School History of North Carolina : from 1584 to the present time

by John W. Moore

9. What was the condition of religious matters?

10. What effects were seen from the growth of the churches?

11. What great congregations were found in various places during the summer?

CHAPTER L.

THE MEXICAN WAR.

A. D. 1844 TO 1846.

Governor Dudley was opposed by ex-Governor John Branch, of
Halifax, as the candidate of the Democratic party in 1838.
Governor Branch had been in the Cabinet of General Jackson, and
upon his defeat in this contest, retired from public life in
North Carolina to receive the appointment of territorial
Governor of Florida. In the Gubernatorial contest, two years
later, John Motley Morehead, of Guilford, as the nominee of the
Whigs, likewise defeated the Democratic leader, Judge Romulus M.
Saunders.

2. They were both men of large natural endowments, and have never been surpassed in the vigor of their debates before the people. They were both educated at Chapel Hill, and were types of public Southern men of their day. Judge Saunders made a high reputation as a member of Congress; and Governor Morehead so grew in favor that eloquent Louis D. Henry, who opposed his re- election, was also defeated by a considerable majority.

3. The loss of the State in the deaths of Judge Gaston, of Judge Daniel, and of Lewis Williams, long one of our Representatives in Congress, was not easily repaired. Michael Hoke, of Lincolnton, was rising to prominence as a politician when his untimely death occurred. He had just concluded a brilliant canvass against William A. Graham, of Orange, for the office of Governor, and lost his election and his life in the summer of 1844.

4. This election of Governor Graham marked a new era in the development of the State. He was the son of General Joseph Graham, of the Revolution, and inherited many of his virtues. No public man in the history of the State has brought closer application or a higher elevation to his duties. Like Richard Caswell and Nathaniel Macon, his hold upon the public affections was never lost, and to the day of his death he was "first in the hearts of his countrymen" of North Carolina.