The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-08-01
HENDERSON, N. c., THURSDAY AUGUST l. 1895.
have been 1918, and for 1894 it was
ren0ctad aa 10 e Ihis La Tor show;nnr L.

Q
| reported az 1916. This latter showing is
just little too good, and is, perhaps,
! the result of inaccuracies of some local
reports; but these may be balanced by
| adding small percentage to the death
| rate, making it, say, Is per thousand,
| and this record is one that no other
State in the Union can equal. Massa-
| chusetts, perhaps, secures and complies
| more complete records OF this character
than any other Northern State, and it's
| report for 1894 shows the death rate to
have been 20.74 per thousand. This
rate is closely approximated by the
mOrtuary record Of other Northern
States and sections.
We would like to make q comparison
of North Carolina's health and that OF
some other Southern States; but with
the exception Of Alabama none of them
issue health reports, and the compilation
of the Alabama report is of such a
character as to preclude the possibility
Of determining the health conditions
there.
Now, sir, from the facts here presented,
we can easily arrive at positive conclu-
sions which would constitute u practical
eulogy on North Carolina of such force
and elOquence as not to be easily
expressed, and for which no section of
earth can offer a more solid basis or
present stronger claims. Let us strip
this assertion of sentiment by one more
practical illustration: That dread dis
ease, consumption, is the cause of more
mortality than any one affiiction to
which mankind is subject The records,
taken as q whole, show that one-sevenM of
all deaths result from that scOurge, while
in North Carolina only one-twelfth OF the
mortality is from that source 1t would
be difficult to present more practical
or stronger proof than this in favor of
the superiority of North Carolina as
place of residence or resort. And while
what has been presented shows that it's
particular position on the earth and its
climatic conditions stamp it as place of
all places for a SUMMER resort, it is almost, if
not quite, equally as desirable as
winter resort.
Concerning these facts there ought to
be the fullest information and the widest
dissemination. As secretary of a COM
mercial organization in your capital
city, l am continually in receipt of
inquiries concerning the general status
of the city and State. And one of the
very first questions asked relates to the
death rate and general conditions of
health.
do not think the State Press could
exercise it's efforts toward a greater
benefit for North Carolina than to advo-
cate urge and secure sufficient public
appropriation to equip the Board of
Health with every agency necessary to
discover the fullest data relative to the
supreme advantages of climate and
healthfulness of our Commonwealth and
publish it to the world. This information
is OF first Importance to State which,
like ours, is seeking to attract imm-
grants of intelligence and character, and
to attract the tourist who is seeking
recreation and health. The health argu-
ment is one of our very strongest points
for pleasure seekers especially, but it
can not be very influential unless it is
plainly presented and clearly supported.
We have the facts. Let us collate and
to put them above the questioning of the
most random observer.
If it were not superfluOus here, it would
be proper to take some account OF the
beauty and magnifcence of the mountain
scenery-the gentle, graceful and pictu-
rescue undulations of the Piedmont
region-the soft, balmy winter winds and
soothing summer zephyrs ofthe Carolina
coast, which is the paradise of both rod
and gun-the myriads of springs from
which gush the elixir OF life from one end
of the State to the other-all of which
constitute unequalled inducements and
attractions for the tourist in search of
health, pleasure and sport. But of these
things we all know. Let us tell them to
others. Let us understand and proclaim
that, with the natural advantages that
tend to render growth more perfect,
decay less rapid. life more vigorous,
death more remote, the manifest destiny
of North Carolina is a near approach to
the tabled Atlantis as resting place for
all who seek temporary repose from the
stern exactions Of life, or home where
the most harmonious blending of natures
grandeur and beauty is seen-where the
fear of tempest is unknown and storm is
less frequent than anywhere else on the
globe.