The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1889-07-11

"o'a'eh vi TIC cthte would not be slow
to heed. We make few extracts
from this portion of Mr.. Henry,s elo-
quent and stirring address. Speakiny
In effect as follows he said:
Ii the women OF North Carolina will in.
terest themselves in behalf of the .Sol-
diers' Home" it will succeed. Let them
once enlist their labor and influenc, in
TINS great cause, and it will not be long
before the walls and columns of the
Home will arise in stately proportions.
and ITS fine groves and parterrps of flow.
ers and sparkling fountains will present
scene, OF happiness, which to our indi-
gent veterans, compared with their pres
ent condition, will be indeed an earthly
Paradise-where they may live in COM
tort the remainder of their lives and from
whence they will pass to the Home
Above, with songs OF thanksgiving and
praise for the "Old North State" her
noble Charity. her Gratitude and her
Justice
Yes, if the women land | saw woman.
because it is the nOblest word in our Ian,
guage) will give us their aid in this mat
ter, il they will exhibit one-tenth the en-
thusiasm in supporting the old veterans
that they and their mothers-(iod bless
them ali-exhibited in making Them bs-
come veterans, they will not much longer
drag their shattered limbs along our
streets and from door to door.
We beg them to help us in this great
and noble undertaking. We know what
the women OF North Carolina can do, be-
cause We know what they have done in
the past
The women of the South during the
late war showed an heroic fortitude, in
domitable resolution, and superb pa
thence, such as the world had never seen
before. They had many illustrious ex-
emplars in history to inspire them to
noble deeds, but they surpassed them all.
Here Mr.. Henry cited the most noted
instances of female herOism to be found
i'll ancient and modern history, accent
uating the superior herOism and en-
durance of the women of the South.
Said he.
In no age or cline have the women
been so beautiful, so tenderly nurtured,
so highly cultivated and SO surrounded
by the purest and sweetest spirit OF ro-
nance and chivalry, as were. and are the
women of the South. They were reared
on the highest crest of the highest wave
of civilization that has yet touched the
shores of earth they were therefore not
expected to possess and practice the
courage, and endurance, and patience,
and martyr-like self-sacrifice, that char
acterized the maidens and matrons of
Athens and Sparta and Carthage and
Rome, but they did, through contin-
uOus struggle of four years of depriva-
ton, desolation, and death, surpass the
grandest deeds of their heroic predeces-
sors. whose acts shine like stars, over the
battle plains of earth where Liberty has
been contended for, and along the path
way whence Ignorance has fed. and Civ
iization, bright-eyed Goddess Of JOY, has
scattered the richest flowers of peace and
| love.
Mr.. Henry was frequently inter-
rupted by the most hearty applause
during the delivery of his splendid ad-
dress, but at no time was it more cor
dial and generous than at the cOnciu-
sion of his remarks above quoted. Our
only regret is that we are unable to
quote him in full. 1t was a mastery
etfort-eloquent, stirring, touching and
pathetic. Many competent judges pro-
nounced it the finest speech of the kind
they ever listened to, and one gentle
man declared that it surpassed one of
Everett's best efforts which he heard
in Raleigh many years ago. Mr.. Henry
spoke about one hour, without manu-
script, and at the conclusion of his ad-
dress he was the recipient of many
high compliments and congratulations
from his friends.
On motion vote of thanks was ten
dered Mr.. II. II. Burwell who had
kindly given the use of the Hall for
holding the meeting, and the secretary
was instructed to convey the infOrma-
ton Of such action to Mr.. Burwell.
There being no further business to
transact the meeting adjourned subject
to call Of the chairman. Dinner had
been prepared for the old soldiers and
was served at Mr.. w. A. Cheatham's
boarding house. A substantial mea
was spread to which ample justice was
done. After this refreshments in the
shape of ice cream and cake, sc.
which had been provided by some Of
the ladies of the town, was served in
the vacant store room underneath
Mrs. Burgwyn, Mrs. w. S. Parker
Mrs. &. S. Boyd, Mrs. +. G. Davis
and others kindly managed this and t.
say that the old soldiers thoroughly en-
.joyed and appreciated such treatment
does not need to be added.
Sugar Is high and fruit plentiful SO u.s.