The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-09-08
VANCE THE GRE ATEsT MAN.
5is influence Most Powerful, Thinks a Cor
respondent of Wilmington Messenger.

Editor Messenger: ! have been inter-
ested in your discussion OF North Caro-
lina'6 greatest man
There is a greatness because Of high
station; a greatness because of heroic
action; a greatness because of unusual
thought; greatness because of extra
ordinary endowments; a greatness be-
cause of important services rendered to
ones country or to humanity.
A king and his ministers are great
men, though they may be dull and
stupid. With u.s. high station is for the
NEST part attained only by men of I'M
usual parts; and so it is generally an
evidence Of greatness. But 1T is not
conclusive for even with us men of mod
crate abilities sometimes attain positions
OF eminence.
Mr.. Macon held no higher official station
than Mr.. Mangum, and indeed since Mr..
Mdngum was the presiding officer Of the
Senate longer than he, and at a time
when there was no vice president, Mr..
Tyler having become president, Mr.. Man
gum attained to relatively the higher sta
tion.
In endowments Mr.. Mangum was I'M
doubtedly the superior. In the influence
they exerted, Mr.. Mangum probably
ranked the highest.
In real services to the public, to the
State, to humanity-what of either?
My own idea of greatness is great
thoughts or great actions concerning
momentous subjects impressing ones per-
sonalty upon his generation and innu-
encing the conduct of men for the attain
ment Of como high purpose.
If that be substantially the tombstone,
bring Mr. Macon and MIR. Mangum to it.
Nor should we forget Mr.. William A.
Graham. also highly endowed; also IL
iustrious; also capable of great thoughts;
also filing high public station with great
capacity and usefulness.
Nor Mr.. George Davis, who think waa
superior to all these
Nor Mr. CASTOR, in some respects. the
most superior man of the State.
Nor. Mr.. Badger whose endowments
and attachments made him eminent along
with Webster Clay and Calhoun.
Nor Mr.. Dobbin, who was equal to the
best of them.
But after considering them all, do they
not fail far short of Vance in thought,
in action, in public service. in the infiu-
enco they exerted on momentous ques-
tions?
Certainly Mr.. Davis was cast in diff
fercnt mould from Vance he was of
nobler nature, superior to him in many
of the elements of greatness. But no
other North Carolinan since the Revo-
luton has ever impressed himself upon
the people and led them in works of high
resolve and rendered such great public
service, uniting great thoughts and great
actions, as Vance did. / hazard little in
saying that for thirty years vance's word
carried more weight than the word of any
other North Carolinian, at any time after
the revolution.
In/the earlier years of the Revolution
Caswell was very potential: but later
rhe lost his masterful influence. Alex
ander Martin seems to have held high
er sway Indeed Martin was a very great
man. applying any test you may choose
But Sam Johnson was regarded as much
the greater man: while Iredell and Davis
and Moore were also superior to him.
The farmer finds variety in the discov-
cry of new species of crop-destroying
insect each year.
The gSearest tronainl /.