Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-10-28
Speech Of Gov. Hill.

And kinder take Kings at my ease.
Speech of Gov. Hill.
HIS TRIBUTE TO HENRY W. Ora DY.
On Wednesday, October 21st, the monu-
nent to Henry W. Grady-Journalist, Ora
or, nd Patriot-was unveiled at Atlanta,
Georgia. The orator of the occasion was
aoy. David B. Hill, of New York. We
publish below the latter portion Of Gov.
Hills address as follows:
ssThe press is our best secu rity for the
of our politi cal institutions.
It is our best safeguard against the perver-
sion of our government-against loading 1t
up with private business we can best Co
operate and do. In that direction lies our
great danger. We elect our Presidents and
Governors forsooth, but not our editors.
Perhaps ballots then need not be omnipo-
tent To our editors we may look when
socialism and Capitalization stand unrebuk-
ed by those to whom ballots have entrusted
that responsibility. The freedom and
growth of the press will at last invigorate
that clause of our constitution which with
holds from government all but a few specif-
ic and expressly granted powers. Better
every just expansion of private freedom
than any growth of governmental func-
tion-still more of governmental usurpa-
tion."
After warm tribute to the workmen in
the journalistic profession, Governor Hill
said: SIT is the politicians of the United
States-from the ballot-box to the capitol
who are most worthy to be assembled with
us at this memorial hour and to have
spokesman here. For this young journal
list was in the best and broadcast sense
politician. and he carried in his noble heart
the burden of public care. He collected
your opinions; he shared, tested, expressed
your sentiments; he OWNED your deepest
thoughts; he gave you the best of his own;
he became at last your voice-the voice Of
the New South. We heard the fine clarion
among our SHOWS as you had been hearing
it over your savannas. The sweet, pierc-
ing note salutes at first unfriendly ears,
but wins its way at length, persuades 81
lence among Earring tongues, and finally
attunes chorus to its own pure, lofty mel
ody. I do not overestimate the effect pro-
duced by single speech. But you know
how it is said that Swiss guides in snow
path whisper, lest vibrations from the voice
shake down little white drift, and 80 let
loose an avalanche.
'Other appeals had never touched the
same chords of sympathy and charity. He
told us only what we knew, but what be-
fore we had never 30 fully appreciated.
For generation we had looked at the mis-
cry of only one side in that terrible con-
hict-our sympathies and our charities
were selfishly confined to the sufferings of
our own section. Grady lifted the scales
from our eyes and gave us new sight. He
burst the narrow bounds of our sympathy
and gave it broader scope. He uncon-
sciously and unobtrusively rebuked our Sec
tional selfshness, brushed away our jeal-
ousies. scattered our prejudices and almost
in an instant made of US all better patriots
and truer Americans. 1t was the appeal of
eloquence and patriotism. 1t was the cry
of earnestness and truth.
SIT caused a revival of pure and lofty pa
triotism. 1t touched the heart and con-
science of the country. The name of Grady
was upon every lip. He had accomplished
life work in an hour. If he had no other
claim upon the gratitude and remem-
brance of the American people, this
single effort of his genius was sufficient to
give him undying fame and to establish his
memory forever In the grateful affections
of his countrymen. While it will be con-
coded that Mr.. Grady's New England din
ner speech at once established his reputa-
tion as an orator upon wider and more
enduring field than he had heretofore oc-
cupied, and attracted worldwide attention
because of its impassioned and unique ora
tory and the peculiar circumstances sur
rounding its delivery, yet it may well be
commended that his address at the Dallas
(Texas) fair on The South and Her Prob
lens was more able production and ex-
hlbited more careful thought and prepara-
ton. His address Against Capitalization,
delivered before the societies Ofthe Univer
sity of Virginia in 1889, showed the re-
search and foresight of statesman. But
his speech at the Boston banquet in Decem.
Der, 1889, was the ablest and grandest pre-
sentation of the position of the South on
the race problem that has ever been put
forth, and in the Judgment of many surpass-
ed all his previous efforts as brilliant ora
tor and profound thinker.
"Henry W. Grady was not only great
orator and public benefactor-he was q
typical citizen. The solid virtues of his
private life fifty supplemented the brilliant
qualities of his genius and the great accom-
plishments of his public efforts. He was a
domestic man. He loved his home and his
family; he was always delighted to enter
tain his friends around his own hospitable
freside. He loved the country and its
quiet pursuits. He loved this city Of his
adoption and fondly watched its proud pro-
gress. He loved its people and was by
them in turn beloved. He was rare CON
versationalist and genial companion. He
was q true friend and an honest man. Alb. |
sorbed in his profession, he never held or
sought office.
s.Beneath this bronze memorial and
throughout this broad land let Henry
Grady's memory be cherished by every
patriot. Let the story of his great work
inspire every true American. Let the
example of his exalted purpose and gener-
Gus effort make fairer partisans and better
citizens. The sacred task which he ao- |
complished let no man try to undo. The |
reconciliation which his eloquence brought |
about let no man dare to disturb. Let |
that hand wither which seeks again to |
kindle the fires of sectional strife that |
Grady quenched. A reunited people shall |
quickly avenge that insult to his memory |
and smother with reproach that inoendiary |
effort.
Truly does his name live in the memory
Of the peoplel Rich as Georgia is in the
fame of her brilliant SONS, few names among
your iliustrious men hold more sacred I
place in your affections. He was the sym.
pathetic friend in your days of adversely; he
was your inspiration in days of struggle; he
was your hope in times of despair; he was
the embodiment of your new aspirations
The representative Of your new ideas-the
leader in your new prosperity. When up
IN the solid four dalton of success which
you and he have built the complete struc-
,ure of glorious statehood shall be reared
BY your posterity, jealousy may those fu-
ure generations preserve the memory Of
hat young Georgian and point with vener-
.tion to this noble ststue-repeating softly
md reverently the words of this inscription:
Henry w. Grady, journalist, orator, pa
riot"
'.And when from distant States and q
lolder Cline strangers shall walk through
he streets of youI beautiful city and gaze
pom this memorial of your love and pride,
fectionately may they recall the life work i
( this beloved Southerner and reverently 9
AIRY away with them as an inspiring and
atriotio memory the touching tribute which
on have inscribed in these letters Of stone, ,
hat when he died he was literally loving !