Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-05

honor. That was not TO be. lie left the
Senate In March, 1861, following not ths
suggestions Of personal ambition or his
own interest, but ths hard and rugged
path OK duty. Very soon afterwards the
Commonwealth of Virginia sent him as
one OF her representatives, to the new
government at Montgomery. He per-
formed that mission. On the 2lst OF
July, 1851, he was called by President
Davis to take the position OF Secretary
OF State for the Confederacy, from
which Mr.. Toombs. OF Georgia, had re-
signed He filled that important trust
with eminent ability until the new, or
permanent" Confederate, Constitution
and Government went into operation on
the I'D OF February, 1862.
Prior 10 that event the Commonw alth
OF Virginia elected Mr.. Hunter. and as 1
| remember, unanimously, TO the Confede-
| rate Senate. 1t was o most critical period
| and demanded the greatest ability and
resource. both In the executive and legis-
latlve departments of the already hard
| pressed Confederacy. Mr.. Hunter was
| made president pro tempore of the Sem
ate. His influence was great and COM
| handing. His advice. counsel, and in
huence were not only felt and welcomed
In all the great measures OF military de-
fence and equipment then adopted, but
even In the selection OF officers for i'm
portant commands. He was steady
friend OF President Davis in respect to
all the great measures Of detencs and
supply. He had the friendship and con-
fidence OF Mr.. Davis and his Cabinet;
OF James a. Seldom, John A. Campbell,
Graham, Cobb. Lamar, Curry, Letcher,
Bococh. Harvle Caperton. Joe Johnston,
and Robert Il. Lee. He was one OF tho
first to discover and appreciate the superb
genius Of Stonewall Jackson. He eoun-
selled often with Robert Lee, relied
on his rlpo judgment. and gave him his
fullest support In all fiscal and econo-
mic measures he naturally took the lead.
Respecting and trusting Secretaries Mem
mlnger and Trenholm, ne, nevsrthe-
less. originated all the general features
OF Confederate finance. With an infant |
republic, compelled by powerful adver-
sary to incur an enormous war expendi- |
ture, and not able to export its surplus |
products or even fully 10 raise them for |
the markets. IL Ia not strange that Con-
federate money should have sunk 10 so
low an ebb as Il finally Gid. The only
wonder IS that II did not fall much earlier
and more rapidly. We may recall with |
instruction and profit the fate OF the as
sgnets OF the French Revolutionary Gov
eminent and OF the Continental money OF
our irst Confederacy OF 1T6 Had the
second Confederacy proved military
success, as did the first one. and as the
first French republic did, possibly tho
fertile mind OF Hunter might have been
able 10 devise some solution OF the fnan-
cial problem based on ripe experience
and study OF modern conditions; but |
after four years OF noble and fearful |
struggle against gigantic odds, our right
ecus cause went down In gloom and dis
aster. All was lost save honor. The pub
lie careers OF Hunter, Davis, Lee, and
many more were virtually closed at this
point; but their names, the memories Of
their splendid services their virtues. and.
still more. their sacrifices. will never be
forgotten by the people of the South or
by the pen OF history.
TO SAVE THE SOUTH.
Mr.. Hunter realized towards the close
II the struggle the hopelessness OF a pro-
racted contest, and he was anxious to do
TO save the South from total
ubjugatlon and a conquest without any
erms OF peace. The problem proved an
mpracticable one, for reasons on which
may speak another time. but his mo-
ives weTo humane, disinterested. and
IRE. as they always were. The blame
or failure belongs to the ambitious men
I Washington who, seeing final victory
lmost in their grasD. would not spare
ither southern misery or northern blood
n their stern purpose to become absolute
masters of the situation. The Govern
lent OF the Union being thus re-estab- :
shed by the sword. Mr.. Hunter regarded
as his duty to accept the Union IN
God faith, and, as a good citizen, TO CO.
perate with patriotic men IN every sec
lon TO restore the reign OF law and Or I
er and the Federal Constitution. This A..
as the sentiment OF Virginia and the :
outh. II was deeply unfortunate that Z
us sentiment was not at once recog-
zed and acted on by the dominant 3
lrty, instead OF adopting. as they did q
he policy OF hate, military rule. and dis-
Men like Hunter. Camp Z
oil, Baldwin, stephens, and Leo ought 4,
, have been invited 10 public positions. q
help 70 restore the old Union, and |
len, instead OF a vulgar sectional con-
lest, keeping the South as a mere pro- ",
nee for long, weary years 20 be harried u
I'd plundered and He'd about. there would re
Ave been a genuine restoration Of the q
MON and a rapid growth OF the old ma Y
onal feeling. in which consists the real ~
rength OF the Republic. Well did the e
oquent Koesuth say: Hatred 10 no good ~
unsellor." No government built on hate
n stand, or ought 10 stand
IN this sketch have omitted much
ID have elaborated nothing. A regard
: your time. and for the superior know h
ige OF many OF those around me. ad- ~
onishes me TO be as brief as possible. "a
will not elose however. without aver |. ,sr
10 my belief that not even George bs'
ash!ngton himself Ito whose character ~ ~
d services Mr.. Hunter has rendered or
; most original and instructive tribute 10
er uttered by mani was more pure. dis
crested. and patriotic than he was In
public action. Gtntleness. charity.
truth were bound UP In his very ma -,
re-. or malice he had none. He was in.
devoid OF ambition. but he had none In
the vulgar arts Of self-seehins. and W.
distinctions which came to him so sd
en- came unsousht lie was easy OF a. w.
'ess. affable TO the hunbiest citizen. r.,
Iays open 10 the suggestion and ad- 20,
Q Of his friends; never dogmarie or sil'
putatious, never rash or aggressive. to-
his time Of greatest prosperity and
yer he was modest almost to difYidencs. n
len trial and adversely came, as they VI