1908. CONGRESSIONAL -RECORD-HOUSE. Since we are called upon so frequently to contemplate death built on the battlefields where American valor won and lost. and know that we shall before long explore the "uncharted Faithful historians will record the facts free from the preju­ seas" ourselves, let us contemplate it as a state less mysterious dices of the hour and can not fail to make mention that the and even more natural than life. The only thing we need fear one side was right under the strict consh·uction of the Constitu­ about it is that it may catch us using life unwisely-with empty tion and the other side right under the changed conditions of hands and work all undone. public sentiment in their respective communities. The philo­ The brave man learns, as the soldier does, to put the fear of sophical historian of the future will not fail to record the his own death behind him, and if he think of death at all it will achievements in civil life of the men who returned from the l>e at such times when the scythe has cut down some loved one armies to their homes-often to desolate homes, where there or some honored friend and colleague, as is the case with us was more than one vacant chair. · this hour. On the Southern side it required more moral courage and For himself there is no fear. No man can afford to waste sh·ength of character to meet the stern duties· and pressing re­ his thoughts and time on death. The work we are put here to sponsibilities of life than it did to face the mortal perils of the do demands our energies and powers. Just in proportion as we battlefield. Heroes they were called in war. Greater heroes were do this work faithfully will we be held in esteem by ovr fel­ these men in peace. For their sacrifices and toils in building lows-our names recalled with pleasure and our memories up their wasted fortunes; for their patience under the recon­ revereu by the generations that follow us. · struction laws; for their manly triumph over innumerable diffi­ In the death of CAMPBELL SLEMP, Lee County, Va., bas lost culties, due to burdensome taxation and constantly falling prices, an honored and useful citizen, and the Ninth Virginia Dish·ict the world will some day mete out to them full praise in story a Representative who was honored by an election for three and song. succe si ve terms in Congress. The company and regiment that Colonel SLEMP led in the en­ He was a man of action and his life was one of achievement, as gagements to which we have referred were among these men. we may well infer from the period of his birth and the condition They averaged perhaps 25 years of age when the curtain fell of southwest Yirginia at that time. Lee County is that extrerpe upon the tragic scene at Appomattox, and for the most of them southwest section of the Commonwealth of Virginia, running at Cumberland Gap. Lee County had suffered greatly, though like a wedge for a number of miles between the State of Ken­ not so much as the counties that I have the honor to represent tucky on the north and Tennessee on the south. In the youth of on this floor. These men, with their comrades, have made that SLEMP no railroads penetrated the mountains of Lee County. county rich by their enterprise and their labors. l\Iany of them, Stock were driven through the Allegheny .Mountains or up the like Colonel SLEMP, were men of intelligence and force of ~har­ Shenandoah Valley to Baltimore. Goods were hauled long dis­ acter, and became, as he did, leading figures in the civil and tances to market over mountain roads. The people were poor, business life of his section. while great ricl:Les were hidden beneath the rugged mountains In 1878 they elected him to the house of delegates of Virginia that look eternal. over several competitors. In 1889 he was nominated on his These very conilitions, however, helped to produce strong-and ticket for lieutenant-governor and made a thorough canvass of practical men who developed self-reliance and determination. the State. He was often selected as chairman of district and These characteristics were observed by those who. were thrown State conventions and was elector in the Harrison and McKin­ with Colonel SLE::UP. After attending the schools in Lee County ley campaigns. he was sent to Emory and Henry College, one of the oldest The people of his district, who were better judges of his life institutions of learning in southwest Virginia. It is said that at and character than we, who were only thrown with him in the Emory and Henry he was not only a diligent student, but one of ordinary business of this House, bestowed on him their highest the most popular. Then, no doubt, developed those traits that honors, and elected him over talented men like Wysor and made him a favorite with his fellows in civil and military life Bruce and others. · and giving him at the age of 21 a captaincy in the Confederate Southwest Virginia is Republican for two reasons not well States of America. understood on this floor. The old-time Whigs inherited their It is shown by the Confederate records that CAMPBELL SLEMP opposition to Democracy. Even the most conservative of the entered the Confederate senice September 16, 1861, at Camp Clay Whigs had to be graduated into the Democratic ranks Lane, Lee County, Va., as captain Company A, Pound Gap through the name of" ConservaUve Democrats." Battalion, afterwards known as Company A, Twenty-first Bat­ A great number refused to take the degree. In 1878 a third talion Virginia Cavalry, Confederate Stutes army. He was party, the Readjuster party, swept the State, producing bitter­ promoted to be lieutenant-colonel, same battalion, date not ness of feeling and dividing the Democratic party. Its success stateu, and he was reported present with the organization on was made possible through the negro vote. It soon ran its April 30, 1862. On November 2-:!, 1 G2, the regiment was con­ course, and when the flood subsided it left a few strong and solidated with other Virginia troops to form the Sixty-fourth many good men in the Republican party who had hitherto Vir<Yinia Infantry, Confederate States army, and he was ap­ affiliated with the Democrats. Like many revolutions, it had its pointed colonel of the new regiment, to rank from December compensations. It taught some Democrats to conquer their 14, 1...62. prejudices, and it impressed nearly all with the stern necessity The Union sentiment north of Lee County was strong-that of holding to the " ancient landmarks." in East Tennessee was still sh·onger-yet the people of Lee The members of the grand old party of southwest Virginia County, for the most part, were loyal to their State and the can not be designated by their complexions altogether. A Confederacy, and furnished their full quota of men to the bright little girl of 7 years of age in my hotel from one of the Southern army. Southern States, addressing a gentle and comely lady from New These men under SLEMP were engaged at Pound Gap and Jersey, said: '"Are yon a republic?" The lady replied: "Yes; I were there opposed by Colonel (afterwards General) Garfield. am what you call a republic." The child quickly replied: "Well, Later this command was sent over into Kentucky, wllere it you are too good looking ; you are the best looking republic I took part in many skirmishes with the Union forces. ever saw." Had the little child been raised within the shadow of Returning to Virginia, Colonel SLEMP organized the Sixty­ the mountains of southwest Virginia or played along the banks fourth . Virginia Regiment, of which he became colonel, and of the limpid streams that flow on forever she would have with this regiment operated in Virginia, East Tennessee, and met as many fair "republics" as ever watched from the Jer­ eastern Kentucky. The services of his regiment practically sey coast the incoming tide from old ocean's wave. ended at Cumberland Gap in 1 65, where General Frazier and Mr. Chairman, the laws of compensation corpe to most his command was surrendered to the Union forces. The union men as they journey through this bustling, active life that the records of prisoners of war show that Colonel SLEMP was pessimist describes as a " vale of tears." paroled May 2, -1865, at -Cumberland Gap, Tenn. Men like Colonel SLEMP, who had to be the architects of their In the death of Colonel SLEMP another of the ex-Confederates own fortune and struggle heroically against adverse condi­ of this House has fallen on sleep. In the Fifty-fourth Congress tions, are often comforted, as he was, with children, who grew there were thirty-two of these men here. To-day we number up around him with advantages and opportunities that were seven. In the Southland they are falling more rapidly than they deni~d him. He looked upon these as beings of new hope and feU in battle, and on the other side, those by whose deeds of labored well to educate them. If from the spirit land we valor we may well measure our chivalry and manhood a·re fall­ shall watch the scenes being enacted here, our deceased col­ ing at the rate of 300 each month. league beholds with delight and gratification his seat filled by The conflict in which they engaged will soon be only a his own son.