The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-06-09

welfare. Az a man he loved hunting
riding and was. indeed. fond of every
, manly sport. The impression borne
in upon us by Wade Hampton's life
during that period is that here was
one who. inherlting wealth. lands. So
cial position and possessed of learning.
and taking an active part in the
world. wae sound to tho core. main
tanning dignity without pretense. exer-
cising power without harshness using
wealth without sordinesn and exhibit
Ing in his unspoiled personality the
!ui! fruition OF the civic and social
forces in tho society OF the South.
More Than Conqucror
1T is not, however. at Gettysburg.
where tho heroism of Southern SOL
diery still thrills the heart. nor st
even the recall OF Picketts charge:
II was not In tho Wilderness. where
as the battle wagnd to and fro bodies
OF slain mon piled themselves up high
er than the breastworks: II was no,
at the dread encounter at the second
cold Haroor: II was not in terrible
scenes like THESE. though Hampton
bore himself heroicslly. standing 10
the 'front.' rank of the defenders OF
his country, that he shone reepiena-
entity In all the true greatness OF his
manhood. Great os he was as SOL
der, greater still he was as q states
man. In tho nery charge of the bat
palm OF victory. The real test OF
Charles came after Pultowa in the
long years 80 Bender. In the inglor-
ious return to his country. and in his
obscure oeath. Tho reverse was true
OF Hampton. In his career II was
II tho sun had travelled all day. OBJ
scured by darkenss and threatening
clouds. shifting only toward eveAtne
to let the sun burst forth at last In
All It's splendor. lighting up all tho
Ia dHcape and mountain peaks with
glory II It great thing TO achieve
victory. II Is a far greater thing to
turn defeat into victory. This was
the primal e1cellency OF Wade Hamp-
ton.
He was more than conaueror. Col
onei Ball. one OF the noblest soldiers
that Mississippi sent to uphold the
Confederate cause. once told me that
While he was commanding battery
at tho foot OF mountain on his left.
firing vigorously at the enemy directly
ut his front. there suddenly dashed
around force OF cavalry, which took
him by surprise drove his command
from It's place, seized the battery. and
turned HIS own guns upon him and his
men retreating. Colonel Ball said that
it waH while he was rushing through
the forest with hts cannon rafting
around him that the meaning OF that
Scripture flashed upon his mird-'more
than conquerors
Such Is the renown that attaches TO
Wade Hampton when he wrested VIC
tory from defeat. and out OF the social
and political situation in this State.
PROSTATE and gasping In the aftermath
OF the war. there shown forth In him
those qualities OF moderation, calm
ness. courage. devotion to high ideals,
willingness 10 forget, a resiliency OF
purpose to adjust oneself to a changed
TIL >.IA ~ t-t&
Cancellation and human sympathy that
brought order out OF chaos, mastered
the mind of men, won national recog-
milton. restored to something OF its
original prestige in the councils OF the
nation. both this State and the people
who had rescued II from the carpet
Dagger. the scalawag and the befooled
The character OF Hampton is a
challenge OF every citizen of this
State. What he wrote wes the result
of moral worth rather than particular
acts. The signal service which he
rendered TO this State and nation are
,sonality. History often shows that
tho salvation of a city depends on the
presence of a few good men. IN ac-
cordance with the condition laid down
by the ancient patriarch of Israel in
his prayer for Sodom.
"Mirabcau has been already men
toned In the beginning of this ad-
dress When Franco was in the throes
OF revolution, he became by reason of
his political sagacity the inevitable
tribune OF tho people and the unwel-
come adviser OF the court OF Louis
XVI. Seemingly. he, and he alone.
could save the State. He WAS pro-
phetically conscious OF this unique
position into which destiny had thrust
him, His ability was transcendental.
HIS insight into political conditions was
uperrng. The course which he pro-
posed meant tho salvation OF France
And yet he failed.
Why? 1t was for the lack of char
acter. Mirabeau's personal friend.
Dumont. tolls us: He was go fully
aware that. IL he had enjoyed personal
consideration all France would have
heen at his feet, that there were mo-
ments when he would have consented
to pass seven times through the fiery
furnace to purify the Iame OF Mira
beau. have seen him weep with
grief, and heard him say almost suf-
focated With sobs. II am cruelty ex-
plating the errors OF my youth"
Ono thing thou lackest was ever ring
ing in his cars. In dying. therefore.
he exclaimed: I carry the shreds Of
the monarchy with me to the grave
Wade Hampton. being thrust By
destiny into n somewhat analogous
position In the history CT South Car.
olina. was able to redeem the State
and set 1t upon the path of power by
reason Of having Just what Mirabeau
Observation-Disclosures. AS WashIngton's
character was the centre Of gravity of
the American cause in the time of our
struggle for independence. so the char
acter of Wade Hampton was the focal
point OF the affections and purposes of
the patriots of 1875 in their efforts to
restore this proud State to It's former
efficiency in government and prestige
In the national councils. The achieve
rnents OF Hampton may mean loss and
less as the generations pass. hut the
character Of Hampton will stand out
more and more clearly In Its essential
attributes to the posterity OF the peo-
pie OF this State for ell time to Gomez