The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-04-08
THE LESSON OF WADE HAMPl ONo LlTI'

LIE LESoOlNO II "HDA
Tbere are W. periods in The life of Wade Hampton that illustrate the cha.
.car q The man We speakn not of his splendid courage on the hed Of 0a"s'
ne -ortous leadership OF the triumphant Democracy of south Carolina IN $50
or his long and honorable career int the United states senate ihs 4s ~
Of all men. 10 Drawer man EVER lived md when here was ha '
courage Of the highest order all eyes IN S0u'h o'"A1
turned TO Wade Hampton in 1850 an in 1876
The periods in a mans life that test his character are lot the periods OF
success though they are not to be overlooked rs true testing me 'Ws :"
defeat in disaster, in poverty, in disappointment y this supreme test ""s
Hampton measures up to the highest test of manhood When defeat came I" "e
South in 1865, it carried more poignant regret to n heart thar 70 hat :" me
South Carolina cavalry leader. He returned TO find home IN ashes' po'''
swept away. nd was confronted with the task If making bricks without stray.
If he swore a little when the carpetbaggers and newly nfranchEfa s''
Quilted the State treasury, n doubt h Recording Angel bloted it out b' ne
bore himself with such splendid scorn of the carPet0assers and S"h Sup's"s
faith that the LAY of enverance wouldc one as to mman ne ama"D "
friend ad foe. lie knew hoy to be passive when there was ne hope OF s'0rs-
ing the rconstructionsts, without acquhscng IN any o. 'nF '"u''
measures. He knew, too, 10Y with an arm Of the faithful h we're ready "
strike a decisive blow at he given signal to prepare for the CONNECT OF 1870
The ten years of waiting, If scornfl submission to corrupt governmen drink
ing to tn drgs of he humniaung draught, CAV suengh nd wisdom i"n
cam fourteen years Of power nd unqueutonedl leadership
Afterwards came huminating defeat, retirement ito private life loss OF po"'
cal prestige, financial conditions requiring close conon and he inhr"''s OF
age He id not alwaysb bear these with patience or squanimi'y' he vas 100
mucho # a fighter to submit to defeat without resentmen But through 1t all he
never fltered in his convictions, never bent the pregnant hinges of the knee
that thrift might follow fawning'" Only a year ago when ne neeae' ne N"'
which would bring him the comforts to which h had always been accustomed
he as offered the position of postmaster of Columbia through enato McLaurin.
The JUNO Senate from south Carolina hd secured important positions for sv-
eml Democrats h were willing o sell heir brthright for a mess of rottase.
He was seeking under over OF Democracy to buld Up a respectable Republican
muv = south carouna rho nrestse Of Wade Hamptons accepting an office
Mckinley was needed to help in the inidious work hat was being lone.
The tender of the 0face vas made Those making it knew" that Gen hampton
was at val with Senator Tilmanhs policies, they believed he would be glad to
throw his great influence to tearing down Tfnmans machine I'M. they presum-
ed uon his resentmen to Tnlman to secure his nam to aid their epu0hc
opagand Put they were mistaken in their man. Without a moments hesita-
the oferw was declined with Indignation that any one could suppose h would
his principles for office. He hdn nothing in common with the Tllman
h hd contempt for McIaurnism. His refusal to- take h profeted
howed h character an independence of the man For fifty years he had
been a Democrat He had learned his political creed at the feet Of John C..
Calhoun. He was not ready, even to get even with a political enemy Of his W
to help 0ne "0 vas trying to convert South Carolina INTO a H-
publican State. There is on record no finer and nober evidence of manlines and
devotion to conviction han this last public act of the old soldier His indg-
nant refusal Of tn office as the last nail in the coffin on eIaurnism in South
Some other socaled Democrats hav accepted Federal office M now
support Republican measures but after Hamptons indignant refusal, tn man
has done 50 has lost the respect N confidence of the people of his State.
office and a lowering Of public idealsan a fippant sregard Of convictions,
South Cardinals greatest man taught a essen in high political honesty tina
have q salutary effect for all time. 1t came as a scathingr ebuke to men
who, protesting the principles of one party are ready to betray their proessed
to obtain office or official favor 1t was a much needed lesson. 1t
needed, too, to be taught a man whose needs made the refusal all the more
nageme of his wv party 10 nan. except one of rare devotion to principle
robustness OF faith could have aught hat on most needed essen
this hour Of political stiffness and hang.