The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-09-03

) pervaded too largely to give to ever,
man the even chance that the sun O
this better and broader day has causet
to shine in the pathway Of every homes
and industrious son of the South
Farmers, then, except large slave own
ers who were few in comparison to the
whole population, lived in houses thai
were wanting in conveniences or com
forts, and life was ten fold harder anG
more hopeless. Agriculture was rela
lively more prosperous, but it was the
one occupation of the people, and mer
and women were compelled to make
their own clothing and bread and
meat at home. They lived most fru.
gally, despite. the roseate colors of the
novelist and the tinted views of the
old men who love to depict the glories
and delights of the Old South 4" All
times are good when DID," ssys Burns.
Glory, honor and happiness there were
and l thank God for the true men and
women who honored our Southland by
their lofty characters and patriotism.
But in this presence and everywhere 1
protest against the pessimism which
will admit naught of the Improvements
and blessings which have come to us
to-day. l refuse to be duped by the
novelist's description of the South as a
Paradise before the war.
The Southern people, except a very
few, have ever toiled and earned their
bread in the sweat of their face. The
exception of the Southern gentleman
of leisure has been made the rule in
portraying Southerners, and the time
has come when honor must be paid
likewise to the great body Of Southern
men who have never known what
luxury and leisure were, but whose
lives have ever illustrated phase of
Southern history which is not dimmed
in comparison with the portrayal of
the elegance and nobility of their more
fortunate neighbors.
1 assert here that there never was
a time, except in days ofextraordinary
prices, as in the California gold period,
or in 1866-'67-'68, or when there
were such openings and advantages
afforded our youth, nor when labor
found surer reward, nor when men
could save as much if as economical
as their fathers.
Do you all think this optimism
Then thank God that 1 can see the
progress of the age which He blesses
and in which He has permitted me to
live
do not close my eyes to the evils
that confront us or the burdens which
plutocracy imposes. Heavy as are
these burdens, and earnestly as l stand
against them like Paul: 81 thank
God and take courage" when l see
men everywhere coming into greater
enlightenment and broader opportu-
nifty, and enjoying more of the COM
forts Of civilization.
Conditions that surrounded the
South in slavery did not tend to build
cities and factories. 1t was left for
manufacturers and merchants under
different conditions to undertake this
work.
speak of that class of spectators
who build cities as trade and 60 from
state to state laying out cities upon
old fields and selling corner lots at
fabulous prices. They have done
much to injure the South, and we
ought to disown them and give them
no countenance. / congratulate you
that the wonderful progress of your
city has not been Kindred by these
pests and vampires who dupe the un-
suspecting and who ever respond
to the cry "move on" Their ad-
vertisements read as much like en-
trancing dreams as Joe Coldwells
description of that Santer reads like
Baron Munchausen.
Your city's building has been &C
complished by merchants and manu-
facturers who find home here, and
whose energies and industries are
helped by the continued growth of the
city. Their public spirit is not lost,
but they and their neighbors are en-
riched by it under the divine rule that
good only comes to him who is willing
to spend himself for others.
trust L may be pardcned for saying
that | see but one cloud, as small now
as the palm of a mans hand, upon the
horizon of your city's future. | re-
ioice that never have the business men
of this city or State been found whin-
ing before Congress and putting up
wailing cry for help. You have
illustrated the manhood that helps
itself, and the doctorine Of equal rights
to all and special privileges to none.
l rejoice in your independence, and
would implore you not to lose conf
dence in self-help and in yourselves
and not to allow yourself to be dictated
to by any one. There is band Of
men in or country in all trades that
deserve the name of boa constructor.
They seize hold of a business and il
they cannot control it. they throw
their coil around it and by their might
destroy it without remedy. The tobacco
business in some of its branches has
succumbed to this deadly destroyer
and evil is produced to the communi-
ties that have followed. Winston's
successful manufacturers have none Of
them fallen in its coils; your manu-
faclurers still own their own souls
and pray God that the day may not
come when the blight of belonging
to trust shall fall upon your factories