The Wilmington morning star., 1941-12-06

of these two disappointments.
The Writer
For some time he continued K
practice law, and he also wrote
many interesting historical arti
cles. have before me a small
volume of about 100 pages, en-
titled "Sketches of North Carolina
by Ex-Governor Vance," which
contains extremely well-writter
articles dealing with the first set
tiers here, the University, sketches
of noted North Carolinians, etc,
He says:
These sketches were written
under most unfavorable cir
cumstances; many were PEN
ciled off at night after a fatigu-
ing day of labor in the court
house, and others whilst on the
circuit, without books Of ref
erence, and sent Immediately
off to the editor.
The progress" Governor
In 1876 Vance was again noni-
mated for governor by acclama-
ton, and elected for the third time.
It is said that the speech which
he made in Raleigh, accepting the
nomination, was the only one he
ever delivered in which he told no
jokes and injected no hunor. He
was inaugurated on bitterly cold
day, but how warm his heart must
have been as he beheld the vast
concourse of cheering citizens met
there to greet him and to wish
him we'll.
This time the keynote of his ad-
ministration was progress" He
began at once to carry out his
ambitions for the state, handi-
capped as it. was by poverty and
its burden of care for the helpless
negroes within it's borders. He
showed special interest in these
new freedmen, and great desire
to help them. He saw that normal
school were started for them as
well as for the white students. An
agricultural station
was established, the second in the
United States, also an experiment
tai farm. The insane asylum at
Moreganton was completed as rap
idly as possible to relieve the con-
gestion at Raleigh; state geolo-
gist was appointed; several new
started; there were,
also, several valuable magazines
published in the state; and he
urged larger appropriations for the
higher education Of girls.
The Senator
Within less than three years he
was once more elected to the
United States Senate which had
for so long been his goal. Now he
went with heavy heart, for just
few weeks before the election
his wife had passed away, and
he went to Washington alone. Per
haps it was on account of his sor-
row, and, perhaps, on account of
maturer years, but it was noticed
that he, at once, became a pro-
found student of the great ques-
tions at issue in Congress, and de-
ivered great speeches, made the
more effective by his native,
sparkling wit. He had the same
deep convictions in the senate as
in the war-governor's chair, and
sometimes clashed with bitter
Union men, even with President
Cleveland; but in this, as in every
other act Of his life, he was open
and fearless. 2
He had, meanwhile, married
Mrs. Martin, of Kentucky, who
remained his beloved adviser and
helpmeet as long as he lived.
For awhile there was misunder-
standing between Vance and the
new Farmers Alliance; some for
mer friends began to lose their
old-time fervor of love for him,
and his health began to fail. He
had some troubles, disappoint-
ments and failures, as who has
not? But despite all this, he made
many speeches on many subjects
and under widely differing cir
cumstances, and always his pres
ence drew larger crowds than any
one else could have done.
After he lost his eye in 1891,
it was thought that travel might
help him, and he visited most of
the European countries, going as
far away as Egypt; but he was
homesick for the land he loved,
and returned to America as soon
as he could.
The last speech he made in the
senate was on September 1, 1898,
against the unconditional repeal Of
the Sherman law. In view of the
present agitation on tn silver
question, that speech is of peculiar
interest today. It can be found
N Dowd's Life of Vance," page
258.
The Peoples Friend Crosses the
River
In January, 1894, he went tc
Florida in search of health, but
in vain. He lived two weeks after
came peacefully on April IA, with
his family around him, and. many
true and sorrowing friends stand.
ing by.
On Monday, the 18th, impressive
funeral rites were held in the sen.
ate chamber, which was filled with
flowers, and North Carolina pines
standing on either side Of tn {
speakers chair. With great eere.
mony, the president of the United
States and other dignitaries en-.
tered, followed by the family and