The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1889-02-07

born over the Seas. The war was in
deed a school-a severe one we KIN
in which to fashion great peopl'
worthy ofa great future. North Caro-
lima did not enter The conflict wlthou
deliberation. Her ablest and true>
men considered we'll the situation be
fore taking their final stand. When j
came apparent that the safety and hon
or Of North Carolina were involved
/ then it was tn 1t our state took its place
among its Sou hern sisterhood, and re.
solved to do all that a great and in
spring people could do for liberty and
independence.
Always modest and always misrep-
resented, North Carolina entered the
contest and not only performed her
part with CONSPICUOUS devotion, patrl-
otism and courage, but she surpassed
her sister States in the number Of men
she sent to the war. The hundred
battlehelds are so many witnesses OF
the fidelity and heroism with which
North Carolina discharged her duty.
She lost more men than any other
State, and in every important battle in
Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania
and at home she performed a conspic
uous and often most unrivalled part.
As has been often stated she sent more
soldiers to t he Confederate armies than
she ever gave votes before the war.
have seen it stated, and upon excellent
authority | think, that casting but
$4,000 votes in 1860, during the four
years she actually sent to the armies of
the Confedcracy more than 12o, 900
men. The Roster for the State calls
for more than 10000 | believe, but
it is not accurate always as some names
are repeated. There is but little doubt,
if any, that at least I2o, 900 men from
this State served in the war. Her regi-
ments were full, and the true records
of the chief battles in Virginia and the
other States named, show beyond all
Cavil or fair questioning that her deeds
correspond fully with the strength of
her numbers. North Carolina did her
full part IN MAKING HISTORY. Men of
other States have done their full part
IN WRITING history and much to suit
themselves, and have done injustice to
some of the chief actors from other
S. ates.
The soldiers of North Carolina must
rank in history that is vet to be written,
if truth shall direct the stylus, with the
bravest and the best, the truest and
most enduring, the most Intelligent and
patriotic known in the annals Of time.
Soldiers Of North Carolina, | salute
You reverently, admirlngly, gracefully !!
The martyrs OF liberty mast not be for
gotten, nor must the surviving remnant
OF great armies be neglected.
Their cause was the sacred cause OF
a whole people. Memory should keep
faithful vigil at the graves Of the dead
as Love bedews them and Gratitude
kindles at the sight of the living.
Veterans of North Carolina, after
this necessary reference to the war be-
tween the States, let us come to mat
ters that more particularly concern
YOU now-that in fact concerns me
and every true North Carolinian. The
star of the young Confederacy went
down in blood and disaster. The
cause of the heroic South was a LOST
cause, and fateful AppomattoN closed
the scene. The armies Of the North
aided by 10000 SOUTHERN men il
! the border States mainly, and the flee.
! ing slaves to the number of 100, 900
with all Europe as recruiting ground
after four long years of fighting, tri
umphed. The conquered banner
was forever furled. 1t had floateC
proudly upon hundreds Of fields O
carnage. but at last the time came
when it was to be laid away, and The
brave men who had marched under
its bright folds in sunshine and storm
were 10 resume the avoCatiors of peace
once more.
"Furl that banner, true It's CORY,
Yet it's wreathed around with glory.
And twill live i'll song and story
Though its folds are in the dust
For its fame on brightest pages,
Penncd by poets and 10y saGeS,
Shall go sounding down the ages,
Furl its folds though now we must
What has North Carolina done t
show its appreciation of the heroe
who upheld her sacred cause and at ths
front displayed such unfaltcred devo
ton and magnificent courage? Wha
memorial has been reared TO attest t
coming generations the renown anc
self-sacrihce of the men of 1861'65
who almost fought Continent il
arms? What shaft of granite, dus
from under her own hills, has beer
lifted toward the skies to express tht
gratitude and admiration of the pres
ent generation for the high services 0
the men of the generation almost gone
who suffered and fought and died fo
the right of self-sovernment and ths
sovereignty of the States of the South
men who represented the great en-
dearing, underlying principles of per
sonal freedom, OF the rights of a peo
pie born free? 1t was in North Car
ol;na that the birth hour of Libert,
came, and it will be here that she vii
s laipr Iriyap trop, ot,e