The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1902-08-13

an antagonist who was deficient In SUI
qualities, and like Stonewall JacksC
and Forrest, he was constantly doir
the unexpected, doing something
making some movement for whiC
there was no rule lald down in I'll
books. AS sportsman and perfe'
horseman he had learned the value {
secrecy and celebrity of movemen
The result was the enemy was battle
and misled, and often unprepared fc
the audacity and audiences of hi
attacks.
No sketch of the military side G
General Hampton's character, as i'm
perfect even as this may be, would b
satisfactory that did not make som
mention of that band of invaluable as
sistants the mounted scouts. Shadburn
and Hogan, and Scott and Sparks, ant
Ashby and Doolin, and Griffin and th
other rollicklng, fearless, daredevil
cavalrymen detailed from their respec
tive commands for special service, al
scouts were literally the eyes and ear
of the general officers Of cavalry anc
through them the commanding genera
of the army. They operated between
the lines of the two armies, often with
in the enemy's lines, exercising a hold
audacious, sleepless vigilance, relying
upon their nerve aid cool courage and
upon their faithful horses and ever
ready trigger, they rendered services
to their generals and country of incal
culable value. All honor to the gal
liant, dashing fellows who watched
while we slept and kept us advised of
every movement of the enemy. If
the true, unadorned story of their ex-
ploits could be written they would
stagger the credulity of any reader.
That story will never be written, but
II General Hampton could be con-
suited, l am sure he would approve
my word of commentator of these
adventurous, faithful aids in connec-
ton with his life.
And now word as to his services
to his State since he sheathed his sword.
In that connection, too, it was my
good fortune to be intimately associat-
ed with him, and am scarcely willing
10 trust myself to speak in detail, for
fear l may Inadvertently and almost un-
avoidably indulge in egotism, which is
never IN good taste.
His wonderful leadership in that
great and memorable political revolu-
tion in this State in 1876, his election
and installation as Governor, his sue
cessful administration of that high
office, surrounded by such apparently
hopeless difficulties, his prominent
part in connection with his fellow
in rescuing the State from
the depths of political degradation and
establishing peace and
law and order where there had recent
ly been reckless debauchery in the
public service, starting tho people
again on the road to prosperity, public
and private credit by his wisdom, saga
city and patience, his election to the
United States Senate where his scholar
ly attalnments, high character, un-
selfish fidelity TO his State and country
reflected 80 much renown and honor
upon that State and country, are all
events of such recent occurrence that
L need not do more than advert to
them.
l violate no confidence and L trust
no rule of propriety when say of my
own knowledge that when he was
turned out of this high office, where
he was serving his constituency so ac-
ceptably and ably, he suffered the one
great grief of his life, which shrouded
his declining years in sorrow and re-
gret. Not that the office was essen
tial to his happiness or peace of mind,
but In view of his great and illustrious
services and sacrifices for his people
and country, he had right to expect
them TO say: Well done, thou good
and faithful servant"
General Hampton bore this disap-
pointment with patience and charity
for the authors of the injustice, and
never relaxed in his love and devotion
to his State. He was sustained
through life by composure and
equanimity of demeanor which nothing
appeared to ruflle, by high, exalted
right-mindedness and unselflsh, self.
sacrificing patriotism, by abilities and
,attainments of very high order, by
an unswerving fidelity to duty, by the
endowments, qualities and manners OF
gentleman.
These principles, reinforced and
strengthened by assurances and belief
in the sufliciency and power of faith
in his God, sustained him in death,
and will support and comfort him in
that endless, boundless, fathomless
state of eternity.
Let me commend to you, my old
veteran friends, survivors of the great
eat and bestarmies that ever struck @
blow for good cause, and especially
to you young people, let me, with an
affectionate benediction, commend to
you the glorious, splendid, illustrious
life of our departed comrade, and his
equally glorious death, when he
breathed almost with ms last gasp
" Peace on earth, good will to man,
In the long years of our intimate
pers onal and political association il
times of high excitement and anxiety
when the ambitions and passions ant
sometimes resentments of men were
excited, never harsh or unkind wore
passed between us. This, to me, is {
source of intense satisfaction and con
ISOLATION.
The entire estate of William Lidder