The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-26

mical step. 1t elevates your credit
among men, We legislators OF the Old
North State; you are performing the
FIRST duty in providing for your own.
q no are ready to perish. Every dollar
Is expended among your own people, and
sor your own.
Reform and retrenchment are proper
and important, but there should be no
magic in those words to bar relief in the
face of an honest Confederate veteran
who says: Il have worked all these
years with such strength as was left
10 me-to You | lift my hands now.
Belisarius begging an ObOlus at the
gates of Byzantium was not so pathetic
rs, this sight Tho Confederate soldier
was not an emperor, but he was free
born Caroinian, and the bullet in his
body was aimed at you and yours.
1t is not for me to indicate details
that your committees with those of
Ghe Houses of the Legislature may
perfect. and | humbly pray may bring
70 an honorable conclusion. But il
would seem that double the present APP
preparation for support, or at least
$4,000 annually is called for at the
minimum, with Il proper sum for build
ing and complete renovation of the exist
ing structures. And let MS remember
that these things should not he reckoned
as charities, but rs some effort to repay
a sacred debt--a debt which represents
loving service and sacriticial duty
performed. which showers honor and
immortal fame upon North Carolina.
or all the men born of the land we
love. of the long line of her heroes on
the field. her sages in council; her states
men in the legislative balls, her juristS
famous throughout the world, North
Carolina by one consent, has turned to
one of her sons in loving regard, and
placed him here as in her heart by the
side of Washington.
This is not the hour to recount his
services to the people. from the hour
when almost a boy. they sent the strip
ling David" of the mountains to the
stormy scenes in Congress that presaged
The oncoming struggle for Constitutional
liberty. Yon know his marvellous ca
reer. You know when all the efforts to
avert the tempest were in vain, he flung
aside temptations to peace and power
and dotted the Congressional toga for the
gray, enlisting as private IN the vol
unteers from Buncombe.
You know that the quick recognition
of his manhood and power lifted him
to the leadership of n regiment in the
deld and such a regiment that grand
Goth North Carolina, that Caesar, or
Alexander Napoleon or Wellington, nay
/ VIII say Washington or Lee himself
would have been proud to command
You know, and none better than you,
A. Al, f,lt eryln 81 ns1-
ship of the State in thai dark noun of
trial, was more to them than even his
leadership of brave men like himself i'll
the field, for Captains, Colonels and
Generals lay under evary Curious eroy
Jacket, but where WAS another Vance!
Think, my countrymcn, ut this nu"r,
CT all his pains and care, his anXietles
and watcnful Iaho:s for the 'eoplc. when
hrice he held the Executive Chair,when
ty a wondrors transition he was dcs
tined to lie in prison for you and for me,
threatened with a shameful death, and
yet to break prison bars in the old cap
itol and walk the Senate chamber of
the new capitol, the grand old War G"v
ernor Of the South became tho great
tribune of the people, dying at his r'csr.
Tor the people to whom his life hal been
devoted?
In all that illustrious career, in waich'
there was so much to admire, and veneer
ate, who will deny his devoted care
for the troops in the ranks. his efforts
TO clothe and feed the ragged and s-arv-
ing men of the Confederate army. max
ing the gallant boys from North Caro-
lima the envy of their brethren from
other States, his forethought in gather
ing medicines, and sending medical help
and nurses to the hospitals and the
camps, for the wounded and suffering;
his supply of salt and other necess3iies
to those in need, and even of cards
that the soldiers wife at home might
clothe her little ones from the winters
cold.
Do you not know that these are lie
things for which good women love him
and children will lisp his name in CRATE
full accents? When the father i'll coming
ages, seeks to inStill into the hearts
of his children lessons of honesty, intec-
rity, fidelity of faithfulness to public
duty, or fatherly care for all who are
directly or indirectly committed to his
keeping, will he not tell them the
story of Vance?
Those who are honored as the repre-
sentatives of the people i'll our State
Legislature to-day are his successors and
assigns, in the confidence of their f2!-
low citizens. ] appeal to them in this
hour, could the noble old Roman be per
mitted to see his suffering and disabled
comrades lifted to comfort and peace by
their hands in the liberal and honorable
provision for the Soldiers Home, wOulu
it not gladden. that heart that will he
dear to Carolina as long as the rocks
of her mountains and the sands of her
coasts survive?
Immortal soul that lookest on us now,
Il see thee still;
'"INhou art not in the grave confined
Death cannot claim the immortal mind;
Let earth close DER its sacred trust.
Thy greatness dies not in the dust"
l cannot close these remarks without
congratulating l.. OBJ. Branch Camp.
and especially it's commander who origi-
mated the bazaar, which with the help
of friends at home and abroad, and the
work of the women of Raleigh will
raise fund for the sick and needy,
which it is said is becoming an urgent
necessity. Situated at the capital, where
Confederate veterans gather from all
rartions af tho State II na fTrallv do