The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1914-08-08

lauuihB dt'NcW YORK, came on to the
Union county. South Carolina.
1t was the writer's privilege to visit
Col. Thompson in his little law Office
IN the beautiful mountain town of
Walhaiia few days ago. The COL
mood, and for hours talked of the
things past. At the age OF 81, the fire
Is still In his clear eyes, the red
blood mantles his cheeks and he car
ries himself with that case and dig
nifty which naturally assumes itself on
a man whose life is crowned with
honOrs and dignities in the service of
his country and for its people.
The personal appearance OF tho
man is worthy Of note. Dressed in
neat black, in keeping with the sea-
son. with standing collar and Andrew
Jackson black tie, low-quartcred
shoes, neatly polished, and spot!css
linen, his gentility was pronounced.
But II was when lie began conversing
that the charm of his Individuality
made itself felt. The innate genti'ity
and culture of the man is distinct
without the need Of an interpreter. In
touching on the great conflict lal tn.
causes that led up to It, the colonels
conversation was remarkable. Onc
became singularly impressed with his
one desire and aim to say nothing that
would offend either the living or the
dead. The consideration shown aud
the fine manner of eliminating The
personal equation from any part of
the conversation bearing on the Sc
cession convention or the War Be-
tween the Sections itself could have
penetrated on the most Indifferent lis
tener. Lactes was admonishcd by
Polonfus, Col. Thompson gayc no un-
proportioned thought his act"
And yet this man. member of the
convention that set the irrevocable
step forwarl. bringing on the great
conflict, wl4o afterwards became an
officer OF distinction and gallantry in
the Confederate army, talked briefly
and modestly Of himself at all times.
and with extreme prudence auG mod
Grafton Of others at all times reite-
rating that he did not want to say
anything that might offend the liv-
ing or worse still, the dead, who could
make no defence. How nice dis
tinction to observe In this CONNER
cial age Here was one who lived and
exerted an influence in the portertoua
times just prior. to the War Between
the States lived through tha; bloody
epoch and has lived long afterwards
to sec his native land smile anG blos-
som like The r0se-with all his facul-
ties remarkably clear and his mind
peculiarly alert and abreast with the
present.
Robert Anderson Thompson Is the
very best product of the manhood that
was the glory of the old South --of
the old school, yes. OF the old school
where honor, and honesty, temper
ance In all things, manliness, culture
and gentility are synonyms Of that
cavalier strain that made tn. history
OF the old South a dream as gorgeous
and magnificent as the story Of the
fieid, uf the cloth oi g0ia. Knight
hood was In flower when that plnwboy
walked from his home over to- Pendle-
ton and entered the Messenger Office
as bound apprentice. !. And 1t was
history-mhkins times. too. .s All Eng
1ishman; named Miller, who was tried
In England before coming 70 America
for publishing the famous "JunIus
Letters" attacking the reign #
George III. edited. the Pendletons Mes
spnger at the time. John Caldwell
Calhoun was a; frequent "loafer" In
the Messenger Office, and Pendlston
was the eliminating center for all
the representative. iliuBtri0us, promi-
nent and near-prominent folks OF that
day and generation when away from
Char rlestonI The little apprentice
kent his cara and eyes open and Ills,
person free from the vicious habits
that early beset tho craft a.s
IS. Serving his four years and getting
Ms advance from devil, to Journey