Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-11-23
STATUE 10 HAMPTON.

GContinued from First Page.1

But at last 1t is in George Washing
ton that the strongest likeness Is
found. Washington, like Hampton,
was independently rich: there was
every reason why he should have for
saken the cause Of the struggling col
onists and gone over to the side OF
Great Britain, particularly when New
England was scheming and plotting
against the country. But the thought
found no lodgment in that noble
heart. Somebody has said that WASH
ington was free from the meaner
vices of mankind, that there was moth
ing small in his makeup. This was
eminently true of Hampton. Defeated
by a political combination and retired
to private life, he had the same love
for his people, and his last words
were words for his people, asking
Gods blessing on all the people, white
and black. He had thus risen far
above petty meanness and spite, and
passed away as patriot should, with
a blessing on his lips.
General M. C. Butler.
Gen. M. C. Butler, who delivered
the oration today, has been all his
life associated with Hampton. He
was with Hampton during the war, in
the same branch of the service. At
ter the war he was the first Democrat
elected to the United States senate,
preceding Hampton there by three
years.
General Butler is a nephew Of Com
modore Perry and is on every side
connected with the best of American
life. His ancestors came into the
woods of upper South Carolina long
before the Revolution and during that
conflict served with great distinction.
n,,f hxy hn CCQ6nr
at the Yorktown celebration as the
most distinguished looking individual
there, he Is the prince imperial of his
generation. Today In his age he Is
perhaps the most eloquent living
South Carolinian.
1t was, therefore. peculiarly appro-
pirate that NJ. G. Butler should deliver
the Grafton and fortunate that he is
spared to do it. Just few years more
and all the men who were associated
with Hampton will have crossed over
to be with him always in the fields OF
asphodel.
Description of Monument.
A more particular description Of
the monument is given herewith:
The figure itself is mounted on the
plinth which rests on the pedestal and
the successive bases. The pedestal
contains a deep groove into which Is
cemented the plinth supporting the
horse. Nothing short OF an earth
quake can even move the monument
and even then the figure would not be
damaged, so solidly is 1t cast.
The handsome metal plates on the
base and pedestal show in brief the
career of Hampton and 1t is appro-
pirate that they should be surrounded
by filigree work Of the leaves OF the
palm and oak-the former signifying
glory and the latter strength and i'm
mortality. Here is copy Of the in
scription:
West Side.
Governor of South Carolina 1876
1879. United States senator 1879
1891. Bentonville, Brady Station,
Sappony Church, Cold Harbor, Hawes'
Shop.
East Side.
Born March IS, 1918.
Died April II, 1902.
A Erected A. d. 1906.
North Side.
Commander of Hampton Legion.
Lieut. Gen. c. S. A.
Thevillian, Seven Pines. Burgess Mill,
First Manassas, Gettysburg.
The names refer to the battles In
which General Hampton took prom
inent part.
There were so many ways in which
Hampton has benefited South Caro-
lima that it would be hard to enumer-
ate them. He put the soft-shell turtle
into the Congaree river, he stocked
many rivers with red-fin trout, he
filled South Carolina with blooded
stock and cattle, even bringing over
pedigreed hounds. He was in all
senses of the word, a public benefac-
tor.
Loved by South carolinians.
The large crowd that assembled to-
day to do him honor Is one of the
many evidences Of the love of the peo-
pie Of South Carolina. He belonged
to the whole people. No section or
heritage of every South Carolinian,
and the thought Of him causes glow
of pride in every South Carolinian's
heart.
What few selfish interests may have
opposed him while he was alive, no
longer feel resentment, and as the
years roll by 1t becomes clearer than
ever how great he was, how he shoul-
dered up above the common herd OF
men, not by privilege Of birth, not by
heritage of class, but by the possession
OF the qualities or truth ana nonor ana
courage, with enduring loyalty to the
land of his fathers and with unselfish
devotion to the cause of man.
The crowd came from every part OF
South Carolina, every shade OF opin-
ion, every sect and race were alike
present to do him honor. The out
pouring Of affection as general as 1t
was, is equally genuine.
Now the legislature voted $4,000
for the purpose of having this statue
erected, on condition that the citizens
Of the state should contribute half as
much more before the appropriation
became available. The $4,000 was
promptly contributed as a free will
offering by the people, and, therefore,
the monument has the inscription,
Erected by the State of South Caro-
lima and Her Citizens"
1t is an equal honor to both, for the
privilege of possessing such a citizen
as Wade Hampton does not come Of
ten in the life Of any people.
OF South Cardinals illustrious dead.
Calhoun and Hampton stand forth
alone-far above all the rest-kings
of their day and generation.