The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1894-06-21

The Presidents gratitude to him for
carrying the Georgia delegation for
him in Chicago made him look with
great favor upon Mr.. Smith, and when
Mr.. Lamar, whom the President
regarded as the biggest man in
America, told him that there was no
man, old or young, SO we'll equipped
for the duties OF Secretary CT the
Interior, the President was glad 20
have him in his Cabinet. He has
more than justified the high opinion
given him by the late Justice Lamar,
and to-day has more friends and more
enemies than any man in the Cabinet.
The people Of North Carolina :. love
him for the enemies he has made" as
we'll as because of their State pride.
In this visit to the University, Secre-
tary Smith is accompanied by his wife
and finally. They came down from
Washington in special car. Mrs.
Smith was The youngest daughter Of
Col. T. r. Cobb, and is lady blessed
with all the graces that splendid
education, lovely home life, and a
magnetic nature can bestow. She has
made many friends in the Nations
Capitol by her frankness and wonder
full good sense. Neither she nor Mr..
Smith has ever cared tor society life,
and in Washington, outside the season
when official duties compel society,
they live almost as quiet and retired
as when they lived in Atlanta. The
good people here in Chapel Hill are
as glad to greet Mrs. Smith as they
are proud to see the Secretary again
on North Carolina soil wearing his
honors without ostentation, and in
spring the boys to manly endeavor by
the highest example of success won by
diligence and self-denial. He won his
own way in Atlanta, conquering
poverty and the hindrances incident
thereto. The success of such man is
always an incentive to all young men
and particularly when that young man
is "to the manner born" His career
has been marked by none of the vices
that endanger aspiring youth.
He spoke here to-day on the pos
sibilities of its citizens, particularly of
young men who enjoy the advantages
of collegiate education. This is
theme which he loves. 1t gave him
opportunity in strong, manly and
direct way to emphasize truths that are
incarnated in his own person. He
loves the State and all the South, and
he believes with all the intensity of his
soul that it is the coming center of
prosperity, wealth and greatness in the
Union, and he is never so happy as
when seeking to inspire the young men
with whom he comes in contact with
the faith that has been the stepping
stone to his own success. He has a
magnificent presence, standing, like
Saul, head and shoulders above his
fellows. He has none of the graces OF
the old oratory of the South; he
eschews figures and flowers and smiles
and speaks with that directness and
force common to man who is
intensely practical and whose whole
life has been one of earnestness and
hard work. He is man who looks |
rather to ideas and opinions than to
words and sentences; they are worth
less to him except as a medium to him |
for conveying his thoughts. He spoke
to-day with great vigor and strength |
and power, and the young men and
the old men for that matter, who
heard him, were impressed that he
had a message to deliver, message
that burned in his own heart, a message
for the uplifting of the people OF his
State and section, and they heard him
gladly and caught his own inspiration
in their glorious future.