The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-07-11

without money. He will Be heard
from. 1t is such young men who be-
come the States greatest citizens"
This one announcement thousand
fold repays me every dime l have con-
tributed in taxes in the support Of
that State institution for the sons of
the farmer aud the mechanic. These
two comments, the one showing the
condition of our youth for want Of op-
portunity, and the other showing the
magnificent results flowing from small
opportunity tell the story Of the State S
duty.
The principles of Masonry here
become the inheritance of society.
To help the helpless, to raise up the
fallen, to give to all human beings an
equal chance in life, to instruct the
ignorant, and especially to train up
children and to provide for widows
and orphans these cardinal principles
of our order, limited as they were at
first in their application, have, by their
excellence and ability, commended
themselves to the appreciation and
acceptance of the civilized world. 1t
is now we'll recognized function of
government to do these things; and
States are deemed honorable and
powerful in proportion as they provide
for their citizens perfect systems of
public charities and public schools.
The deaf and dumb, the blind, the
weakminded, and even the insane, are
given opportunities 10 labor with their
bodies and to employ their minds in
honorable and improving thoughts.
The orphan child is placed upon the
level with the heir ofthousands. This
is the teaching OF Jesus. Masonry first
gave it practice and taught the world
its sublime beauty and estimable
utility. This noble structure, this
splendid Asylum, these hundreds of
happy children tell the sweet story of
Masonry unfolding to society the
truths of universal equality of oppor-
tunity. North Carolina has learned
the lesson from Masonry, and now
hand to hand our noble order and
our strong and benefcent State uphold
and demonstrate those principles of
philanthropy, of equality, of Democ-
racy and of justice. If there be any
who deny the right of the State to aid
this noble institution, they deny the
right of the State to act upon the
divine teaching of the Son of God.
They deny the State the right to
exercise its own functions ofsovereignty.
They deny it the right to feel, to
practice the noblest and strongest
principles of humanity, to pour out
the milk of human kindness. All hail
the State that cares for the poor, the
afflicted, the oppressed All hail the
Srate whose chiefest and largest
concern is the education of each
generation, leading them with tender
and loving care even from the hovel
and the brothel to the log schoolhouse,
the technical and normal schools, up
through the University into paths of
usefulness and honor, where they may
walk erect and strong, the equals OF
millionaires and princes.
Much has been done for the Asylum,
but more remains. 1t must be equip
ped with teachers and apparatus until
the boys and girls who have received
its training may step from its doors
into the halls of the State Normal and
Industrial School for women, or the
University at Chapel Hill. These
orphan boys and girls must be fitted
here to 60 still further and higher.
Why kindle here the fire and chain it
to the rockf Why incite hopes and
aspirations by the furnishing of rudi-
mentary education here and not give
those hopes full play3
How cruel to cage the song bird,
take him to the light and let him smell
the sweet heather on the mountains,
and hear the joyous carol of the birds
of the forest, and then darken the cage
and shut out all hope of freedom, OF
light and of song! Do not arouse in
the breast of these orphans desire to
become part of our citizenship, and
deny them the opportunity Of so doing.
The avenues of all professions and OF
all labors must be opened to them.
The lever to open these avenues is
education.
Let the Orphan Asylum lead to the
University and then the orphan boy
has equal opportunity with the boy OF
wealth. Let the Orphan Asylum
maintain high grade academy, with
instructors and teachers and curriculum
equeal 20 any in America. 1t mus,
be done. In the light of an ideal SO
noble, the heart must warm up with
generous emotions, and the contending
criticisms and shallow objections oi
supersensitive pseudo philanthropists
must fade away like the dark and dull
mists of murky November day tefore
the rising splendor and genial warmth
of the MONDAY sun.
North Carolina has never been
laggard in its duty to the citizen. Il
has declared for his rights in times Of
great peril and maintained them
1t will minister to his needs in time O
peace. The State is animated by the
feelings that move the heart Of men
1t hath body, parts and possessions
1t votes funds to equip and maintain
prisons and penitentiaries. They are
the monuments of protection and self
preservation. 1t contributes to tn.
maintenance of the common school,
and the State Colleges and University
1t shows thereby its devotions K
intelligence. 1t lifts shafts of peerles
marble to perpetuate the glory Of it
soIdiery. 1t shows by this act it
PATRIOTISM. 1t builds home for tn
| ,r,rpded and veorv veteran of he ~