Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 32.djvu/154

 142 Southern Historical Society Papers.

pointed out as a marked and most distinguished member. His in- fluence in the councils of his party in that body of many giants was powerful, especially as to Southern matters, and whenever he spoke he had the close attention of both sides of the chamber a distin- guished honor enjoyed by a very few. He was modest and unas- suming, yet zealous in any cause he espoused. He was plain and simple in manner, approachable and affable, yet there was a dignity that was impressive and commanded respect. He was fond of a joke and enjoyed an anecdote, but neither must be coarse; if so, his frown showed his displeasure. In the society of ladies he was as gallant as a chevalier in the days of knighthood, and his language was as chaste as the icicle on Diana's temple.

Mr. Commander and Comrades of Lee Camp, for you and on your behalf I accept this portrait of General Wade Hampton, and for you and on your behalf I authorize the gallant soldier who pre- sented it, and who, though a Virginian in every sense of the term, wooed and won his bride amid the magnolia bowers and palmetto clusters of South Carolina I authorize him to return to the Wash- ington Light Infantry Battalion our hearty thanks for their valuable gift, and to assure them that it will have a choice place among the multitude of portraits of the South's true and loyal sons that adorn these walls.

Mr. Commander and Comrades, somebody has said " that a room hung with pictures is a room hung with thoughts." Then how a glance around this room must inspire thoughts thoughts of ensan- guined fields, heroic deeds, glorious achievements, blood and car- nage thoughts of martial powers, sufferings and sacrifice thoughts of comrades who fell at their posts of duty, and comrades, just as true, who survived the shafts of war, but now

" Sleep the sleep that knows no breaking Morn of toil or night of waking."

in Oakwood and Hollywood and other consecrated spots, where the grass is kept green and flowers are scattered at each recurring memorial season by woman's hand, where the cedar and the holly grow, and nature's songsters, undisturbed by the hunter, warble their sweetest lays.