The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1894-05-31

OOTuoE-OCOu0 OF the OO0l0O6r
ate Monument in Raliah--A
Graceful and Scholarly Pro
due ction, and a Fine Contribu.
tion to History.
The following is the address, in full
of Capt. Thomas w. Mason, delivered
at the laying Of the cornerstone of the
Confederate Soldiers Monument or
May 22nd
ZaaIes and Gentlemen
North Carolina bids us pause to-da,
and consider the memory of he1
soldiers-those whom she gave to the
Confederacy.
l know that you are busy with your
affairs, that the demands of duty press
upon you. fear that disappointed
hopes and failing fortunes may distress
some Of you; l am sure that the weigh,
of years is now laid upon those who
have survived their comrades
Repeating the message of our believe d
State, | entreat you TO come away
from your cares and SORROWS to-day
and let us stand with hearts aglow,
and with uplifted heads, in the
presence of our heroic past
The day invites US. 1t is our
independence day. 1t is our day ol
glorious memories. Now, and through
all the years to come, it is our Con
federate Monument day. For this
day, our mountains have given their
fairest treasure into the hands OF
woman, and she has brought this
treasure reverently into our midst.
Cur brothers have taken it gratefully
from her hands, and laid the stone in
its place. We watch and wait with
swelling hearts. Voices fall upon the
ear again that have been still since our
camp fires went out. We feel the
touch of elbows again our lines are
forming our ensigns stream above US;
our bugles are calling. The stone,
which you have laid in place to-day,
my brothers, shall be lifted up! And,
by its side and from its summit, he
shall look into our faces again-our
comrade, our brother "bone of our
bones, and flesh of our flesh - brave
as he who followed the Eagle of Rome,
or the Lilies of France our Confed-
crate brother; ne who was first at
Bethel he who was nearest the foe at
Gettysburg he whose rifle gave the
last salute to the flag which was folded
with immortal honor,
We have waited long enough to-
consecrate this stone. History approves
and demands it. They who were our
foes, but who are now our friends, ask
that it be done. The passing years
have laid their hands, in blessing, upon
the head of our comrade, and
deepened the halo about his name. II
the courage of the soldier, untainted
by evil purpose, is the noblest gilt OF
time if the memory of Grant is sacred;
if the name Of Lee is our priceless
heritage then, have we waited long
enough to dedicate this stone to the
memory of the North Carolina Con-
federate soldier.
What moved him to leave his plow
in the furrow that he might struggle,
unto death, with his brother of the
North : Was he not happy at home
Did he not love his wife and children3
Had he not hewn from the forests his
fruitful felds2 Were not his barns
filled with rich harvests Had he not
altars at which to worship? Had he
no name or history to love and
cherish2 Was he not taught to
reverence the Constitution next to his
Bible? Was he disturber of the
peace; hater of his fellowman? Did
not all the graces of generous host
adorn his fireside? Did the sun, in
his course, shine upon a fairer land
than his? What moved him to leave
his hearth stone and 60 forth, with
darkened brow and compressed lip, to
struggle and die2 We know that nc
lust of power no worldly gain nc
pride of life moved him. He wa
never an aggressor. His keen senss
of what was due to himself, made hin
careful of the rights Of others. 81
careful was he; SO regardful of hi
acts so cautious in moving forward
SO contented with the portion which
God and his own right arm had givel
him, that his neighbors bantered hin
for his homely virtues, and likenet
him to the good natured dutchmal
who was said to have fallen into
peaceful repose that he slep. until th'
stock Of his fowling piece crumbles
with decay at his side. And yet ou
goodnatured sleeping comrade sud
denly awoke to such deeds of valou
that "the world wondered" an,
declared that he must take his plac
with heroes, while his neighbors wer
happy to share the glory Of his deeds
What moved this peace-loving
God fearing, contented man, happ
within the shadow of the vine tha
climbed about his cottage door, to g
forth against mis- brother Of the North
, Let it not be said that in a moment q
, unreasoning haste, he tore asunder tn
ties of home and kindred, and rushed
. like madman, upon the sword of hi
adversary. His four years of har'
endurance gives higher meaning to hi
courage. Rather, let it be said OF hin
! that he loved the union Of these States
The blood which flowed in his veins
, unmixed with alloy, had warmed tn
hearts Of the men who struck the firs
blow for Independence. In the count
) of Alamanee, hard by the old stag
! road that leads from Hillsboro t
; Salisbury, stone has been plante'
. and on it are engraved these words
"First battle of the Revolution. Her