The weekly sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1886-1887, 1886-05-13

unknown to either the North or
South. Eminent botanists from
Europe, as we'll as those of America,
have been induced to spend years of
research among our mountains. The
results of these labors are evidence
of the richness and beauty of West
ern North Cardinals vegetable pro-
ducts. To use the words of one of
her most worthy explorers: In
all the elements which render forest
scenery attractive, no portion of the
United States presents them in hap
pier combination, in greater perfec-
ton or in larger extent than the
mountains of Western North Caro-
lima" What more splendid array
of economical advantages was ever
presented? What more inviting
field for botanical study? Mark
now the requisites of glorious
future which are combined in unique
perfection in the description of
Western North Carolina. A de-
lightful and salubrious climate which
unites the invigorating atmosphere
of Minnesota with the moderation of
Florida; a catalogue of material
productions and of industrial advant-
ages that defies competition; and
richness and beauty Of forest scenery
to satisfy the most sanguine explorer.
But there is that we cannot, we
dare not try to depict in words. In
the song of the uncaged bird, in the
murmurs of the babbling brook, in
the loveliness of her verdant hills
and wales, in the grandeur, the sub
Unity of her rushing waters, madly
playing with the sunbeams, on their
rugged pathway to the chasm below,
in the majesty of her overshadowing
mountains, in the radiant glory of
earth and sky, the voice of nature
speaks; but O! what melody! The
ear is deaf to all sounds save this
unwritten music; the lips are mute
except with inarticulate motions to
extol the Maker and Ruler of all.
Glorious prospect! Heavenly vision!
Ny nearer, did ever you behold the
enhancing beauty of a mountain
scene? Did ever your heart record
the eloquent appeals this scene pours
forth Then let not these hating
words deface the picture, but with
reverent feelings let us mediate
upon the ennobling influence the
scenic beauties exert upon the soul.
That thrill Of delight was no poetic
fancy or fleeing impulse. The voice
within, Gods impress on the soul,
responded to the voice that was
whispering through his works.
Needing that voice, you might have
understood what the great Luther
taught when he said, "obey the voice
of nature, if you would succeed"
The establishment and preserva-
ton of religious and political free
dom owes much to the mountains.
In the Alpine Businesses and in the
Highlands of Scotland, the early
adherents of the Protestant faith
and the advocates of political liberty
found refuge from the fires of per-
secution, and were imbued with an
indomitable courage, and spirit of
lofty patriotism by association with
their grand old mountains What a
multitude of hallowed associations
cluster around the names of Sinai,
Moriah, Mt. Zion, Olivet and CAL
vary. The most magnificent events
in the divine dispensation have been
transacted on mountains. The days
of martyrdom are gone, and our
political freedom is our boast, but
the days for noble sentiments and
for noble actions are ever present !;
and in speaking Of a country where
every material advantage is pervaded
by the genius of beautified and ma
jestic nature, we cannot but notice
the results of similar condolences in
the past; and as naturally do we look
forward to glorious future. The
work of development has already
begun, but only begun. On the
summit of Mount Mitchell, the
highest peak east of the Rocky
Mountains, the pioneer in this work
lies sleeping. Right nobly have
loving hearts paid honor to his
genius. This father of mountains is
his monument; his epitaph is written
in the beauty of the surrounding
scene; the winds repeat the story of
his labors; and the yawning abyss,
where he met his fate, re-echoes his
fame.
In her beautiful description of
summers wanderings in the I" Land
of the Sky" one Of North Cardinals
daughters has portrayed the gran
deur and loneliness of the scenery,