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:
JUDGE SPEER’S ADDRESS.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: It is instinctive with civilized humanity to honor the illustrious dead. This animating impulse is as practical and beneficent in its results to the living, as it is righteous and compensating to those glorious natures who have consecrated their lives to the service of their country and of mankind.
The youthful Athenian might contemplate the statue to Demosthenes, and with emulation kindled by the story of his eloquence and his courage, might resolve that his own lips shall be touched as with the honey of Hybla, and that he will, if needful, lead the people against another Phillip. The Switzer lad, bowed before the altar in the chapel of William Tell, will unconsciously swear forever to defend the independence of his mountain home. The American youth, standing where the monument to the Father of his Country throws its gigantic shadow across the tranquil bosom of the Potomac, with elevation of soul and patriotic animation will exclaim: I, too, am an American and a freeman. And, sir, this characteristic of a generous and great people finds unexampled expression in the conduct of our country towards the memory of its soldiers, its statesmen, its patriots, its philanthropists. They are enshrined in the hearts of a grateful people.
Their deeds, as they deserve,