The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-18
PAY TRIBUTE ID
 LIFE OF PETTUS
Camp Hardee Also Honors
 Judge M. W, Steele
MANY INTERESTING TALKS
Camp Adopts Resolutions Praising the Unselfish and High-Minded Life
 Led By Alabama's Late
 Distinguished Senator.

Camp Hardee met yesterday afternoon in its regular semi-monthly meeting in the Commercial club rooms, with a large and enthusiastic attendance The meeting was devoted principally to talks on the life of Senator E. w. Pettus, and the relation of the great stories of the civil war. Senator Joseph F. Johnston, Capt. w. C. Ward, Maj. w. E. Wales. General Wheeler, Adjutant General S. O. Hale. Dr. Jones and others paid glowing trib- ute to Alabama's great statesman, who recently passed away
 An especially appointed committee. con sisting of Senator Joseph F. Johnston. chairman ". C. Ward. w. H. Miner, J. w. Bush and R. II. Hagood reported with appropriate resolutions of the death of Senator Pettus. The committee re- ported as follows:
 'The Veterans of Camp Hardee, in com mon with all the people of Alabama feel that In the death of Gen. Edmund Win ston Pettus the state has sustained an irreparable loss, and the whole people of the United States a most faithful and capable public servant. When General Pettus died, the greatest Alabamian crossed the river to rest under the shade ol the trees where the immortals sleep. The life he lived was very full so , full that nothing could be added to tt His was life of service. There was no sel1shness in his ambition or in his la bors, nor was there any self-seeklng. He never had to consult as to the course hnnnfs nCtf I.z road. His mind had a natural affinity for the truth. and never labored to find it.
 The greatest contempt he eyer ex- pressed for a lawyer was that his mind could not distinguish the true from the false. To contend for a falsehood seemed to have impossible for him.
 When, In times of oppression and vio- lence, when the strong oppressed the weak, and when the strong arm of the government was lifted to crush the cit izen, all eyes turned to General Pettus for guidance and defense After an cleo tion, and the federal grand jury indicted the managers, who were southern men. ne was found standing for them, and between them and the powers that hun gered for their affliction, and confident ly they took refuge under his strong arm.
 His greatness was exhibited not so much in what he said as for what he stood. There were times when he said the greatest things in the greatest way. There were times when to overwhelm a vainglorious antagonist he could indulge in a vein of ridicule that was irresistible.
 ''1e has left no successor Men may rise who may do as great works as he did, but they will not do the work of Pettus. When shall we look upon his like agaln?"
 general discussion of the great life work of Senator Pettus by number of the members of the camp took place, both the humorous and pathetic sides being exposed and several of the talks were very interesting.
 committee appointed to draft reso- lutions on the death of Judge Matthew 1 w. Steele reported as follows: Whereas. 1t has pleased the AL mighty, in His infinite wisdom, to call our distinguished friend and former commander Capt. Matthew w. Steele, to his final rest after he had served out his four score years with great honor and credit to his neigh bors, his friends and the whole country; and
 "Whereas, the better he was known the more highly he was esteemed, for integrity of character, for courage in q most exemplary modesty; which gave assurance to all who became acquaint- ed with him to say, there goes one of natures noblemen;' and
 Whereas, he did honor to every posi- tion held in public life; he graced every society, and was blessing as q father to his family; therefore be it
 Resolved, That we hereby express our regrets at the loss of such a com rade; and that we extend to his family our sincerest condolence.
 Resolved, likewise, That these reso- lutions be spread upon our minutes.
 Most respectfully submitted by your committee,
 SAMUEL l.. ROBERTSON,
 "J. F. MCLAUGHLIN,
 ID. R. DUNLAP.