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_From the “Athens Banner.”_
HENRY GRADY has done as much for his country as any man, be he living or
dead. He has stood by his people and their institutions, and his pen and
his voice were always heard in their defence. Henry Grady died as he
lived—battling for the good name of the South, and in defending his
people from the slander of their enemies. In their grief over the death
of this brilliant young journalist and statesman, his section will shed
as bitter tears as were showered upon the bier of Jefferson Davis. One
died full of years and honor—the other was cut down in the prime of
manhood, and spread out before him was the brightest future ever
vouchsafed to man. His loss to the South is irreparable. There is no one
who can take his place.
But the beautiful traits of Grady’s character were best known to his own
people. He was as true to his friends as is the needle to the pole—his
hands were ever open to appeals for charity—he was loyalty itself—his
heart was as guileless as a child’s and as innocent as a woman’s—his
whole aim and ambition was to do good, develop his section, and stand by
his people, and do manly battle for their good name and their rights.
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