The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1895-03-06
North Cardinals Shame
From the ReIdsyille Review.

has indeed fallen on evil days.
The outcasts Of political vaga,
bondage in the saddle at Raleigh
having no interest in the good
name Of the State, have sought
every opportunity to burden y
with disgrace. The four winds
of the earth have taken up her
name and breathed il abroad as q
byword ofreproach and her shame
like that Of the painted harlot Of
the street. is Haunted in every
face. Not only has this vile and
vulgar mob taken hold Of our
laws and institutions and threat
ened us with every species Of vici-
GUS and disreputable legislation,
but its leaders have been heard to
say they were glad the best ele.
ment Of the people had been de-
feated. Anxious as the represen-
tatiyes Of such low political ori-
eia were to lay the hands Of van
dalism on everything in the State
which came in their way, yet il
was thought that there was one
supreme sentiment which burned
hallowed and sacred in every
breast, and that the homage We
all pay TO the precious memories
Of Washington and Lee. lrres-
pcctive Of party, section, race, col
or cor condition, we have come 10
look upon these men as the in
caruation ofthe purest and lofliest
ideals OF American manhood. The
history and the prestige Of these
b roes is &C mmon fund Of our
Americanisrn-a shrine with its
treasure troye Of gracious mem.
ories 10 which we are wont to
n.
make pilgrimage every year. II
is the one sacred tic which binds
Us 70 the glorifed past. The pass
ing contemplation Of the virtues
Of our great and good gone before
cannot but quicken into life all
that Is best in our natures.
We had come 10 regard the
fame Of Washington and Lee as
secure among our people for all
time. Their names are a preci.
Gus heritage to us-a priceless
legacy to our children. Their
characters are high ideals for liy-
ing; their heroism an inspiration
70 action an ong lovers Of liberty
everywhere. We thought the
memory Of these august men
would ever remain inyiolate. We
had crowned them with the laurel
and evergreen emblems Of fame
We had canoniEed them amonl
the galaxy Of the good and tn,
great; we had made for them /
niche IN the temple Of glory, and
We had thought that the icono
elastic spirit Of the age would pas
BY undisturbcd every mark 3
respect we are accustomed to pa!
70 the value and loyalty Of ihos'
majestic master spirits Of ourag
and country. We had come Z
think that they had a lease on Al
illustfious immortality.
But the integrity and the In
tel igence of North Carolina ]
no protection against the ipdig
mites Of this shlm,less ribal'
and infamous crowd Nor is tb
personal siblimity Of Washing
ton and Lee a defense agains
the imperious ignorance Of th
cANArLLs. who preach the goi
pei Of hate, and want TO tea
down the names and institution
which illuminate our ciyiliza
ton.
On the 18th OF January, whic
has been made a legal hOlida
In North Carolina, the Fusio
Legislature refused 20 testify i
respect 70 the memory Of Gei
Lee. On tho 22nd Of Februar!
the day upon which the Fath'
Of his Country was born, In u
annals Of American freedom .,
ond only as q red letter day
our calender year 10 the birth
our glorified Savior, the Legi
lature defiad all precedent