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

Your hatterng request for my "esti-
mate of Vance and what l deem his most
conspicuous service to the State" re-
| minds me of the very high opinion of his
| character and services formed and ex-
pressed by another clergyman whose judg-
ment in the premises is far more valua-
Bile than my own. In the dedication to
| that very entertaining book-"Htstori
Doubts as to the execution of Marshall
Ney" by the Rev. James A. Weston, a
loyal son OF the State, well-versed in it's
history, and himself a gallant Confederate
soldier and liberalization Baird Vance
is spoken of as 1.-THE bravest of the brave
in all that is best in craftsmanship and
North Cardinals greatest SON."
Whether this language be too strong
or not-and Vance himself modesty declar-
ed that it honored him all too highly
this much, | think, is certain: no man
in North Carolina ever had such a hold
upon the affections of his constituents as
Gov. Vance. The people admired and
loved him as they admired and loved no
other man.
And in the cause of this popular affec-
ton amounting almost to idolatry. we
have, l venture to think, his highest
claims to greatness. He was, always the
friend of the people, and the fearless
champion OF their rights. He had the
courage OF his convictions in all matters
of State or National policy and was 1.-The
bravest Of the brave" in his defense of
the right as he saw it.
Like the ideal Democratic government
which he always so ably advocated, he
was himself "of the people, for the people
and greatly and deservedly honored) by
the people"
/ love to think of Vance rising from
the ranks of the common people-a noun
tain boy battling with difficulties, but
always forging to the mountaineering by
his winning ways, his charming frankness
his rollicking humor and quick and ready
wlt-attracting all about him and hold
ing them as with hooks of steel, his fast
friends forever l love to think of his rare
and steady development in all those noble
traits that make for manliness and cour-
age, and in all those higher qualities of
the useful citizen, the trusted leader of
thought and the true patriot: l love to
recall his rapid rise in all the honors that
the State can bestow on her fayorite son:
as North Carolnian I am proud of his
reputation as an orator and statesman:
| love to think of his fine presence, his
personal magnetism, his captivating ad-
dress: | feel proud of his distinguished
services on the hastings and the plat
form and in the Legislature; 1t is some
thing to be proud of to think how more
than once in trying ordeals and severe
crises in our States history-our own
matchless Vance by his personal popu-
larity and responsiveness, his zeal and
ability and courage saved the people
whom he so loved from impending calam-
titles; 1t is pleasure to recall his record
as soldier and how especially in the
camp and on the field by his eloquence and
enthusiasm he inspired his comrades in
every branch of the service and from
every Southern State with renewed devo-
ton to the cause of the Confederacy; one
feels justly proud of his distinguished
services in the United States Senate
where he measured lances and always
held his oWn--with the ablest men OF
the country. Ones pulse quickens and
his heart swclls with pride at that pathet-
ic yet heroic picture of Vance at the very
height of his brilliant career sacrificing
an eye in the discharge of his duty as he
saw it to his constituents and his coun-
trymen-laboriously tracing the intricate
mazes of the Tariff question, and leaving
in his published speeches, as a part OF
his congressional record the clearest and
most satisfactory eXpositions of that
much involved and vexing measure that
it's long and able discussion brought
forth. Because of all these noble quail
ties and distinguished services of Zebulon
Baird Vance, commoner, soldier, legisla-.
tor statesman, governor and Senator ev-
cry North Carolinian has abundant right
to be, and IS justly proud; but for one,
/ most like to think of him as our War
Governor and in that character and capac-
ity so often ascribed TO him and which
he so fully sustained-that of the Great