ADDRESS OF MAJOR HANSON.
It would be impossible at this short distance in point of time from the final struggle in which Mr. Grady yielded up his life, to form a just estimate of his character, his attainments and his work. These have passed into history, and will survive the mournful demonstrations of his people, because of their loss in his sudden and unexpected death.
To many of you he was personally known, while, with the people of Georgia, his name was a household word. In his chosen profession he will rank with Lamar and Watterson. With these exceptions, in the field of Southern journalism, he was without a rival or a peer, while, as an orator, his brilliant efforts had attracted the attention and won the plaudits of the entire country.
His speeches before the New England Society, at Dallas, Texas, Augusta, Georgia, the University of Virginia, and finally at Boston, constitute the record upon which must rest his claim to statesmanship.
While the people of the South, with one voice, approve the purpose manifested in these matchless efforts to maintain the supremacy of the Anglo-Saxon in the public affairs of this section, there are differences of opinion with reference to the methods, which, by implication at least, he was supposed to have approved, for the accomplishment of this purpose. If, at this point, there was real or apparent conflict with the broad spirit of nationalism, for which at other times he pleaded so often and so eloquently, it is but fair to attribute it to the supreme conviction on his part that, through white supremacy in the South, by whatever means maintained, this end was to be secured.
However we may differ with reference to the methods which, as a last alternative, he would have employed, or their final effect upon the institutions of our country, we recognize the great purpose which inspired his efforts in our behalf. Because this is true, the people of the South will keep his memory green, whatever the opinion of the world may be with reference to this question.
In the material development of the South, and her future prosperity, power and glory, his faith was complete. He labored without interruption during his entire career to promote these great results, and impressed himself upon his section in its new growth and new life, more than any man of his time. The wonderful growth of his own city was due to the broad liberality and supreme confidence in its future with which he inspired the people of Atlanta.
Phenomenal as his career has been during the past few years, he had not reached the zenith of his powers, and what he accomplished gave promise of greater achievements which the future had in store for him, of increasing fame, and for his State a richer heritage in his name. It is doubtful if he fully understood, or had ever tested to the limit his power as an orator. As occasion increased the demand upon him, he measured up to its full requirements, until his friends had grown confident of new and greater triumphs.
We shall miss him much. His faults (and faults he had like other men) are forgotten in view of his service to his friends, his home, his State and his country, and of his untimely death, when the highest honors which his people could bestow were gathering about him.
If he had not reached the meridian of his powers, he died in the fullness of a great fame, and we turn from his grave sorrowing, but not without hope, for we leave him in the hands of that Providence which knoweth best, and doeth all things well.
Judge Emory Speer, for the resident alumni of the University of Georgia, said: