The news & observer., 1897-01-26
| BRILLIANT AUDIENCE
AND A BRILLIANT. ELOQUENT
AND TELLING GRAFTON.
QUESTIONS BY JOSIAH TURNER
That Made Some Diversion -Qr. Curry
Declined to Speak Upon Mat
ters of State Appro-
priaions

General Assembly yesterday morning on
fhe subiect of Education. There were |
present the Governor and State officers.
the educators of the city and other eduea-
tors, and others interested in public edu-
cation.
He spoke upwards Of an hour, being
feucitously introduced 6y Representative
McCreary. OF Davidson county. It was a
strong, able and vigorous presenrnFlon
Of the necessity for education, and an
earnest. eloquent and thrilling appeal TO
the members Of the General Assembly
to rise to the height of the responsibility
resting upon them. The learned doctor
was rarely more eloquent than Wnen'
towards the conclusion of his address, he
pictured the mothers in their cabins with
arms extended to the representatives OF
the people, begging that their children be
given equal opportunity with the children
of other Commonwealth. SO moved was
the speaker by the pathos Of these hum
bic mothers, desiring nothing but chance
for their children, that the tears came
into his own eyes, and his burning words
of eloquence brought tears to many eyes
unused to weep.
1t is not possible to print any synopsis
Of his glowing words, fresh from his
heart on fire with the love of little chill
dren. He gave the legislators advice that
they will do well to heed, advice that they
heard gladly. At the conclusion OF his
address, a rising vote of thanks was
given by the General Assembly, in which
the visitors joined.
An incident that tended to mar the ef-
r.. axl.o l. ,oI - nlnca
Mr.. Josiah Turner, who occupied seat
well up in front, rose when DR.. Curry had
finished and said: II desire to ask DR..
Curry a question"
Sneaker Hileman, who was presiding,
turned to DIR. Curry and said: "The gen.
tleInan from Orange would like to ask
YOU question. Will you answer it,?
DR.. Curry, who was very busy gather
ing up his notes and papers, showed evil
dent displeasnre at the interruption, but
signified that if the question was asked
he would answer it if he could.
Mr.. Turner said: You have asked a
good many questions. | would like to
ask you one. If you were member OF
this General Assembly. would you vote
an appropriation to the University as in
the past, or would you put keg Of pow
under it and blow it up?
DR.. Curry: 81 am not a member of the
General Assembly, and therefore,"
Mr.. Turner, interrupting: II know that
but if you were, which would you do:
vote for the appropriation or put keg
of gun powder under it
DR.. Curry: II would let my hand palsy
and my tongue cleave to the roof Of my
mouth before / would put any powder
under it."
Mr.. Turner: But you have not an
swered my question"
Dr. Curry: 81 decline to answer
The members crowded around DR.. Cur
ry to thank him for his address, and the
incident was in few moments forgotten.
In the afternoon, DR.. Curry gave sit
ting for Mr. Randall, the artist, who has
commission to make a portrait Of DR..
Curry for a celebrated public institu-
ton.
SYNOPSIS OF ADDRESS.
DR.. Curry began his address by say
ing, 81 am no politician, and am not
here to express in the remotest degree
any opinion ON those question that de-
vide parties; but on a theme that ought |
to concern every human being. This is |
the third time | have addressed the Gene |
raj Assembly
81 am partially a North Carolinian, |
spending my summer in Buncombe.
"The other day | happened to make
purely extempore speech. and one astute |
editor suggested that ] ought hereafter |
to write all my speeches. The editor |
doubtless thought IL | would write.
would catch the grip" or contagion of
being as wise as he is.
San intelligent English school inspector
said the difference between America and
others countries was the people in the I
most progressive States of America be- t
leve In education. As proof Of their
belief they were willing to make sacri- I
fees. Judged by that test, you do not /
believe in education.
Americans ought to be in favor of
and it is due to the Democratic
character Of our people that they are +
foremost in faith"
'sThere is notion that white people (
to be educated. | will read
you q note that speaks eloquently for +
education:
'.Andrew L. flanagan Dr., to Andrew
Johnson, making one coat, $3.50 Reed. |
Payment. Dec 1929. A. Johnson"
Education ought to be general, not
for the better born, but that all-from
for equal development.
''Unversa suffrage has no anchorage
except in the peoples intelligence. THE
only safeguard to universal suffrage is
universal education" said Gov. Johnson.
of Alabama He is a North Carolinan,
and regard him THE educa tional Gov
ernor Of the South
'.frhere are more cowardly men in the
Legislature than in any other portion OF
the community. / have seen men with
unblanched cheek walk into the very
thiekest of the contest in war. have
seen these same men in the Legislature
so cowardly that they would hide them
selves till Mr.. Talk Loud would tell
them how to vote.
..It was a calamitious mistake OF recon-
struction TO give the negro the ballot
without qualification. Illiterate votes are
a deadly enemy to constitutional govern
ment.
~ bava hoard or frauds IN elections