The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-06-11


front OF the stage was received with
generous applause. The General
never looked better, nor spoke with
more taste and grace. He referred to
the Flce-President as one of the most
distinguished Americans, to which
there was hearty response, and took
occasion, with the well-known gallan-
try OF his nature, to close his remarks
with an exquisite reference to the
charming young women who had ac-
companied the Nice-President and who
were now sitting in 'front.'
When Mr.. Stevenson arose, the ap-
plause was more than applause; ther e
seemed to be more than appreciation in
IT; there was the thrill of welcome in
1t, and the Nice-President seemed to
feel that thrill, acd met the impulse at
once III a way that put him instantly
III warm touch with the North Caro-
liniai.s who felt pride in him as be-
longing partly to them.
MIR. Stevenson could not have hit
upon happier way o. opening his re-
marks than by referring to his coming
as somewhat of return home. The
people had been all the time feelin.
this, and now they were one with the
speaker, whose every word hence forth,
was full OF low, OF cheer, of strength
and, best of all, of Tarheelishness.
North Carolina names and North Car
Dina counties glittered through the
opening sentences. The speaker was
dressed in full black, with coat of Prince
Albert cut, standing collar and plain
black tie. He read his remarks, using
his eye glasses constantly.
The first twenty minutes of the Vice
Presidents speech was a pleasant ref
crence to the fact that this was the
home OF his ancestors, and that he full
filed a long cherished desire in coming
to the University of North Carolina.
He adverted to the important epochs in
the history of North Carolina, and
named the declaration at Mecklen burg
III connection with the grant of the
Magma Charta at Runnymede. The
Vice president then gave statesman
like discussion of the adoption of the
| Constitution, and its perfection as evil
deuCed during the long time it has met
the needs Of the American people, and
the growth and changing conditions of
our civilization. Concluding he said
II trust that no apology is needed
for the brief reference to the glorious
achievements of our ancestors. One
OF the greatest of IN Ddern writers has
/ truly said \ people which takes no
| pride i'll the noble achievements of re-
mote ancestors, will never achieve any
thing worthy to be remembered with
/ pride by remote descendents'
Let me here recall, young gentle
men. the words of admOnition of Wash
iuyton as he laid down the great office
! to which he had been twice elevated
by his grateful countrymen. The hun
dred years that have passed since these
words were uttered have not lessened
| their value.
''IIe said: The great rule of con-
duct for us, in regard to foreign ma
tions, is in extending our commercial
relations, to have with them as little
political connection as possible. 1t is
our true policy to steer clear of perma-
nent alliances with any portion of the
foreign world. Taking care always to
| keep ourselves by suitable establish
ments, in a respectable defensive pos
ture, we may safely trust to temporary
alliances for extraordinary purposes
Harmony and liberal intercourse with
all nations are recommended by policy,
humanity and interest. Constantly
keeping in view that it is folly in one
! nation to look for disinterested favors
from another; that it must pay with a
portion Of it's independence for what
ever it may accept under that charac-
ter, there can be no greater error than
to expect Or calculate upon real favors
from nation to nation. 1t is an illusion
which experience must cure, which
a Just pride ought to discard
while we believe that 'our greatest
interest is peace, yet we cannot close
our eyes to the perils that possibly in
the near future may come from foreign
jealousies and aggresslons. Need re-
mind you that when dangers from
abroad threaten, party banners are
furled-party names forgotten? In the
words of Webster Our politics go no
further than the waters edge We
study the things that make for peace,
but must never forget worse even than
war. with all its horrors, is national
dishOner.
1T was the earnest prayer Of Wash.
ington that Heaven would continue
to his countrymen the choicest tokens
of its benefcence.' May we not be.
lieye that our land has been the ia
vored of the Almighty during all the
years of our eventful history. Truly
he hath not dealt so with any nation.
''lt is said that in Venice there is sa
credly preserved a letter written by
Columbus, few hours before he sailed
from Palos. With reyerent expression
of trust in God-humbly but with un
faltering faith-he spoke of his past
voyage to that famous land H.
bullded wiser than he knew. His dream
while a suppliant in the outer chamber
Of kings, and while keeping lonely vigi
upon the deep, was the discovery of {
new pathway to the Indies. Yet, who
can doubt that to his prophetic soul
was then foreshadowed something o.
that famous land with the warp ant
woof of whose history, tradition ant
song. his name and fame are linked foI
all time Was it Mr.. Winthrop wht
said of Columbus and his compeers
They were the pioneers in the march
to independence, the precursors in the
only progress Of freedom, which was tt
have no backward step In the mod
est words of the great navigator, he
only opened the gates and 10, there
came in the builders Of new anC
mighty nation.