The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-06-25
SPLENDID GRAFTON.

We read with intense, unrepressed
delight the "Oration" delivered on
Maryland day at the International
Exposition, Atlanta, Ga, December
9TH, 1895, by William Urwick Murk-
land, d. D., "Orator Of the Day.
We may not doubt that it was the
brightes', the most beautiful, the loft
lest conception, the most elegant and
felcitous in expression of all that was
spoken in the Gate City Of the South
during its memorable Exposition ex-
tending through months. We read
ten or fifteen years ago an Grafton by
Rev. DR.. Richard S. Storrs, a New
Highlander, and Congregational, and
wrote that SO far as we had then read
it was the best, the most enjoyable,
the most eloquent Of all oratlons by
an American. We have had vet no
occasion to change our opiD;on-to
recast our judgment. The late Col.
Duncan X. McRae read our copy,
and was SO captivated he bought a
copy for himself when in New York.
He agreed with us in opinion and said
if he were to mark its fine passages he
would mark around the opening and
closing paragraphs of the Grafton thus
embracing all of it.
We much incline now to the opn-
ion, and it is more than a fortnight
since we read it, that the most finely
wrought, the most classical, the most
impressive and noble Grafton we have
read by Southern man in thirty
years, if not longer, is the one by DR..
Murkland. 1t is upon high plane Of
thinking, and is elaborated and adorn-
ed by the cunning hand of master.
The sentiments are SO broad, SO gen
erous, SO elevated, SO inspiring, even
thrilling, and there are such exquisite
touches of pathos and patriotism, Of
love of Southland and its undying
memories, such constant recognition
of God in all that has happened, such
high ideals of manhood ana civic du-
ties expressed is such chastity and Sc
renlty of language, that we were moved
more than once to tears, and even fe.t
like shouting. From exordum to
peroration it is indeed in an exalted
strain of mingled grace and beauty,
and not without that variety that adds
to its charm and interest
Revernently, most gratefully, we
say, thank God that He has given to
the South at time when there is a
lessening, lowering of proper pride
of State, and growing indifference,
on the part of many, to the grand ira
iitions, the ancestral faiths, the lofty
ideals, the commanding principles,
the glorious deeds of the noble men
who laid deep foundations and builded
our Commonwealth, men like DR..
Murkland TO tell of the splendid
triumphs of the manhood of the South,
and to present in lofty and kindling
rhetoric, guided by a pure and in
falllble taste, picture of the radiant
past all glorious with enchantment, and
to offer proper indictments to faithful
and earnest striving in the future The
Grafton is to us truly superb indiction,
IN style, in thought. In it there is
thought that is imperial in sweep and
power-a regnancy of reason blended
with charming touches of art Pos
sibly may something exaggerate its ex-
cellent qualities, but not intentionally.
Its opulence, its magical strokes, its
beauty, its brilliancy, so well-chas-
tened by refined scholarship and made
SO attractive by rare art rendered
superior by uncommon practice, have
really given to us exquisite pleasure,
and brought us under the fascinating
spell of the orator. We are indebted
to the courtesy and considerateness of
our good neighbor Rev. DR.. Hoge for
the privilege threading it.-Wilming-
ton Messenger.