The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-08-22
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
To the North Carolina Volunteer Fire
Association.


come delivered by Mr.. James r. Young
to the Volunteer Fire Association at
Burwell Hall, Wednesday, Aug. 14th.
We publish it by request OF the fire
men:
VI. President ami Members Of the North |
Cdr0Ltna T0tlnteer Fire dissolution:
1t becomes my pleasant task at the
request OF our Mayor, prompted by the /
YOU to-day, and in behaliOf the citizens !
OF Henderson and her noble band OF !
fireuen to extend to you cordial |
greeting and bid YOU u hearty Welcome |
TO our city and her hospitality. TO me, |
as,tO every citizen OF Henderson, It Is 4
Measure at all times to welcome to the
city. OF which We are SO proud, all VINO
come whether for business or pleasure.
Especially is this the case when we wei
come those who like the Volunteer Fire
men of our State, are not only engaged
in work and labor OF self-sacrlce aud
devotion but which are by their deeds OF
vaIOr and patriotism in this work show
ing that they are true men worthy to be
respected and applauded by all North
Carolinians. To me personally 1T Is an
especial pleasure to greet you, as 90 so
in behalf of our local fireman, many OF
whom have served so faithfully under
me in times past and because OF my
admiration for a fireman wherever
see one. SO Mr. President | welcome
YOU and your association with Il true
and hearty welcome from the heart, and
turn YOU over to our local tiremen who
will see that YOU are made to feel at
home, and have everything that Is
needed or desired. Ii they do not treat
Won right, which | have no doubt but
that they will do, then you have only to
report the matter to me. In all ages
and among all people valor and herolsm
have always merited and ever won the
admiration and applause of every true
man, and this must ever continue SO
| long as men are found who are true ana
noble.
The soldier has ever held the admlra-
| ton and received the applause OF the
world in every country, as he has won
victories and amid much danger and
| toll pushed forward the banner OF his
country. OF the warrior and his deeds
| the historian has written, and the poet
has sung and we'll they may, for their
deeds would have been worthy OF it even
| if they were not inspired by true patrl-
otism and love for the rights and liberties
of men and their homes. The statesman
has ever been admired as his acts and
| deeds of wisdom have been recorded. Well
and truly may we, yea should we, ap-
| plaud the true statesman, Tor by his
guiding hand the country is steered
! safely amid the difficulties and dangers
that beset all great nations.
All ages record the works and successes
of the student as he pores over his work
| patiently and gives to the world the
results of his researches and makes it the
better and wiser and pushes on the
wheels of civilization. The physician in
his daily rounds becomes the true hero.
The merchant as he works in his count
ing-rooms is worthy of your admiration
as he directs his business successfully
The farmer as he tolls day after day be-
comes Il true hero in his work as he adds
to the stores and products OF the world
Yes, Mr.. President, the true heroes are
not found alone among the higher
classes of life. Often and among the
lower classes, and in the humber walks
of life are found many of the truest he
roes. for it is there that we find the true
man working with an unseltish spirit
and true devOtiOnS. The warrior is al As
too often urged on by the spirit OF am
bitiOn. The statesman is prompted by
a desire to raise himself up to power anc
authority. The student looks to the
good to be accomplished for himself
The physician while doing a noble WORK
and the merchant and the farmer while
pushing their business to success ant
winning the applause OF the world arr
yet so often urged on more by desire o
gain and to support their families than
less unselfish aim. The paid fireman is ;
true man and has Il noble calling, bu
he too may be found working for TIN
4 I,,rr otf
family. 1t remains, Mr.. President, for tn
true hero to be found in the NOluntee
fireman. All honor to him. Like TIL
Others he tolls during the day for a sup
port for himself and family. He toll
{ hard and no matter how arduOus hi
work in one day, or how much he is t
endure on the coming day, he lays him
+ self down to rise up at the call OF tn
bell or gong. Others may sleep, restin:
from their iabors and refreshing them
=, selves for the tolls of the coming day
+ but at the tap of the bell he springs 70
+ his clothes and in an instant is out annie
| the heat of summer or the snow OF winte
: battling against the destructive foe
, Onward he rushes defying the element
and Drawing the dangers; he stands il
fierce heat or amid falling walls an
bursting explosives with his life in hi
hand and battles for the property an
lives of his neighbOrs. All this may b
a said for the white volunteer fireman
Shall we not say this and more for tn
+ colored tiremen, who fights SO nObly an
faces every danger, when large porto
of the property is not held by his rae
0 but by the more fortunate white people
v Truly he is an unseltish hero and d.
serves our esteem and praise in II
stinted measure.
u Because of my services as Il fireman
y Mr. President, might be pardoned fo
v giving some advice and urging that 70
q one and all give your hearty cooper;
ton to the authorities of your cities q
5 well as OF your organizations. That 70
n always obey orders and preserve strit
If discipline and that you always see that
; high sense OF Ii nor and duty govern
y Your actions. But, Mr.. President, this
II not necessary as the past record of you
q companies show that this has been dor
well and nobly. Again, Mr.. Presde1
:, and firemen, | welcome you to our cit,
> to her streets, to her water supply fC
your contests. In behalf of our Mayo
y | welcome YOU and am authorized
e say that if your behaviour since yC
> arrived in our town is any criterion
what he may expect OF you, then
DluS YOU welcome aS SOOu cltlZellS, 10y
% and true. May your stay be pleasaI
q and profitable May your contests
" friendly though hotly contested. Ma
your return to your homes be|safe. Ma
It you, after this vacation is over, fin
n yourselves refreshed and better equippe
J. in mind and muscle and heart for Il
4 unseltish work Of saving the proper
and lives OF your neghbors and frieno
\ sketch of George du Maurier's arti
- ol,n ,,,to ,ia,ti, IN No