The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-08-23

of his last public appearance in that
city. 1t was on the evening of Novem.
Der /, 1892, and the occasion was tina
Mr.. Ham, a distinguished Georgia orator
and wit, by invitation addressed the
citizens in the largest auditorium of the
city. At the conSluslon of his speech,
Vance! Vance, was the sound which
burst continuously from the immense
audience, as the applause for Mr.. Ham
subsidized, and as the noble ''Zeb' arose,
the people went wild. Old men, young
men, women and children jumped to
their feet, waving handkerchiefs and
hats and cheering until the very build
ing seemed to rock. Not person an the
house remained seated. Many stood on
benches, hats were thrown up and such
an expression of love, affection and es-
TEEN was never shown to any son of
North Carolina at any time or anywhere
as was expressed in the great ovation
over Vance. On the rostrum every man
rose and, following Mr.. Hams lead, all
waved their handkerchiefs and cheered
for fully ten minutes. 1t was great
demonstration, and one that did honor
even to the loved Senator. AS he stood
on the rostrum amid the deafenlng
cheers of his people, he looked like a
grand chieftain leading his people and
guiding them simply by his presence
1t was a scene the like of which was
I have said nothing ABOUT his last
days and hours, when life was slowly
ebbing away. No. Those scenes are
too painful for friend to revive. l
will not tell his kind words of thanks to
the servant who waited on him to the
last, nor the affectionate jest with which
he greeted a brother Senator, the last
permitted to see him in life, nor of the
tender parting between him and wife
and son. Suffice it to say, he met the
last enemy with the manly courage with
which he met all the conflicts of life.
But, ] may be asked, have you. not
painted our hero too perfect! Had he
no faults? Yes. he had his faults, as
all men have. But his faults were in
significant compared with his great vir-
tues, and could not dim the splendor of
his character. And so he stands, as in
loving memory we see him, totuS tereS
atque rotundus. SO with Mt. Pisgah,
the most symmetrical of the great noun
tains of the Appalachian chain. Stand
at It's foot and you see inequalities in
the surface of its steep ascent, barren
rocks and deep chasms. They mar its
symmetry, In measure, burt they do
not impair the grandeur of it's giant
forests, climbing toward its lofty top,
nor hush the sound of it's limpid rivulets,
while to the beholder, removed afar,
or but little distance away, it stands
lures handiwork, sublime and beautiful
Born May 10, 1880, and dying April IA.
1894, how much of labor well done, of
duty well performed, of glory nobly
achieved, in those siXty-four years of
mortal life! In the admiration and graft
tude of his State he will continue to live
as long as North Carolina shall be Il
State And in that other life, the higher
life, he will live, we fondly trust to all
eternity in that home prepared by Him
who says to every son of man who has
done his duty here, "Well done, good and
faithful servant; enter thou into the joy
of thy Lord"
A few words about the statue itself.
Not long after Senator Vance's death,
a few of his friends in this city met at
the Governors Mansion. on the invita-
ton of Governor Carr, and formed an as
ISOLATION for the purpose of erecting Il
bronze statue of Vance in the Capitol
Square. Governor Carr was made presi-
dent and Hon. a. \. Thompson, ex-