The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-06-26
REV. THOMAS DIXON, JR.
AN OPINION OF THE TALENTED
YOUNG TAR HEEL DIVINE,

AN OPINION OF THE TALENTED
YOUNG TAR HEEL DIVINE.
He is a Man Of Singular Gifts, who
has Made a Reputation for Himself
Both at Home and Abroad.
Wilmington Messenger
Do you ask, what is our opinion of
Rev. Thomas Dixon, Jr., as lecturer? ?
We answer: The very good criticism
in the local columns Of the Messenge,
of yesterday is so near the mark, as
we think, that we might refer to it as
a statement of what we think. But we
will in our own way and in as few
words as possible sum up our estimate.
Mr.. Dixon is less than thirty years
old, we believe. He is a Tar Heel
racy of the sofia genuine production
Tall, lean, wiry, looking like Abe Lin
coins picture, with keen eye, mobile
and strong features, you would take
him for a man of mark at a glance.
He has been student, has reading
and culture. He is man of observa-
ton, student of books and student
of men. He knows his fellow man
uncommonly we'll. He illustrates his
theme finely" Backbone - He is a
brave man, perpendicular, with the
courage of conviction and bold OF
speech. He has ridicule, fun, Ian
guage, imagination, passion. His voice
is penetrating and sometimes a bit
strident, but distinct always-articula-
tion, emphasis, intonation admirable.
He is the most rapid speaker we ever
heard. He can pack away marvel
Gus amount of thought, language, de-
scription, rollicking humor in an hour,
more than one of your tortoise paced
fellows, with nasal twang and solemn
tones, could roll out in day.
Mr.. Dixon has mental force, mental
resource, and great reliance upon the
responsive character of his brain. 1t
does not fool him. He is evidently a
new power among North Carolinians
"a new voice and not an echo. He
thinks. He is not afraid. He dares,
Sam Jones like, to call spade spade,
or to apply the cautery and castiga-
ton when needed.
He is a born comedian-a man OF
genuine dramatic instincts and gifts
The stage has lost a fine actor in a
man of God, consecrated to the grea,
work of doing good and trying to up
lift men to higher plane. He would
have worn the buskins and the toga
with success, and from what we saw
we are not sure but that in tragedy he
would not have succeeded. In comedy
and burlesque he would have been
tariAe b,ineebs.
He is not an orator in the ordinary
sense. He is eloquent sometimes. But
it is in description, in drollery, in il
lustration, in caustic fun that he is
most successful. His lecture was ex-
cellent. 1t was positively the most in.
teresIng lecture we ever heard. 1t
was as amusing and entertaining as a
good comedy company could have
made the hour And this too by ont
man-he is man all through-and
less than thirty.
We feel proud of Mr.. Dixon as a ma
tive of our State. He is man of rare
and singular promise. If he lives he
will attain to name that will ring
over the continent and become as ia
miliar as household words. We now
understand how and why it is he has
made such profound impression in
Boston and New York and in Maine.
We have heard him. You must always
hear if you would judge.
We had the pleasure of meeting Mr..
Dixon socially, and found him very
pleasant to know. We would be much
delighted to hear his other lectures.
AS Nick Bottom the Weaver said
awe desire you of more acquaintance,
good Master Cobweb.'
Long life, abundant usefulness,
troops of friends, laurels in abundance,
conservation to God, and manifold
fruits of righteousness are what we wish
for this strong young man SO we'll en-
dowed.