The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-09-13
ADDRESS
Delivered in the Henderson County ALI
ance, July 14th, by John K. S.
Case, M D., on the Death
of Col. L. L. Polk.

of Col. L. L. Polk.
Mr.. President and Members of this Al
lance:
1t is an immortal and universal GUS
tom among men to honor the memories
of thei1 departed friends. This sacred
usage springs from the purest emotions
OF the soul and goes forth In a thousand
various forms to elevate and beautify
all that vas great and good in the dead.
| am glad to join with my fellow
brethren to-day In offering my tribute
of respect to the memory of him In
whose honor these services c~onsecrate
this hour: Col. L. L. Polk, our chief
tain, our beloved President, is dead.
To-day we pause in our pursuit of the
shadows of which our lives are made
up to pay a tribute of respect to him
whose voice was music and whose
smile was light which we shall see and
hear nc more on earth forever. No, he
is at rest.
His hands are folded on his breast,
There Is no other thought expressed
Than long disquiet merged in rest.
/ had the honor to meet Col. Polk in
Asheville, N. O., my native home, but
a short time ago and I was impressed
with the fact that he was one of those
true men who earnestly seek to know
the exact condition of affairs and then
after becoming convinced of what duty
commanded followed with fearless cOur-
age the convictions forced upon him.
He had an ambition which did not tire
with toll nor clog with power which
inspired and animated our beloved
President in the battle of life. He was
assiduous in looking after every inter
est of the Farmers Alliance and scru-
pulous in attendingt to the most trihing
wishes of his humblest constituent.
His bright and open face gave him a
neverfailing passport to the good opin-
ion and friendly courtesies of the
stranger. No one ever met the cordial
grasp of his hand without feeling that
heart which pulsated, through it was
filed with every kindly emotion not in
a half-hearted way. His heart was as
open and cheering az the light of day.
His style of oratory was peculiarly at
tractive and captivating, with a clear,
ringing voice under perfect control.
His style WAS as chaste and classical
as the most finished elocutionist, his
flow of language as easy and unhesitat
ing as an unobstructed stream.
Equipped with these high qualities,
coupled with a ripe scholarship and
we'll stored mind, he was a ready and
effective speaker. We learn to day
with regret of this noble mans death.
North Carolina will and may always
feel proud of such a son and the Farm
ers' Alliance of such a leader. All over
our beloved nation voices have been
mingled in paying fit and feeling tribute
of respect to OWL beloved son of
North Carolina. We cannot dry the
tears of this nation that mourns to-day,
nor would we if we could, but the
kindly words sincerely offered will
shine through them and picture on the
skies their future-a rainbow of hope
and promise-fOr many a Frightening
day / do mourn with his warmest
friends and am sad at his too early
death. He lived long enough to set on
foot a grand and glorious work, and he
has gone home to rest in that
long, unbroken sleep which knows no
waking. This beautiful country and
balmy sunshine and quiet home could
not stay the ~un1exible purpose of an
unpropitious destiny.
The great common bow of human
hope and human ambition which is
symbolized by the broken column and
unfinished work was rigidly followed
and enforced and he was cut down in
| obedience to it's inexorable decree. The
great and innumerable hosts which
struggle on the upward road to fame
are lost amid it's inhospitable crags
and treacherous sleeps. Nov listen TO
the great statesman's own tongue:
Il am standing now just behind the
curtain and In full glow of the coming
sunset. Behind me are the shadows
on the track, before me lies the dark
valley and the river. When l mingle
with it's dark waters l want to cast
one lingering look upon a country
whose government is of the people,
for the people and by the people,"
God bless the sorrowing widow and
bereaved family. Remember that
North Carolina has covered his funeral
bier with garlands redolent of richest
perfume. I beg leave to fling upon
that bier as it passes a single rosebud
believed with tears of very profound
sympathy. The flowers l would lay
on his g ave to day are not bright and
beautiful as he would have gathered,
but who could equal his task o his
skill.
Nor shall that laurel ever fade with years
Whose leaves are watered with a nations tears.
NOTICE