the sandy shores of Currituck, to the blue mountains of Cherokee, to witness these gladiatorial contests. Both were in the prime of life--both ambitious. Saunders was dexterous and well informed; Morehead was apt to perceive, quick to learn, and always ready; as Gavin Hogg said of him on this occasion, "he learned faster than any man he ever knew," and he was elected over his able and indefatigable opponent by about 8,000 majority.
The manner in which he discharged the duties of the executive office has passed into history. He has written his name in characters more durable than monumental brass in the institutions of the state. Every engine as it shrilly sounds in its progress along the iron pathway, announces his zeal for the cause of internal improvement. Every school-house that decks our hills or valleys, preserves his memory as the friend of education, and the stately charities near our metropolis proclaim his name as the protector and the friend of the deaf and dumb, and of the unhappy insane.
He was a candidate for governor a second time and was opposed by the learned and eloquent Louis D. Henry; but the health of Mr. Henry was feeble, and although he made an able canvass, he was defeated by Governor Morehead.
After his second term as governor had expired, he returned to the quiet comforts of Blandwood, as his home was called near Greensboro, determined to devote himself to private pursuits, for he could not be idle. He had erected, before entering political life, commodious and extensive buildings for a female seminary which he called "Edgewood," from which educated and accomplished young ladies were sent forth annually. His energy and enterprise established large cotton factories, thus competing with the Lowells of the north.
He was also largely engaged in the various railroad interest of the state, and received much vituperation from those opposed to his energetic and vigorous views. He was the first president of the North Carolina railroad; under his auspices it was put into operation and conducted successfully for many years. He retired from its presidency in 1855.
In 1848, he presided over the convention that nominated General Taylor for the presidency; in 1858, he was elected to the commons, and in 1860, he represented Guilford County in the senate, with Cyrus P. Mendenhall, C. E. Shober and J. J. Gorrell as colleagues in the commons.
The first national position which Governor Morehead ever filled, was that of a delegate from North Carolina, to "the peace congress," which assembled at Washington, early in 1861, with George Davis, Thomas Ruffin, David S. Reid, Daniel M. Barringer as colleagues. The hope of peace was delusive, and all efforts were idle. He went there the devoted friend of the union, and left the convention ready to follow the destinies of his state.
When the southern confederacy was established, he was chosen by the legislature of the state to represent his district in the provisional congress, but he had approached
"--The sear and yellow leaf of life"
The desolating effects of the war had seriously injured his estate. He not only lost his slaves, of which he had a great number, but a considerable amount invested in confederate bonds, nor were these all the saddening effects of the war on Governor Morehead. His health gave way; and with the hope of restoring his shattered constitution, he repaired to the Rock Alam springs of Virginia, where he died on August 27, 1866, full of years, and loved and regretted by the people of North Carolina.
He married in 1822, Eliza, the eldest daughter of the late Colonel Robert Lindsay.
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