The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1915-02-02

OF some old poet. and read with
trembling voice some grand q glow
ing words addressed to mans truest
ambition, that thrilled our souls like
found silence was evidence OF n
deep attention Of the class, and the
hour passed almost before we knew
it had begun.
II afterwards learned that this lee
ture was intended for my benefit, as
I was a stranger to the class and
had entered it under some disadyant-
ages, and in his kindness Of heart he
supposed l needed some encourage
ment. 80
Il had the honor-and | consider 1t
both an honor and a happy
to be on terms of confidential intimacy
with him from my first INTO
the University until his death. We
were in the utmost accord on all QueS-
tons pertaining to Church and State,
and during my subsequent career
especially in those t%roublOus years Of
| war-I consulted him more frequent
ly perhaps than any other man in
the State, except Governor Graham.
So affectiOnately was his interest in
my welfare always manifested, hat
many people supposed we were rela-
tives, and / have frequently been ask
ed if such were not the fact"
ThiS sentiment Vance always fully
reciprocated. Twice during his sub
sequent career, in crises big with fate
for his country, he manifested the
| deep affection that he felt for Gov
ernOr SWANS person and his conf
| dence in his ability and wisdom,
founded upon their association at
Chapel Hill, by entrusting him with
| commissions of the highest IMPORT
ance to the State. One of these occa-
sions was in 1864, when, at a critical
moment, he rendered to Governor
Swain the appointment as Senator in
the Confederate States Congress-: the
other was his selection Of him in 1865,
as one of the Commissioners to ar
range with General Sherman for the
surrender Of Raleigh. On the former
occasion he reinforced his other rea-
sons for SWANS acceptance Of the ap-
pointment, by declaring: In the next
place it would afford me infinite sat
isfaction for you to receive this mark
Of confidence (the greatest it may
ever be in my power to beStOW) at my
hands."
At University One Year.
Though he was at the University
but one year, NanCe took an active
part in the various phases Of college
life. His activity in the Dialectic So
ciety has already been mentioned. He
was initiated into the bogus fraternity
called the Mystic Circle, or the En-
pire of the Grand Mogul, the object OF
which was fun and social recreation
THE self-possession n mother-Wit
Of the novitiate," say DR.. Battle
were tested by the questions Of the
Grand MOgul and his officers. 1t was
, admitted that the late Senator Vance
when he joined, discounted the
Questioners by his apt retorts." Vance
was also initiated into the Greek-let.
ter fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta, {
chapter of which was founded at the
University soon after his entrance
When the University Magazine wa:
revived in the spring Of 1852, he wa!
selected as ~ Of the editors. Hi!
services in that capacity, however
were soon Gu short by the close O
/ from the University. OF his depart
ure, one Of his classmates, James j
Slade. afterwards an eminent teache.
5 OF Georgia, writes as follows:
"My last sight Of him produced
: humorous sense Of pleasure that ha
: grand heroic days that have passe'
since then. He told us goodbye il
f front Of Miss Nancy's hotel, an
mounted the stage coach going west
We waved our hands to him, n a
e he put his o o upon the front Whee
to take his seat with the diver, h
r made an effort at a pun. q play upo,
s the wheel. which was SO badly pu
e together that we were unable to re
. construct it. Some OF us told him t
: persevere, he would succeed afte
e awhile. Nothing daunted he shot an
r other at us. and left us in pleasan
! remembrance OF him. We never me
afterwards SO as to speak together
d though we passed FAC other on tn
S field in Virginia."
Z. Grateful to University.
d For the University and for tn
n friends whom he had made there
many Of whom remained ever his con
slant n loyal supporters-Vance a.
It ways felt the sincerest gratitude an
the purest affection. Upon his cleo
: ton as Governor in 1876, he wrote t
d Mrs. Spencer:
n You know my heart is with tn
J. old University and it gives me req
d pleasure to be in a situation to b
n useful to it."
J. Again. in 1879. Immediately ate