The state chronicle., 1892-11-01
SENATOR RANSOM.

4 AO AollOWluS tllUuIC w COuoIo1 1NaLi
som is from the pen of one of the mos
accomplished scholars in the South, ever,
word of which is deserved by this princ'
of orators, and we adopt it as an edito
rial with our heartlest endorsement
Forty five years ago, at the age O
twenty-one, Matthew w. Ransom begal
his career as an orator in North Carolina
1t was one of the most brilliant occasion
in the history of the State. Presiden
Jas. K. Polk, with members of his cabi
net. was visiting the State to attend tn,
annual commencement of the University
his beloved alma mater. As president
of the United States he sat upon the
stage where thirty nine years before ht
had received his college diploma. Around
him were Graham. Mangum, Morehead,
Ruffin, Gilmer, Badger, Bragg, Manly,
Moore, Cherry, Gillian. Eaton, Daniel
Battle, Barringer, and others of the
board Of trustees, a galaxy of talent that
might have adorned any age in English
history.
The graduating class came upon the
stage. 1t was famed for its numbers and
its extraordinary scholarship. Rarely
had such an assemblage Of gifted young
men sat upon one rostrum. But the ia
ces OF all eyes was two members of the
class, who during four years had been
rivals for University honors. They were
James Johnston Pettig and Matthew
Whitaker Ransom. Pettigrew's genius
as a mathematician was already gaining
national fame; while Ransom had
displayed on more occasions than
one that transcendent power as
an orator which has thrilled
and delighted his countrymen for nearly
half century. They were the most
gifted men in the class, the most ambiti
tious students and the most polished
scholars Pettigrew charmed and aston
ished the faculty by bis never falling ex-
celleDces and his phenomenal genius AS
scientist and mathematician Ransom
delighted them by his exquisite taste, his
accurate scholarship, his wonderful mem
ory, his rare felicity of expression, and
his unerrlng instinct as a linguist and an
interpreter Of human emotions. He was
the leader of the students and almost
their idol. Pettigrew was awarded the
Valedictory and Ransom the English
Oratlon. Ransom, conscious of his
strength as an orator, stepped
forward on the stage and deliver
ed an oration which made him the hero
OF the hour The audience rose in mass
and cheered for ten minutes, while the
boys took him on their shoulders and
carried him around the campus with the
widest enthusiasm
Five years later at the early age of
twenty six he was elected Attorney Gen
eral of North Carolina, and two wears
later he delivered an Grafton at the Uni
Versity which has not been surpassed
either in wisdom or in eoquence by any
OF the orations that have been uttered
there by our most eminent orators
For more than full generation he has
been the foremost orator in North
Carolina. He is an orator both by nature
and by culture. He has the fire of
Demosthenes and the polish of Cicero.
io-oay he Is the most conspicuous figure
In the State. Great crowds greet him
wherever he goes, and he moves men to
tears lie is past the meridian of life
but his intellect is bright and clear. his
heart is warm and true, his eloauence is
strong and fervid. A great man grows
greater with each proceeding year. So
has 1t been with Ransom. He was born
with gifts that are rare and splendid He
mas treasured them, and polished them.
ana yet used them lavishly for his people
de Is eminent as soldier, a statesman
and an orator. He was gallant on the
oattie field; be is wise and watchful in
the council chamber he is CONVINCING and
captivating as an orator. He has spoken
rare'y In the Senate chamber but the
speeches that he has made are gems of the
torce OF eloquence He has realized that or.
atorythere changes no votes ;aud d vet he has
changed votes there by his power to man
age men He was an active agent in def, at
ing the Force bill. He knows what means
Will accomplish an end. ard he is too
wise to vase time in playing with words
On the hustings he is not charv of elo-
quence: during the present campaign
ne mas held audiences for three hours and
a halfb his splendid oratory and reason
tie can speak at the court of St James
or at mountain cross roads with eonal
power and eloquence.
AT the age of 66 he is canyaSsipg ,he
state with the vigor aud fire of youth
tie mas seen the wealth and the fashion
aud the power of the North. but he loves
the simple, honest ways of his na,ive
state: lie loves North Carolina; and
NORTH Carolina will long delight to love
and honor hsnsom.