The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1894-05-15
No. ID
[For Tie North Carolina Teaeher.1 ]
ZEBULON B. VANCE.


BY JUDGE WALTER CLARK, RALEIGH, N. q.
Truly "a prince and great man has
this day fallen in Israeli
There are still many who can re-
member when the bright luminary
which has just FASTENED to his setting
first rose in his full orbed splendor
upon a troubled horizon. The soil of
our State shook to the of marching
columns The best and bravest of her
sons poured like an Alpine torrent
across our Northern border. There
was need for man at the helm of
State. In the providence of God we
found him. To the camps North Caro-
lima sent her mandate and called home
her lion hearted son. From that day
the welfare of her people and her SOL
diery was his never ceasing care.
Throughout the army, no troops were
as well clothed, as well shod or better
armed than those who bore on their
bayonet points the honor and the fame
of North Carolina.
A full third of century has passed
since we called him to the head of the
State, but from that hour to this by
every soldiers bivouac, by every sur
viving soldiers hearth stone, by the
fireside Of every soldiers son and
daughter, if there is one name more
than another which can stir the heart
as with the sound Of a trumpet it is,
and ever has been, that of the great
War Governor, Zebulon B. Vance.
After the war, for our sins, imprison-
mentand disfranchisement were visited
upon him. In the dark days of 1868
no temptations shook him. None ever
doubted where he stood-it was with
his people In all the trials through
which we have passed for thirty years
there has never been contest nor q
struggle in which we did not feel
stronger and braver because we knew
that he was with us.
Among all our illustrious dead, there
has been not one who has more COM
pletely commanded the confidence and
the affection of the people than Gov
ernor Vance. It was because they in
stinctively understood him. Tt was
because the people, the great plain
common people, knew that he was of
them, and for them. They knew and
they felt that whatever Establishments
and whatever seductions power and
wealth might offer, Vance would not
desert them. He had his faults, for he
was mortal. He made mistakes, for
he was but man. But one mistake
he never made, one fault he was never
charged with: not once in his long and
splendid public career was it ever
whispered that Governor Vance, or
Senator Vance, had paltered with his
duty for place or power. AS for money,
there was not enough of it to buy him.
To his latest breath. as from the earliest
entrance into public, life, he was true
to his trust.
Twice a member of Congress, thrice
chosen Governor, and four times elected
to the United States Senate; upon no
other son has North Carolina lavished
so many honors. The pride and afec-
tion of the people for him were equalled
only by his fidelity to them.
As a brave soldier we honor him.
As an incorruptible public servant we
admire and esteem him. AS the fear
less, tireless champion of the peoples
rights we love him.
He ever stood.
''For the cause that lacks assistance;
''Gainst the wrou gs that need resistance;
"FOr all the good that he could do"
The great tribune of the people Is
dead. And in all our wide borders
there is not one who can fill his place
in the hearts and the hopes Of his
people.