The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-08-22
HIS GREAT SERVICE FOR LEE.

Of the great men Of North Carolina OF
whom this writer has had personal obser-
walton, Vance was, taking him for all in
all, the greatest. Swain was very re-
markable man. Graham was a states
man Of imposing dignity. Mitchell was
man of wonderful learning. The Elder
Ruffn and Pearson were great in legal
law and judicial acumen. Badger and
Bragg in cIean-cut analysis and foroeful
argument stood at the front. No one
has surpassed Henry w Miller, as an
orator But in the varied and combined
endowments that go to make up the truly
great man, Vance rose superior to them
ALL He had genius, wit, humor, learning
and a personal magnetism that was IRE
sistible He was kind generous, sympa-
thetic, cheerful honest patriotic and no
BILE. Never a man loved his State ana ms
people better than Vance, and never was
a man more devotedly loved by a people
AS a speaker Vance adapted his style to
the circumstance and surrounding ana ne
was equal to any occasion, before any
audience His political speeches on the
hastings were models of popular oratory.
His literary addresses contained NOBLE
thoughts in pure, and elegant English.
His analysis of Swains's character was
fine. His Scattered Nation was unique
His address before the army under Lee
in Northern Virginia was grand. 1t was
so inspiring, so full of patriotism and de-
yotion. and had such a profound effect
upon the soldiers that Gen. Lee declared
that it was worth, to the Confederates,
reinforcement of 80, 600 men; and Gen. j.
E. E. Stuart said that IF the test of elo-
quence is it's effect, this speech was the
most eloquent ever delivered" His speech
cs in the Senate were those of the schol-
ar the orator and the statesman, and
they placed him in the front rank OF the
leaders of thought and action in that au-
gust body. Vance grew and expanded as
long as he lived, and had his life been
spared for another decade, history would
have written him down as among the very
abIest statesmen of America. The most
conspicuous service that Vance ever rem
dered TO the State was during his term
as "War Governor" Never did he occupy
a position so delicate and perplexing and
difficult to fill as this, and never did he
fill n position with more skill and wis
dom. He managed the scanty resources
of the State with skill. He organized and
sent to the front more brave soldiers
than went from any other Confederate
State, and no soldiers were better cloth
ed and fed, better Cf1cered, or did better
service. He provided for the orphans
and widows and prevented threatened suf-
fering and starvation in many home. He
harmonized discordant elements and kept
the people united. His sympathy and care
EXTENDED even to the Federal prisoners at
Salisbury. He infused a genuine spirit Of
patriotic enthusiasm into the noble wo-
men of the State and with heroic self
sacrifice did they minister to the wants
of the needy, the sick, the suffering and
the dying. 1t was in the administration
OF his high Office as War Governor that
Vance deserves and should receive the
everlasting gratitude of the State, and
his highest need of praise.
A. II. MERRITT.
9I ,Fittsboro, n. c.. August 20, 1900.