The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-03-10
Remarks Of Senator Gary in Honor Q
the Late Senator A. c. Latimer.

I1G Idle OGtIdkVi n W. AoAiihSis
MIR. Gary. Mr.. President, men of exalted
character and civic virtue have ever ceen
thought worthy OF admiration ana tneir
memory worthy OF p~erpetuatiop. Through
ont the land we have erected and are each
day erecting monuments IN honor OF those
who have been conspicuous for the posses
sion of such attributes. III Is tne nosse OF
are lined with monuments TO her consuls,
generals, and senator's, men who have done
Some service for their country.
Impelled by the same sentiment and actu-
sted by the same desire TO put on record our
appreciation Of exalted character and worthy
citizenship, we have this day paused IN our
Iabors and laid aside our calendar 10 honor
one who exempliaed In the highest degree
exalted character and worthy citizenship
one who has done some service for bis coun-
try. Surely, Mr.. President, on such occasion
| should add my voice TO the chorus OF praise
friendship I had the honor TO enjoy, and
who has done much service for the Ststs l IN
A distinguished queens counsel has said:
"Tbe highest gospel Is q geography
And he we'll adds
s is the life of every good man"
A casual study OF the career and character
Of our departed friend will demonstrate now
well his lie illustrates this aphorism. That
be was q good man no one will deny. When
an account shall have been given OIL the
deeds done in the flesh many Will be the ACTS
/ OF Den6VOleuC6 II oCCoo Vi aeASo ~ A
credit; for like Abou Ben Adhem, he loved
his fellow-man. He was ever ready to lend
a helping land to such as might need his as
sistance. But his was no DESTINATIONS giving
plaud, but rather after the fashion OF that en-
|joined in Scripture. which says:
"When thou doest aims, let not thy let'
hand know what thy right hand doeth..
Not only was he q good, q benevolent. ano
a kind-hearted man, but he was a man Oh
statesmanlike qualities as well.
He dipt into the future far as human eye
could see" and ere 1t was too late he sounded
the first warning note TO the people OF my
State against tina steadily deterlorating pro.
| cess which goes on on every hand apace-
that process OF whose danger Horace Bush
nell once said.
THE constant importation, as now, Into
our country of the lowest orders OF people
! from abroad, to dilute the quality. OF our
natural manhood. is a sad and beggarly pros
Tuition OF the noblest gift ever conferred Cd
q people,"
Senator Latimer entertained similar senti-
ments, and he proclaimed them IN no IN
the wisdom TO heed his timely warning while
| we are yet q homogeneous people.
Then, too, Mr.. President, as another In
| stance OF his statesmanuke qualities and OF
| masses, we might mention his insistent urg-
inc OF our people to build better roads and
| build them upon scientlhc principles. 10
you people of the North this may mean out
II lttlp, D6CRub6 yOu law q oiiSoNy, ooh ~
us OF the South, to US who for centuries have
| been accustomed TO and satisfied with roads
| that are a hindrance to progress and Inc oe
velopment of our. natural resources, such
stimulation as was given by mis- eloquent
ongue was sadly needed. With US he was
the pioneer along this line, and at times he
seemed almost as one crying In the WIDER
ness. His insistence and ~eluquence nave al
ready borne fruit, and had he lived q few
years longer be would have witnessed a full
realization Of his hopes.
Did time permit l might recount the many
blessings our people now enjoy as q direct
result OF his work In establishing free deliv-
cry OF our mails in the rural districts. In
this, If be was not the pioneer, he was. al
least, the earnest. ipsistent, and eHectVe
worker. Indeed, Mr.. President. bis unceas
teripg the condition Of the masses.
It has been said, however, that he was not
An educated man. II by the term educated
Is meant "trained In college walls" the claim
tion signifies such training as fits one TO
think theoretically and with concentration
along right lines, then he was essentially an
educated man, albeit that education was not
received In college walls nor at the feet Of
some mighty Gamaliel. He was what might
be termed a "selfeducated man."
Born and reared on q farm, inspired by
the observations OF nature In It's purest form
and BY the teachings of God-fearing parents.
he early learned to cherish high ideals and
lofty aims. With such q foundation upon
which to build and being possessed OF robust
health, strong common sense, and q keen and
less b most men that lack OF college train.
ing, regarded by some as indispensable 10 the
highest development. He was, Indeed, an
other illustration OF what Burns so aptly
"The pith O. sense and pride o. worth
Are higher ranks than a. that"
IL Is true that he took no conspicuous part
In the great debates In this Chamber. yet he
-, n lupoy of hil n0gt NJ dnfV 6V0r ready 10
take advantage ofaDy opportunity to befriend
bis people and ameliorate the conditions OF
the masses. But OF his work as q legislator
and OF his usefulness as q Member OF this
body, there are others better qualified to
speak than I.
But II seemed fitting, Mr.. President, that I,
who nave known him from early manhood
till his untimely end, should speak OF hin as
me that 1t is proper that I, who was In a posi-.
ton TO observe II, should convey to this body
some idea of the profound sorrow that was
felt and manifested throughout my State
when II was learned that Asbury @. Latimer
was no more. When II was learned Mr..
President, that the Black Camel had knelt
at bis door, that In the midst OF life, duty,
and usefulness his sun Of life had gone down,
the people felt that their friend and tribune
had gone, that they had sustained a loss they
could III afford. But his career is ended: his
noble work is done; and the world is better
for bis having LIVED in IT; BY bis work the the
better and happier, more contented and
more comfortable. The present condition OF
progress, Improvement, and happiness in the
rural districts is a constant reminder OF his
friendship for his people, and on account oil
tn s his memoir will ever be cherished by
them. But 'let US seek no further his merits
10 DISCLOSE"
Let us conclude this Inadequate tribute by
repeating. as applicable to him, the words Of
one OF South Cardinals most eloquent sons,
who said of another:
"He acted throughout life on the maxim
hat in morals 1t Is more to deserve than TO
command Success"
He has left to his children, to the State of
his birth and home a precious legacy of the
Lesson Of his life. May II be an inspiration TO
us all, may we strive to initiate bis worthy
example, n may his untimely taking of be
to us a reminder that the young may die, the
old must die, and the wisest knoweth not
o soon.