The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-08

wade Hampton H3aee So-Day.
Tho Charlotte Daily Observer, in
commenting upon recent editorial
in the Daily Mail on the matter of
circus history in south Carolina. mis-
understood one statement that We
made.
Tho Observer Inferred that A.
FIELDS conversion to Democracy was
due to the finest exhibition of horse
manship lie ever saw. given right in
the ring By no less d parsonage than
General Wade Hampton" We may
have got our cocnparatives and super
iat:yes mixed, but the meaning that we
intended 70 convey was that Mr. Field
had never seen in the ring-either in
the old tanbark days or In the mod
ern sawdust days-any finer exhibi-
ton Of Craftsmanship than that OF
General Hampton.
In the good old days before the
large plantations were barred by the
scythe of war. General Hampton had
as fne e stable of racing horses as
ever was bred IN this country He
was q thoroughbred himself. and was
in the saddle as soon as he could walk
1t was natural for Hampton TO be
a rider. for his grandfather before him
wa. one o. the most famous riders
y
virgin country. AMI Colonel Wade
Hampton. the second Of the name.
rode all the way from New Orleans 20
Columbia changing mounts frequently
but taking no rest himself, and brought
the Joyful tidings of the aHnlntiatioh
OF Packenham's grand army by the
forces commanded by that eminent
south Caroiinian. Andrew jackson
Tho ride Of Colonel Hamptons Is a
suitable and deserving subject for an
epic
The WADE Hampton whose memory
we revere most greatly, could. though
MANNED. sit a horse a. calamity at
eisbty-tive as most young troopers
now can do IN the prime OF life And
there was never more glorious
sight we have been told. than wade
Hampton riding at the head OF his
column going into charge the mos'
wonderful broadswordsman that this
country mas ever produced. ne has
hsveI his way through circle or
valiant foes. and dashed away to
safety.
He was beautiful rider and was al
vays rrandIv mounted. ie was as
much a part of the movements Of his
steed as IL he were a satyT. Me horse
perhacs. TOO fery for others of the
bravest OF riders. instsnctively knew
its master and curvetted proudly to be
mounted By such a mar. But Il was
when the trurnpeteT had given the
stirring notes of the charge thai Hsmp-
con was supermoral He was a noble
presence at all times. but in battle an
oriflamme.
In his youth his father had ? race
course cast OF Columbia where the Ep-
worth OrphansEe now Is, and some
Of the greatest horses in America have
been there. No rider Of the plains was
more skiIful than Wade Hampton, TO-
with the ease and grace Of grand
dame Of the ballroom he could ride A
magnificent animal at full speed, pick
I'D a hat from the ground and never
show signs Of exertion-
IL was this great riding rot the
b-oadswordsrnan OF many sanzuinsrv
conflicts. not the dashing cavalier OF
the snte-belIun Columbia. but the
calm. seIf-contained. fearless citizen.
the man Of all hearts In South Caro-
lima quietly riding TO and from his
home that won the admiration OF our
friend
And Hampton rides TO-DAY. FFis
glorious aSu-e IL pcrpetuated IN bronze
upon the grounds ~ the Capitol ~ the
state which he 50 much helped TO save.
Md his spiri; rides on. hrs great noble
spirit Of honor and caudor. 81 nustreSs
ana fairness. End south Carolina viii
ever follow In the example that he has
set Of k.ndess and % forgiveness. Wade
Hampton rides to-day. His great heart
pulses no more. but his E-cs: nfe 70
cord - en- inspiration 20 cheer the