The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1902-04-15
WADE HAMPTON.

Full of years and Of honors, IN the
ouietness of his own home and sur
rounded by the members OF his family,
Wade Hampton wss gathered TO his
fathers. He had passed his four score
years. And yet there was genuine sor'
row throughout South Carolina when
the news of his death was received
Few men have been honored as he was
living and few have had higher tribute
paid them when dead. He bore his
honors with becoming modesty and
when for time it seemed that his peo-
pie had forgotten his services to them
when they needed wise counsel and
leader with sober judgment he never
complained, but manifested that nobili-
ty of character which is characteristic
of the truly great man.
AS q cavalry leader in the trying
times of war he had few equals and no
superiors. He loved his State and wnen
the call to arms was made he viewed it
as the call of duty and went to the front
and the Hampton Legion goes down in
history with record untarnished. he
was in the forefront of the battle until
arms were stacked at Appomattox
and the flag of the Confederacy was
furled forever. He retired to private
life and gave his energies to repairing
as best he could his lost fortunes.
1t was a touching scene to see the
survivors of the Hampton Legion with
their tattered banner following the
bier of the beloved leader to his last
resting place.
But as great as were the services OF
Hampton in the trying times OF '6l-'65,
his greatest service to his State and his
people was in the still more trying
times of 1915. The State was PROSTATE
and in the hands of carpetbaggers and
scalawags and needed wise leader.
All eyes turned to Hampton and he re-
sponded to the call and the State was
redeemed, and once more the govern
ment was placed in the hands of the
white people. No man was more loved
Or, more honored at that time than
Wade Hampton, and his good judgment
and wise counsel had much to do with
the redemption ofthe State. Twice be
was elected governor and twice United
States Senator.
In these positions he was always true
To his trust and was unsel6sh in his de-
votion to his State and his people. He
was patriot and loved his people. In
this age of commercislism and selfish
and designing politicians it is pleasant
to contemplate and study such life as
Wade Hampton's. It should prove a
benediction to the young men OF this
day. South Carolina is proud of his
life and its influence cannot but prove
a blessing to the people OF the State
for generations to come. The sponta-
neous outpouring of sorrow at his death
as manifested in the tributes which
came from the mountains to the sea,
but evidences the esteem in which he
was held by the people whom he had
served so we'll and whom he loved with
the devotion of true patriot.
Old comrades in arms and the sons
of old comrades from all parts of the
State attended the funeral to pay q
last tribute to his memory. 1t was a
grand sight to see the old veterans with
bowed heads and bleeding hearts fol-
low the remains of their old leader to
his last resting place. We suppose there
never had been as large funeral in
this State, and it was not a State funer-
al for it bad been his request that there
be no demonstration at his funeral.
And still there must have been twenty"
five or thirty thousand people present.
All of Columbia was present. and train
loads came from all parts of the State,
and some from other states.
He was a grand old man and too
much honor could not be paid him, not
for the good it may do him, for post
mortem flowers cannot help the dead,
but the good it may do the living.
He died as he had lived with a bene-
diction on his lips for his people whose
welfare was ever his greatest solici-
tude. His last words were: "All my peo-
pie, black and white-God bless them
ALL"