The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-13
ZRBULON ". YANCE.
A Beautiful Tribute to His Memory by
Judge Clark

The following beautiful tribute to the
memory Of the lamented Zebulon Is.
Vance is from the pen Of Hon Walter
Clark. Judge Of the Supreme Court Of
North Carolina;
Truly, "a prince and a great man has
this day fallen in Israel"
There are still many who can remember
when the bright luminary which has
Just FASTENED to his setting. first rose in
his full-orbed splendor upon Il troubled
horizon. The soil Of our State shook to
the tread of marching columns. The best
and bravest of her sons poured like an
Alpine torrent across our Northern Dor
der There was need for a man at the
helm Of the State. In the providence of
God we found him. To the camps North
Carolina sent her mandate, and called
home her lion-hearted son. From that
day the welfare Of her people and her
soldiery was his never-ceasing care.
Throughout the army no troops were
as we'll clothed. as we'll shod. or better
armed than those who bore on their
bayonet points the honor and fame Of
North Carolina
full third Of a 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 hearthstOne, by the fire
side 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-
ment and disfranchisement were visited
1T. ,far Of
temptations shook him. None ever doubt
ed where he stood-it was with his peo-
pie. In all the trials through which
we have passed for thirty years there
has never been a contest nor struggle
i'm which we did not feel stronger and
drawer 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 Governor
Vance. II was because they instinctively
understood him. 1t was because the peo-
pie. 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 made mistakes, for he was but a
man. But one mistake he never made;
one fault he was never charged with;
not once in his long and splendid public
CSreer was it ever whispered that Gov
ernor Vance or Senator Vance had pal
tered with his duty for place or power.
AS for money, there was not enough Of
Il to buy him. TO his latest breath. as
from his earliest entrance into public
life. he was true to his trust
Twice a member of Congress- tnrice
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 the
affection of the people for him were
equalled only by his fidelity to them.
AS brave soldier we honor him. AS
an incorruptible public servant. we adj
mire and esteem him. AS the fearless
tireless champion of the peoples rights.
we love him.
He ever stood
For the cause that lacks assistance,
'Gainst the wrongs that need resistance;
For all the good that h. could do"
The great tribune of the people is dead.
And in all our wide borders there is
not one who can fiji his place In the
hearts and the hopes of his people.