The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-08-15
GENERAL MATT W. RANSOM.
"The NobIest Roman of Them ALP
Still in the Power and Vigor OF his
SPLENDID Mental Faculties.

ne modest Roman OF lHcH All
Still in the Power and Vigor of His
Splendid Mental Faculties.
Rich Square Roanoke Chowan Times, oth.
Today our distinguished countyman
and the States first citizen, General
Matt W. Ransom, by special and
urgent invitation, addresses a gather
inc of survivors of old Confederate
veterans at Kenansville. He has ac-
cepted an invitation to address the
State encampment of the old veterans
at Wrightsville next Thursday. Per-
haps no citizen Of the State has
warmer place in the hearts Of the
men who followed the Lost Cause"
than does Gen. Ransom. He deserves
this recognition We have been told,
hundreds of times, by men who fol-
lowed him, that he was the same
kind, considerate and courteous gen
tleman while leading great armies and
in battle as he has been since in pub
lie office and as private citizen.
The historian of the present, or the
next generation, is not likely to
acCOIu NIcu hdnooIll PlOPOi paw
in history. 1t was SO with his great
kinsman, Nathaniel Macon, whom we
regard as, perhaps, the greatest
statesman North Carolina has pro-
duced
After serving his State and country
| for nearly quarter of century with
| distinguished ability in the highest
legislative body in the world. Gen.
Ransom retired to private life on his
farm, in debt and comparatively a
poor man; while many others, in like
condition when they entered, and
with the same opportunity, became
millionaires. This speaks volumes
for Gen. Ransom's honesty and devo-
ton to duty. Since his retirement to
private life he is rapidly accumulat-
| ing fortune by farming, and at a
time of great agricultural depression,
| He is now the largest cotton farmer
in the State.
We have never heard Gen. Ransom
make what we consider a great
speech, though able critics accord
him high rank as an orator. among
them the venerable and able DR..
Kingsbury of the Wilmington Messen
ger, who recently said this of him:
General Ransom is as effective anL
eloquent as he was in 1917. when be
delivered the address of welcome to Pres
dent James X. Polk, and one OF his cabi
net Mr. Mason, OF Virginia. That ad
dress was delivered with much perfection
of art, and greatly pleased the audience
| General Ransom is not yet an old man
| He was born in 1928, and is not quite
| Seyenty-five. He ncOmmand audiences
now as few men in North Carolina have
commanded them in the last hall century
| He is stately, impressive and at times al
| aglow with OratOry. 1t is strange how
soon men in their prime are shelved OF
relegated to the room OF retirement az
antiquated, sterile and decadent when il
fact they are able to command listening
Senates" or to stir the great patriotic
multitudes into fine frenzy by TIL
witchery of their vOcalizatiOn and fervO
OF their high oratory.
The most eloquent speech we eve
heard Gen. Ransom make was a shOr
impromptu address delivered at thu
funeral of his neighbor and life Ions
friend, Rev. William Grant, a Metho
uiSt uiIulsbCl IL was oOUu dltCl CCI
Ransom had been appointed U. S
Minister to Mexico. 1t was beauti
full and eloquent tribute to the life
and virtues Of his neighbor and frienC
and brought tears to the eyes OF {
large number who heard him. w
remember that many of the old color
ed people on hearing that he had beer
appointed Minister to Mexico express
ed grave doubts about General Ran
som being "qualitied'' to preach
but after his funeral Grafton at thu
grave Of Rev. William Grant thei
minds were somewhat changed
Other notable efforts of Gen. Ransom
were his announcement to the United
States Senate of the death of Senate
Vance, and later his address in tn
Senate on his life and character
They were the most beautiful of tn
kind we ever read. They equal Bel
Hills eulOgv of Lee