The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-12-14
REV. J. D. HUFHAM.
The Leading Member of the oaptst State Convention.

full, and as the speaker began in a con-
versational tone. l do not thLnk his hear
ers felt that they were going to hear
the greatest speech OF DIR. HuIhams life
He spoke without notes or preparation,
but from full heart, and it was not
long before he had that vast congrega-
ton in perfect sympathy with him, and
as he proceeded the tears in their eyes
told that he had touched the fount of
feeling. l count myself happy to have
been present to hear what must rank as
one of the greatest speeches. ever made
in religious body in North Carolina
Beginning with the statement, it was
true of every man whose life is given to
the public that he has no time to make
and save money, DIR. Huffman gave a
graphic sketch Of the public career of
Americas foremost man." Thomas JEFF
ferson, who after comforting blessings
upon mankind, came to an old age of
poverty, writing in his will: 81 bequeath
my soul to God and my daughter to my
country" His tribute to Jefferson. ''the
greatest man this country has produc-
ed" was admirable. and his contrast of
the wealth of his devotion to his coun-
try. with his loss of fortune was
inimitable. DIR. Huffman alluded to
a visit he made to Charlotte right after
the war, when everything was in ruins
and desolation. and told how General
d. III. Hill. the military chieftain of re-
nOwn, found it difficult to get ON his
feet. Other references to distin guished
soldiers and statemen showed that it is
the fate of almost every man who works
for the public to come to old age without
prepare ton for .self-support. when An
drew Jackson, who had exercised the
powers that belong ito a king. left the
White House, he had to borrow money
to pay off a mortgage ON the Hermitage"
incidentally, DIR. Hufham said he
thought Jackson did right in hanging
those men for which action he was so
roundly abused at the time) "We
hadn't come to the time" said DIR. HUFF
him. with emphasis, "when a man went
into the White House and came out
millionaire" GAS thinker, John G.
Calhoun has had mo equal. When the
time came for him to retire, he was in
debt"
With a pathos that touched every
heart, DIR. Hufham spoke of walk he
had with Vance, in Charlotte, just after
the war-he had nothing but home
fore the death of ''the last of the men of
North Carolina who, when he spoke,
could be heard in every neighborhood in
the State" when Vance told him that,
old. and nearing the time of his retire
ment he had accumulated nothing.
"Vance lived for his State. The saddest
day in North Cardinals history was
when he was carried to his last resting
place, by the side of the Salamanca. |
saw him, as the last time he ran for
Governor, he held up his hands in Ra-
leigh, saying: these hands are clean
In the days Of the blockade and recon-
struction, if he had merely kept his
mouth closed, he could have been a rich
man. He raised his trumpet voice to
drive ont the men who in reconstruction
times disgraced his State. And yet, as
he came to old age, he moaned to his
friend: T am afraid I have made a mis-
take. Now, with the shadow
of the grave upon me, I feel that ough
to have put aside something for my chill
dren." There will not come a day when
North Cardinals heart will not thrill at
the mention Of the name of Vance. If.
engrossed with the peoples business. he
could lay up nothing for his children,
how can the humble preacher, who
breaches to poor country congregation,
lay up anything? He has no time to
think OF making money"
DR.. Hufham described the death-bed
scene Of the first minister he had seen
die, and 1t was the best argument, ne
declared. for the enlargement of gifts
70 care for an old prea cher. OF his fam
ily, when God takes him from his work.
The man was loved and honored In three
counties. The people focked to hear
him: their love constrained him TO give
them all his time. "When he was dying.
7 went into his room and said: sBrother
Gordon. how is it with youT I shall
never forget his words. All right as
far as I am concerned, but'-and he
pointed TO the next room, hearing the
song of his babv's mother. Iulling their
child to sleep. There were seven chill
dren. and he had nothing to lenve them
and he continued: When think ahout
them. o, my God. can only roll them
over en- thy promises and leave them
there" This incident was portrayed
so feelingly as to carry the picture to
every eve. even though the most of them
were dimmed with tears.
have not attempted TO give even an
outline of his surprisingly ELOQUENT
speech-only a few points to indicate
the treatment. IT glowed with life and
power. It was fun OF that rnstudied
pathos that makes you love all the world