demonstrated, that Gov. Reid is stronger than his party; for immediately after his defeat in 1848 by seven hundred votes, Gen. Taylor carried the State by over eight thousand majority, and in 1852, Gov. Reid was elected by five thousand majority, while Gen. Pierce fell short of a thousand.

But to return to the point. Seeing that Gov. Reid was an available man, and one eminently fitted for the office of Governor, the Democratic party again in 1850, placed him before the people for their suffrages. He vanquished the adversary. The victory was brilliant and complete, and the star of whiggery went down below the political horizon, leaving no solitary ray to mark its once proud place in empyrean. In 1852 he was re-elected Governor, by a largely increased majority. It was during these arduous campaigns, that Gov. Reid so earnestly espoused the great doctrine of equal suffrage—a doctrine of which he was the author. Since 1835, that monstrous feature of political inequality remained in our constitution, which excluded those not owning a free hold of fifty acres of land from voting for Senator. His efforts in having this wrong expunged from the organic law, have endeared him to those whose rights have now been so fully obtained. Gov. Reid's administration of the State government for two terms, gave the utmost satisfaction to his party, and to the unprejudiced people of our beloved old commonwealth.

During the session of the Legislature in 1854, Gov. Reid was elected a United States Senator for four years. This was an honor well merited, and justly due to him from the Democratic party. Since his appearance in the Senate he has attentively watched the interests of his State and so modestly won his honors, as to command the respect of and acquire a political influence in that august assembly. Unaccustomed to the practice of indulging in the idle and unprofitable discussion of every minor subject that comes before the Senate; yet, whenever the rights of his section or interests of his constituents are at stake, he never fails to raise his voice in their defence,

His clear understanding and practical manner of speaking, make him a public agent of admitted usefulness. Truthfully can be said, that he possesses the substantial elements of enlightened statesmanship.

My humble sketch of Gov. Reid is now finished. To every North Carolinian, from the mountains of Cherokee to the sea-board of Currituck, his services and his name are favorably known. Both too will ever be appreciated. When the starless night of disaster hung so ominously around our little band, he came to the rescue, and with a valor and indomitable determination, like that which armed the iron arm of Cœur de Lion to conquer his enemies, Gov. Reid succeeded in snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.

Gratitude is a commendable trait in the human character, and parties also should acknowledge its influences. True to his friends—graceful and prepossessing in his manners—steadfast in his attachment to his principles, and eminently influential as a Senator, he deserves a long continuance in the position he now holds, with such distinguished credit to himself and to our State.

CARTERET.

Jan 1st 1858