The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-06-11
Mr.. w. R. Henry's Address in Wilson.

Mf. w. II. henry AuufeSS III VIISOHs
The address of our townsman Mr.
W. r. Henry, before the ladies OF
Wilson Collegiate Institution. Tuesday
evening of last week, is spoken OF as
a very fine effort. We find the follow
ing complimentary illusions to it in
the Wilson papers:
The Wilson Mirror, under the caption
OF "a Fine Effort" says this of Mr..
Henry's address:
The chapel OF the Wilson Collegiate In
stitute was comfortably filled last evening
| with an anxious crowd, eager to hear
Mr.. Walter r. Henry, of Henderson, one
of North Cardinals most brilliant and
fascinating speakers After the fine rendi-
ton of some excellent music he was very
felicitously introduced by Mr.. John E.
Woodland in short speech remarkable
for it's appositeness anu elegance. Mr..
Henry then rose and made speech which
was the magnificent browning OF magnif-
icent effort, and it dazzled the senses
with it's glowing sunbursts of eloquence
even as the eye is dazzled by those fash
ing streams of electricity when the storm
cloud groans with eternal agonies, and
vomits out its forked fires in all their
quivering brilliances. Some OF his
thoughts were exquisitely poeticai and
bewitchingly beautiful, for they bloomed
in the fertile soil of his luxuriant garden
of richest fancy, and blossomed out with
all the beautiful tintings of poetic inspir-
alton. His sentences were grandly eio-
quent, and shot across the sky OF his dis
course like some of those aerial visitors
of light, that pass in meteoric streams OF
effulgent brightness DER the bosom OF
the night, and make world stand still
to watch and gaze in awe and adlnira-
ton at the beauty and splendor of their
radiant passage. 1t was indeed a noble
effort, and we wish all our readers could
enjoy its beauty and it's excellence. The
lateness of the hour precludes q more ex-
tended notice, and we will not mar it's
beauty or impair it's worth by a hurried
and imperfect synopsis.
The Advance says this:
Then came the feature of the
evening, for which the above was the pre-
face and for which the chapel full of
people were eagerly waiting-the address
OF Walter r. Henry, Esq, of Henderson,
NC.
We had heard much of Vance county's
talented son and read more; yet We were
not prepared for what he gave us.
He was introduced by Mr.. ]. E. Wood
ard in few appropriate words, express
ing his pleasure in being able to present
such man to this people. Mr..
Henry's theme was woman and it is not
saying too much to say he did it full and
ample justice. 1t was a magnificent trib-
ute to the worth and influence of the sex.
AS an historical production it was very
valuable. He traced through all the
past the course OF woman's influence
and deeds. He showed how they had
ruled the world. Such tremendous re-
search evidenced the scholar and patient
student. 1t evidenced hours of pains
taking labor. 1t showed the burning of
the midnight lamp. And through it all
there breathed the soul of chiyalrous,
courtly, Southern gentleman, afire with
love and esteem and high regard for
woman, Gods last and best gift to man.
No synopsis of Mr.. Henry's address can
do it justice. We attempt none. We are
sure we cannot praise it too highly, nor
can we grow extravagant in hearty COM
brilliant man; second, pleasing orator;
third, a thoughtful student; fourth,
polished, cultured gentleman.
Will his address do good?
Yes!
Every man and woman who heard
it has a higher conception of the duty,
the responsibility, and the influences of
life. His sentences, sparkling gems, were
gathered up and stored away in men,
Ory's closet. The address made pro-
found impression upon Wilson people.
Mr.. Henry was the recipient of three
handsome boquets of roses from Wilson
ladies, as evidencing their appreciation
of his magnificent grafton.