Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1888-03-10

INC ldHu VI uhc llelhs, pOuSHt spob
while there which to him would be
sacred-in order that he might estab-
llsh his interest there and consequently
have his rights and manhood protected
while he was thus unsettled, paying
to Ephron for Machpelah 'four (400)
hundred shekels Of silver, current
money with the merchants, equal to
about $3.50 of our money, for an old
field in the country that had great
cave in it. But Abraham knew how
to make a man of himself and he did
it. He became ga mighty prince. :"
Again while he was passing through
the dominions of Abimelech he dug
him well and upon that account
claimed equal rights and equal protec-
ton under the law of that country;
he dug the well for that purpose and
we see his son Isaac about 80 years
afterwards coming up with an air of
filial pride contending with the Philis-
tines for the property as heir to his father
and certainly he was allowed to take
and enjoy it IN peace.
Would Burns ever have made fame
or even a name for himself or pean
to the honor of his country had he
sauntered around Edinburgh? No.
As the sweet muses. sang in his great
soul he moved into the country among
the hills where he could work, think,
read and write. Here Burns literary
glory depended upon his first procur-
ing him little homestead. Some of
our starched fellows would turn up
their noses if they were asked to take
home in such rural district.
There is the poet-laureate of a hardy
people on a high, rocky knoll, slop-
ing down to the river Tieth which,
as it rolls in superb tranquility be-
fore his own placid eyes l see him
ploughing as he sings his own immor-
tai verse, ga mans man for a, that"
or perhaps that other melodious strain:
''My father was farmer on the Carrich
border,
And soberly he brought me up in decency
and order,
i !; =
To improve both air and soil,
drain and decorate this plantation of willows
Which was lately an improbable morass;
But here from noise and strife,
love to wander.
Now fondly making progress of my trees,
If it please Almighty God
May often rest in the evening of my life,
Near that transparent fountain,
x !: :: x i
On these banks of the Teith,
In this small but sweet inheritance of my
fathers,
May l and mine live in peace
And die in joyful hope"
This is beautiful picture of a
beautiful country home. Let more
of US bend our energy to do likewise.
Can we as individuals or as race
achieve any degree of merit or main
tain the little that has been bestowed
upon us by leading a nomadic, a
hireling life?
As we improve ourselves in the
moral, social, and material world the
State improves its policy toward us
Twenty years ago QS6S), the
defendant in the State as Taylor APP
pealcd to the highest appellate court
Of this State because there Cas col
ored man on the jury, but after some
years of gradual Improvement, a few
months since, the defendant in the
case Of the State Us. Sloan exhausted
the Judiciary of the great State of
North Carolina because there was not
a colored man on his jury
We see plainly that in proportion as
we come within the pale of the land
lord, of requirement and possession,
our rights, service. manhood, involv-
ing the foundation elements of our
citizenship, will be all the more APP
preciated and protected. Excuse
length. More anon.
am yours for the good of all men.
w. II. Quick.
VIRGINIA HOUSE.