The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-05-20
STATD NORMAL COLLEGE CON-
MENCEMENT AND MR.. WALTER
II. PAGES ADDRESS.
Editorial Correspondence.)

ii. PAGES ADDRESS.
editorial Correspondence
Greensboro. N. O., May 10, 1897.
That was an inspiring audience that
greeted Mr.. Walter II. Page as he rose
to deliver the commencement address this
morning. The large graduating class
was inspiration enough in itself, but
added to that was the presence OF distin'
guished men from all sections Of the
State, who had come to greet the bril-
liant North Carolinian who had return
ed home with many honors. More priz-
ed, however, to the speaker and more
stimulating was the presence of his faith
er, Mr.. A. f. Page, President Of the
Aberdeen railroads. successful business
man who rarely leaves his business to go
to commandments, and whose coming
here is appreciated almost as much as the
speech OF his distinguished son.
happen to know that between this
father and son, both masterful and sue
cessful in widely different fields, there
is a confidence and an esteem that is as
beautiful as it is uncommon. The son
venerates the fathers great common
sense, largeness of business view, sturdy
integrity and Tar-heel directness and
frmness. The same qualities illustrate the
sons life in a widely separate field. The
son would sooner risk the wise fathers
judgment upon public questions and the
reception of new views than his own,
and in his fathers business sagacity he
has unquestioning confidence. The faith
er is proud OF his scholarly son, making
his way from the Cary home to the centre
of the most learned society that enyirons
Harvard. The Cary folk, and the So
cial life that surrounded Mr.. Page in his
boyhood, knew little of the cult Of Elmer
son, Lowell, and the great New England
lights, but they had that love for truth,
that culture OF the heart that counts
for more than mere schola icism. The
mingling Of the virtues OF the Tar-heel
with the culture of Boston makes pro-
duct of the highest American civilization.
The Atlantic Monthly is the secular
bible to literary New Englanders. The
fact that North Carolina boy is the
editor OF this Yankee literary light tells
a story that shows we have passed the
day OF sectionalism in literature. No
man could gain that position without
literary ability of high order, and with
out brains and executive ability. There
is no heredity in literature. Men do
not inherit positions in the literary world.
They gain it by brains. Mr.. Page owes
his present position to the fact that he
has made himself leader among leaders.
The strong common sense that always
marked him still dominates his life. He
loves the truth, the light, justice, fair
ness, equality. He despises shams, or
what sayors of them. He speaks his mind
with utter disregard as to what Col, This
or Judge That may say about it. He is
frank to the refreshing point. He is a
thinker. He believes in himself and in
his fellow man. He wants to hasten the
coming of the day when narrow distinc-
tons and unworthy social creeds will be
of the past He has great faith in the
Normal and Industrial School, and thinks
it will change the current of social order.
His speech speaks for itself. He is no
orator and he knows it. He is the clear
est and freshest talker North Carolina
has produced in this generation. He never
speaks unless he has something to say
that he thinks the world would be the
better for hearing. And when he had
delivered his message to-day, direct from
an honest heart aid honest brain, the
consciousness of duty performed enabled
him to bear criticism or praise alike with
equanimity. He gave expression to no
sentiments upon the inspiration Of the
moment. They were the result of long
reflection. 1t took him fifteen years to
write the speech. 1t was the result OF
more than that many years Of refect'0n