Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 32.djvu/185

 Judah P. Benjamin. 173

He was one of the gifted sons of the South vyhen the Southland held the ruling power of intellect in the national councils the peer of any man then on the floor of the United States Senate. The highest law courts of the country were enlightened by his great legal lore, his brilliant oratory, his profound arguments. In all that trying period of fierce struggle and deadly trials and heroic efforts, memorable months and years of glory and renown and final disaster, he was one of the noble and devoted men who gave his all to the glorious cause, even to the sad day of Appomattox, when

On Flodden's fatal field

Where shivered was fair Scotland's spear,

And broken was her shield.

He was a noble and gifted man, and, as Hon. John Goode said truly and well, " the great Judah P. Benjamin."