The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-06-12

and he received many warm Congratu-
latory and eulogistic letters thanking
him for such a deserved and magnlii-
cent tribute to the dead ex-PIesident,
in two of which the authors, scholars
of extended reputation, declared that
it was the most eloquent Grafton that
had been delivered in the South.
Dr.. f. B. kingsbury, the scholarly
and accomplished editor Of the Will
mington Messenger, has quoted from
Mr.. Henry's speeches and writings
many times, and has not hesitated to
pronounce him an orator, and an ell
oquent writer and this paper has done
SO time and again.
On the 4th of July, 1880, Mr..
Henry, by special invitation, addressed
the Confederate Veteran Association
OF Vance county, and turning to our
files we find that we made the follow
ing editorial comment on his speech ::
Mr. Henry was frequently interrupted
by the most hearty applause during the
delivery of his splendid address, but at
no time was it more cordial and gener-
GUS than at the conclusion of his earnest
and manly appeal in behalf of the old
soldiers, and his beautiful tribute to the
fortitude, herOism and browning virtues
of the noble women of our Southland. 1t
was q mastery effort-eloquent, stirring,
touching and pathetic. Many competent
Judges pronounced it the finest speech OF
the kind they ever listened to, and one
gentleman 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 adj
dress he was the recipient of many high
compliments and warm congratulations
from his friends.
The Windsor Ledger, published in
Mr.. Henry's native county, comment
ing on the same Grafton, also said:
OF the many eloquent addresses
delivered none was more fervid and pa
triotic than that of W. r. Henry, Esq,
our former countyman. His appeals for
the INDECENT Confederates were most ten
der and touching, and his tribute to their
bravery and daring strong and eloquent
No part of his address was more beauti-
full than his call to the ''WOmen of North
Carolina for aid in the good work. Ii
space permitted we would gladly publish
the grafton of this eloquent son of old
BERTHE, in full.
And the same paper III commenting
on the address delivered by Mr.. Henry
on the occasion of the visit of the Dur
ham Tobacco Board of Trade to Hen
derson in 1850, remarked:
Since our editorialnoticeo Of the brilliant
reputation our former cOuntyman, w
r. Henry, Esq, of Henderson, is making
for himself, we have seen a copy of his
grafton at the Durham and Henderson
railroad celebration. The crowded con.
ditiOn OF our columns is the only thing
that keeps us from publishing this splen
did Grafton in full. The Press of the State
owe Mr.. Henry a debt of gratitude fOl
the brave and patriotic words spoken
in defense of our profession. His re-
marks on "The New South" are entire
ly in the line of the Ledger's position
He puts the case in the strongest and
most eloquent manner possible, and we
content ourselves with producing his
words:
As we stated in a former editorial, the
county of BERTHE is proud of SO noble &
son as Walter r. Henry. The Progressive
South looks to such as he to place hel
speedily forward as the greatest portion
OF our great country.
We might quote from other source:
if we deemed it necessary. Some o
the most learned members of the lega
profession, the Press and other citizens
of the State and elsewhere, have
spoken in the highest and most com
plimentary terms of Mr.. Henry's abil
| ity as lawyer and his singular gift
as pleasing and graceful writer ant
a fervid, eloquent and effective speaker
Five years ago when this Distric
was formed, Mr.. Henry was a promi
nent candidate for the appointment a
Solicitor at the hands of the Governor
His claims were strongly urged, ant
among others the following letter
were written IN his behalf. While h
is now known throughout the Distrc
and the State, and needs no endorse
ments as to character or ability, the
90 to show in what estimation he wa
held even as far back as that, and ma
not be amiss in connection with thi
article:
Hon. Thomas Ruffin, one of Mort
Cardinals purest and most emnen
jurlsts, said this of Mr.. Henry:
JUDGE RUFFIN's LETTER.
HILLRBoRO, y. c., Feb. 2Sth, 1885.
To HIS ErceNency,
GOVERNOR SCALES,
Raleigh, \. c.
Dear Sir learn that the friends c
Mr.. W. Henry propose to present hi
name to you, as one fit to be appointe
Solicitor of the Bird judicial District, an
| venture to address you in behalf of tina
movement.
do not think u better appointment
could be made! | have had the opportr
nifty to observe Mr.. Henry, and hav
come to regard him as a young lawye
OF much more than ordinary acumen an
learning, and feel every conviction tina
he will be faithful and just in the discharg
OF any trust that may be committed t
him, and that his appointment will Civ
great satisfaction.
am, very truly your obi. serv't.,
THOMAS RUFFIN
Mr.. \. G. Zollicoffer, a leadin
member of the Henderson Bar, VIII
was also prominently mentioned i
connection with the appointment, BIT
who, on account Of pressing bushes