The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-03-24
THE PASSING OF HAMPTON
The Times Change, and We Change
With Them.

About twenty years ago Wade Hampton
because OF serious accident TO him, lay fol
days and weeks so III that his most inte lllgenI
and most intimate friends were In doubt us tC
whether he would survive. At that time al
of South Carolina-each. individual citizen
felt deep personal In terest in the fate Of the
beloved and honored Carolinian. Whenever
two persons met the first question usually
asked was about Hampton's condition. Bull.
letins we're not Issued as TO his condition, and
newspapers and the public could ascertalr
the physical symptoms OF the great sufferer
Every tongue spoke his name, and every
heart felt that the fate OF our best beloved cit
izen Wavered In the balance.
We believe the above Is q correct statement
of facts.
Last week this same beloved Carollnian was
Washington, and those who attended him
thought his time had come. Seemingly, the
newspapers had no trouble In reporting bis
condition daily.
recollect to have seen or noticed any interest
IN the fate OF the distinguished Carolinian In
his recent Illness. Except as q factor In max.
Ing the history OF 1876, he seems to have pass
ed out OF mind.
There are, OF course, many old friends who
feel lively interest in him personally, yet II
is true that In twenty years new generation
has come on the stage OF action. He has
been practically a citizen OF Washington for
twenty years, and there are today in South
Carolina few men OF forty years Of age, who
ever saw Wade Hampton.
Having lost the touch OF the elbow with the
people, and having passed from power, the
politicians may regard him as back mum
ber. even If they are not opposed to him. Fol
these reasons the people do not manifest thai
extreme anxiety for him today that they felt
for him twenty years ago.
In 1876 he led this people as no other man
ever led any other people. At least ninety OF
n1nety-fve per cent. OF the white men OF the
State were enthusiastic supporters Of Hamp
to- od hIvr, nNf nIx,
their approval and their votes, but they con-
tributed thousands Of dollars by voluntary
payment OF money Into the Treasury 10 ena
BILE him to prosecute the cause OF "Horne
triumphant and for \ time he was the idol ol
the people.
He was chosen to the leadership OF that
campaign largely because of the love OF his
the battles OF the Lost Cause. And. while the
politicians have deserted him on every hand
yet we believe that 1t Is fact that his old
comrades In arms are today as true to him as
they were twenty years ago, but their mum.
bers are small, and their influence is not TO-
dav what 1t was twenty years ago.
Old soldiers are true ana steadfast In the1r
friendship, and may be relied upon. But pol
iticlaps are sometimes governed as much by
policy as by principle. and are liable To
change their minds and set their sails 10
catch the popular breeze.
In Wade Hampton's history prominent
politicians may learn lesson. even II they
do not see their own fate reflected. Hampton
went to Washington with the good will and
moral support OF all South Carolina. He was
{, the choice Of all the people.
In 1890 the people turned upon him, and his
place was filled by new mana man who
was at that time not well known. He filled
out his six years at Washington. and now
another holds his place
The same wave OF popular sentiment that
swept Hampton from the political arena a lso
retired Senator Butler, few years later, and
Governor b. r. Tillman became the Senator.
Tillman was enthusiastically supported by
twO-thirds of the people, while about one.
him. If he remains out of South Carolina.
and becomes practically citizen of the city
OF Washington. 1t Is only question of a little
time when he will become In fact citizen OF
South Carolina.