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: