It is due to Mr. Dewar to say that he looked upon the General as 'a foeman worthy of his steel.' In returning thanks to his supporters, he frankly acknowledged that 'we have won a victory against the strongest and most gallant opponent that could have been put in the field, and I rejoice to say that the contest has been carried on with the utmost courtesy and good feeling on both sides.' These words, spoken, as it were, in the very heat of the {170} controversy, were more than confirmed some six months after, when the sad news of the General's death on the battlefield reached Edinburgh. The annual meeting of the South Edinburgh Liberals--which was intended to be of a social as well as business character--was held on the evening of the 13th December, the very day on which the news came; but instead of going on with the programme of proceedings, it was resolved out of respect for the General's memory only to go through with the ordinary formal business and then adjourn, Mr. Dewar remarking, 'that having regard to the sad intelligence just received, it would be utterly out of place that anything in the nature of a social evening should be held.... When he stood before them in that hall a few months ago, he had told them he counted it an honour to be opposed by a soldier so distinguished, and a man so eminent and thoroughly respected as General Wauchope. As the election proceeded, their regard for him increased day by day, and now that he was dead he felt as if they were in the very presence of death; ... and every one would agree that the proper and respectful course to take was to give their last tribute to a man who was a gallant opponent of theirs, and who became their friend; and they should place upon his grave a wreath of respect and regard.' The chairman, in seconding the proposal, said 'he had frequently come in contact with General Wauchope at the election, and it was remarkable that during the whole contest, however keen it was, their opponent never uttered one single word he had cause to regret. No election,' he added, 'was ever fought with more good feeling than the contest between Mr. Dewar and General Wauchope.' And as showing the entire accord of the large meeting with what had been said, the audience in {171} silence, and upstanding, signified their sympathy with the resolution, and quietly dispersed. General Wauchope's political contests were thus characteristic of the man. There was the set purpose, the indomitable will; no shrinking from declaring what he thought was the truth, but an ever dauntless standing up for the right at any hazard, all combined with a modest diffidence of his own personal merits, and the utmost respect and courtesy for his opponents' opinions. It has been said, 'he makes no friend who never made a foe'; but the General had a happy way of turning his political foes into fast friends.