Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-26

twenty-five years, in peace and in war,
was North Carolina's foremost citizen,
and whose memory the people of the
State and OF the South delight to
honor.
The monument was unveiled and
dedicated Wednesday with imposing
civic and military honors. in the pres
ence OF a great crowd. The unwilling
was performed by Miss Epsy Vance.
granddaughter of the great COM
moner," and q daughter of the late
David b. Vance, who was q we'll
known newspaper man OF North Car
DINA ut the time of his death.
THE MONUMENT MOVEMENT.
The statue stands in the Capitol
square. midway between the east front
or that building and the boundary OF
the square. while the noble memorial
erected by the State to It's Confederate
dead, First at Bethel, Last at Apo
mattox," stands at the western front.
Ihe movement to erect monument
to the Senator took shape soon after
his death. and was begun as u popu-
lar one. In this way about $4,000 was
raised. The Legislature of 1899 came
to the aid Of the movement by appro-
priating $4,000. and with the $500 it
was decided to secure q statue. There
was lively competition by artists last
summer no less than twelve Compel
Ing, but Henry J. Ellicott, of Washing
ton. was the winner. Mrs. Vance, the
widow, admired his model. which was
a study from the best photograph, and
made frequent visits to Elicott's stu
do. She also followed closely the
work on the full-szed clay model.
This pleased her. as it also did the
two committees, one appointed by the
Legislature. the other by the citizens
who had made contributions.
DESCRIPTION.
The statue IS Sls feet in height and
stands upon u base OF granite from
Mount Airy. this State. the base be-
ing of equal height. 1t was cast by
the Gorham Company. at Providence,
r. l., and when two members of the
committee went there to inspect 1t in
June one of them exclaimed as they
first viewed 1t: There's Vance!'
This exclamation was made by Rich
ard H. Battle. who during the most
trying period of the civil war was
Vance's private secretary. and who
for nearly forty years was one of his
most intimate friends. When the
statue was put in position last month
the few who saw 1T made the same re-
mark. Vances personality was very
striking. The likeness of the face and
head Is the feature OF the work.
On the base is the one word Vance"
in bold letters. That one word is
enough. In bold relief it stands out,
typical of the man who in war or In
peace was always for his beloved
North Carolina and North Carolnians.
The head is lon-like. yet kindly in ex-
preston. The artist has happily
caught the bearing of the man and
his true maniness of face, form and
pose.
SKETCH OF VANCE'S LIFE.
T.
Buncombe county, North Carolina.
May 10. 1880. He was educated at
Washington College. Tennessee. and at
the University of North Carolina. Be-
Ing admitted to the bar in 1852. he To-
Gated at Asheville, and almost imme-
diately took a commanding position in
the community and In State politics.
lie VS. first chosen County Solicitor
and in 1854 was sent to the Legislature.
When Thomas l.. Clingman was ele-
waited to the United States Senate
Vance was elected to succeed him in
the national House Representa-
tives. He took his seat December z.
1858, and then his career in national
affairs began. He opposed the seces-
sion of North Carolina. yet when that
step was taken he raised company
for the Confederate army and was
chosen captain. Soon afterward he be-
came colonel OF the Twenty-siXth
North Carolina Regiment, one of the
I1OBC famous llBnllUB ORGANIZATIONS III
the Southern service.
In 1852 Colonel Vance was elected
Governor OF his State. He at once be-
gan energetic efforts to secure from
abroad supplies for the troops of his
State. He purchased fine steamship,
winch became a successful blockade
runn-r, not only supplying the State
troops with clothing and arms. but
tlso furnishing large stores for the use
of the Confederate government, for the
hospitals and for the people of his
State. He was so earnest and efficient
in contributing men and material for
the support Of the Confederate cause
that he was called the War Governor
Of the South He was also conspicu-
GUS In his efforts to amcliorate the
condition of Federal prisoners in his
State.
Governor Vance was overwhelmingly
reelected in 1864. When the Federal
troops occupied North Carolina he was
arrested and sent to Washington, d.
c.. where he was imprisoned several
weeks. In November, 1870, he was
elected United States Senator, but was
not allowed to take his seat and re-
signed 1t in January, 1872. He had been
pardoned by President johnson in 1867
and his political disabilities were re-
moved by Congress in 1872, soon after
he had been refused his seat in the
Senate.
After this Vance continued to prac-
tice law in Charlotte. taking no part
In politics except his conspicuous eff
iorts as a private citiben to overthrow
the reconstruction government in
North Carolina. In 1878 he was elected
Governor by large majority. He re-
signed to take his seat in the United
States Senate March A. 1879. He was
continued in that body by the admir-
Ing people OF his State until his death,
April IL, 1894.
HIS career in the United States Sen
nte was brilliant one and is we'll re-
uembered. His wit and eloquence soon
gave him high ranl, ap,ono a. ,+oto-