Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1894-04-26

OiSSOlNC uIuCI IL. w NOW Iceto
the storm as it rises from the
ocean or the mountains q thou
sand miles ahead of its march; we
race the hidden currents of the
seas from one continent to an
other;We penetrate the waters of
the world with the telegraph; land
our graceful yachts, rowed by
b1 ave men, fly like sea-birds
across the Atlantic But here
stands Hatteras - unconquered
the great destroyer of vessels
and sailors, an ocean Blue Beard
leading to the chambers of death
the white winged brides of the
sea. Here in almost our sight,
within two hundred miles of this
Capitol, in the face OF all the
world, Still unShOrn of any of his
terrOrs, undisturbed in his cruel
empire, stands this Triton of the
storm powers. Around him are
the wrecks of three hundred
years; the sands at his feet are
the dust Of our fellow-men: the
waves upon his bosom are the
winding sheets of the dead; and
his bleak-headed beach it seems
is to be the eternal monument of
desolation His dark trophies
have been gathered from every
land, from the poor Indians
canoe of bark to the proudest
ship of our Navy, with the stars
at its masthead; from Norway to
Cape Horn, from China to the
Thames, all sails have paid his
tribute of property and OF life.
The propositions which [ sub
nit to the Senate are designed to
enlist all the necessary and APP
propriate capacity Of the Gov
ernment in all it's branches to
overcome this great obstacle and
danger to commerce and life. [
ought not to degrade this ques-
ton by discussing it in the light
of cold economy; but [ will say
that thus considered the loss in
mere property values on that
; storm cursed coast amounts
yearly to a sum sufficient, if prop
:, erly used, to make improvements
that would permanently secure
} safe navigation around or behind
1 the capes. Who can estimate the
t aggregate loss OF what in the
last hundred years has gone
down in that restless abyss? We
7 employ our gallant Army to hold
3 the Indians on the plains in their
peaceful reservations and we
{ patriotically and wisely expend
Y annually twenty-five millions OF
; money for this. But what are
! the raids of the savages to the
ravage on the capes Of Hatteras:
f We pay out a half million Oh
: dollars for noble war-ship tC
+ protect our commerce and oul
+ honor abroad, and on her first
e voyage, in an hour after she
leaves her port, she goes down
f under the currents of that coast
: with her burden of young and
Y gallant life. Her engines, her
, compass, her armament, he1
d mariners, her flag are baffied all
on the boundaries of Hatteras.
: The first resolution is addressed
b to the Secretary.of the Treasury
n because the life saving service is
under the authority of that De
: partment; the second is addressed
to the Secretary of the Navy, be
e cause that Department must take
, a deep interest in what SO nearly
i concerns it's welfare and honor
o and the third resolution is to be
n referred to the appropriate com
k mittee Of Congress for the eXer
: else of whatever legislation il
d any way may conduce to the gen
O eral purpose.
From the reading Of the reso
@ lutions it will be at once seer
:. that [ purpose to leave no means
@ untried to accomplish this grea
:. improvement. [ know not, sir
what mysterious spell of ruiz
s presides over the sad precin
T of that de 1oted spot on the Dor
der of my State It may be the
e hidden currents Of the sea still
e defying human care; it may bt
It some eccentric impulse of the
n Gulf Stream in it's world-rount
e orbit it may be the ever-shift
e ing impediments of the lane
J. rising up against the waters i
e may be some strange confluence
d of the winds of heaven breaking
# the beautiful laws of harmony
n but be it what it may we know
e that it is the chance of ship
o wreck, of death and OF sorrow
I and for one, recognizing that al
e the forces of nature are subordi
i nate to human power rightly
!. directed, Ipropose that this, Gov
e ernment shall not relax in it
J duty until Hatteras Light shall
S be a beacon Of safety-not tn,
wreckers' signal.
e Before [ take my seat I desir
t to say word in reference t,
/. certain reports that have gon
e abroad rejecting on the goo,
/, name of some of our people il
r that portion of North Carolin
: in connection with the loss O
! the Huron. These reports ascrib
l. to some of our people gross neg
e lect of duty, and the most Grim
# inal and infamous violation O
|. the laws of hospitality and hu
# manity. When [ first read thes
e