The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1894-06-07

liiuotidtCS inc DIlSnt nutuOf duuoVcI-
flowing readiness of the man under
the most trying circumstances.
At all times and under all cirCum-
stances his great heart was in touch
with humanity. The people were the
objects of his love- Their cause was his
cause. His whole life was given to
their service. No one, however hum
BILE, who merited his attention ever ap-
pealed to him in vain. No preferment
or power could turn him aside from
what he conceived to be the peoples
interest. The helpless always found
in him a friend and champion. The
wounded Confederate soldier on ac-
count of his helplessness had his ten
derest sympathies and cheerful help.
We but do ourselves honor, fellow
comrades, when we meet to commem-
crate the life and deeds of such a man;
and | am sure no man who wore the
blue will censure US for doing so.
They were brave in battle and they
are generous in peace. In evidence Of
this l will here mention an incident
which came under my observation and
which was peculiarly touching. |
happened to be in the Revere House
in Boston in the fall of 1883 when a
brigade Of cavalry veterans we're hold
ing one of their annual reunions. |
was invited to attend their banquet,
which gladly did. In the course of
some remarks which l had the honor
to make, l mentioned the fact that
Stonewall Jackson's widow and
daughter were our travelling compan-
ions and that they were then in the
hotel. Instantly the entire audience
rose to its feet and gave vent to their
profoundest esteem and regard for the
widow and daughter of the great
soldier. A great bank of flowers was
prepared and committee sent to bear
them to these ladies. Had it been
announced that the widow and
daughter of one of their own great
generals was in the hotel / do not
believe it would have called forth a
more genuine exhibition or deeper
feeling of respect. That generous act
was no disloyalty in these brave men.
They were but giving voice to their
noble natures. So we, fellow comrades,
are but giving tongue and speech to
all that is noble within US in meeting
this evening to do honor to the name
Of the man whose highest aspirations
were to serve the best interest of his
fellowmen. He has left behind him a
life worthy of study-an example
worthy Of imitation. He never neg
lected an opportunity to relieve the
want Of an old Confederate, or Of any
one dependent upon him-he never
let go by an opportunity to speak a
kind word to one of these, or to make
lighter the declining years of his lite.
When We contemplate the life and
services of this truly great man, it is
hard, indeed, to realize that this brave
champion of the peoples rights has
laid down his armor forever that he
has fought his last fight, filled the
measure of his labor and that his manly
breast is still in doubt. Men, women
and children felt tile shock of a great
disaster when the telegraph wires
flashed the mournful intelligence over
our land that the pale white horse had
paused in his relentless march at 1927
Massachusetts avenue, and that the ter
rible rider, at whose coming the door
of the king and commoner alike flies
open, had entered and touched with
icy finger the lips of this great tribune
of the people and that Zebulon Biard
Vance had fallen asleep. But blessed
be God who here asserts His omnipo-
tence and robs death of its sting and
the grave of its victory, he is not dead
We know that the immortal part of this
high priest of our political faith wa:
waited above this sin and sorrow.
stained earth into the eternal light
we know that suffering and care were
also laid down and that his great soul
lifted on angel wings, received the
glad salute, "well done, good and
faithful servant" All that humanity
can claim, the precious dust. was lef
as priceless legacy to US and oul
children, How precious was thi:
heritage has already been and viii
continue to be shown to the worlC
from the lips of orators compelled to
eloquence, and from the tears anC
floral offerings of women who felt tina
this defender of the rights of his State
had been their defender and from tht
hushed awe of the little children tina
Zebulon Vance was no more.
But, perhaps more than all, we fee
the depth of what we have lost from
such gatherings as this when his ole
comrades have met together will
bowed heads to do honor to hi
memory. We have followed hi
fortunes, sometimes it may be from
afar off, when dangers which neve
terrified his brave soul were to be me
and overcome alone; or when unable
to scale the heights to which he hae
attained, we have still followed hin
with tender pride and zeal. Some O
US encouraged by his noble example
who have learned somewhat to do ane
to dare, have followd him into tn
realm of thought and have experienced
a sense of exaltation in claiming
citizenship with him. Yet, proud a
we were of his great life as whole
proud as we were of his triumps in th'
days which tried mems souls, wheI
called &c the helm of State he knew n
such word as falter in the line OF wha
he conceived to be his duty, though
it might lead him to prison and eve
death. Proud of the stainless homo
upon which the foul breath of scanda
could never breathe one shadow {
mist, even in those days when tn