The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1892-08-18


| oXYN&AS delivered befor'
HM H WI a9 the North Caro-
E&SHzS lima Press Asso
%eSSn8X-a citation in tina
city, July 27th
We take pleasure in publishing it fol
the double purpose of showing what
progressive and substantial town Char
lotte is and the means that have con.
tributed to its growth, and believing
that its example will serve as valua
bic object lesson and incentive to
other places and people. Mr.. Cham
bers said:
1t seems to be the very irony of fate
that first appearance, and possibly
the last, on public platform, should
be made in front Of the combined
intelligence Of the press of North
Carolina. rely upon the courage of a
positive conviction to enable me at
least to say that the commercial
interest of Charlotte which I am here
to represent, regards your presence
here with the utmost satisfaction.
Most heartily do we agree with this
sentiment, handsomely expressed in the
editorial column OF our morning
paper: "The North Carolina editor
has been in the van in the work of
building up the waste places of a
country sorely beset by misfortune; he
has bent his best efforts toward the
material development of his section
and the material prosperity of his
people; while his paper has embraced
his profession and has comprised his
living, he can say with pride that he
has made it the instrument for COM
mon advancement.
We look to the press of North Caro-
lima, more than the courts, for the
preservation of peace and order. The
law which Furnishes crime and in
justice is of less value than the public
sentiment which prevents it. Educa-
tion-moral, intellectual and spirit
ual-the development and exalta-
ton OF individual character is the only
hope of a democratic country. The
restraints of the church, unaided by
intelligence and honor, have not
always been equal to the emergencies
of the past.
Intelligence and honor without
these restraints have not been free
from darker crimes. "The campaign
of education" does not end with
political contests, but in a country
where the people rule, is, and must be
especially from this time on, per-
petual movement. The commercial
interest salutes the leaders in this
movement and bids them a hearty
God speed.
l am to tell you tonight what the
city of Charlotte is doing in the
march towards greater industrial
development, to refer to our aspira-
tions and hopes, and show cause for
the faith that is within us. l shall
not weary you with figures. Besides
what you have seen to-day we hope
tomorrow to show you more of the
conspicuous evidences of our industrial
growth and some Of the attractions
we have to offer.
The first great claim we make for
Charlotte is the happy combination o1
desirable elements in her population
The high character, the independence,
the love of freedom and equal justice,
of the early settlers OF Mecklenburg
are known to all, and have gone to
make a bright page in American his
tory.
The degeneracy chargeable to an
"effete aristocracy" was early met by
the sturdy Scotch-Irish element which
has been SO conspicuous in forming
the character of North Carolina, ano
by thrifty and industrious German
stock of Cabarrus and Rowan. Thus
Charlotte town began and grew. Its
accessions have been mostly the mer
who have out grown the smaller
neighboring towns i'll this State ane
South Carolina, men with aspiration
for themselves and their families. We
have been large enough and attractive
enough torkeep our boys and girls a
| home, and have thus reserved for ou
own benefit that talent for home build
ing which North Carolina has con
tributed to SO many Western ant
Northwestern towns. The old Sout
, and new South meet and react on on
another. l call upon the press c
North Carolina to testify if there is
t happier combination, whether found il
Charlotte or elsewhere. While striv
ing with pressing demands of the da
t we are reminded of the splendl
r traditions of the past; if disposed t
: linger with and rely. upon these W
e are soon crowded out of the contes
r The spirit of greed which marks th
e present age is checked by the memor
n of higher aims, while the spirit c
S domination, which was tendency c
i a past era, is forced to respect intelli
gence and skill in the professions an
It in the mechanical arts. | trust W
have not grown at the expense of 0,
morals or our manners. l am sure "
e do not rely upon our history or OF
is birth for public recognition or favo
). The natural outgrowth of such