The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-09-23

VI NOduOkc IS ABOUT 10 De IOlnIieO.
Thus we see history has repeated it.
self, save in this epoch the powers OF
oppression have gone further without
producing revolution than in any
other instance.
With these reflections my heart
would sink within me, and l would
count for naught all the blood and
treasure spent in the cause Of liberty,
but like the great and beloved Vance,
l believe the principle of true Democ-
racy, the principles upon which hn-
man freedom is based, are immortal;
that though the forms in which they
are encased may perish and decay, yet
like the liberated soul, they will put
on new glories in every phase of their
existence.
This fair land must not be given
over to greed and avarice; it is Gods
nursery ground for civil and religious
liberty. He will send the Moses of
our deliverance, the slumbering pa
triotism of the land will bestir itself
and rally around that leader, and I'M
less we return to the flesh pots of
Egypt, we shall cross the Dead Sea of
our undoing, and find rest under the
Tree of Liberty planted by our ances-
tors Of 1916. Oh! my countrymen! |
would that l had gift of tongues and
the power of eloquence, as stand in
this valley of discomfort, filled with the
dried fragments Of patriotism, that
might be instrumental in shaking them
from their slumbers, that bone would
come to bone, and sinews and flesh
cover them; that the God Of Liberty
would breathe upon them, that they
march forth an army of jealous patri-
OTIS, who would throw aside every sell
fish motive and be ready to do and
to die to save this fair land from the
hands Of her enemies. There must be
those who still love liberty, some
whose hearts still! beat i'll sympathy
with the high aspirations of our ances-
tors. Upon these rest the veal or woe
of the land of our birth.
These thoughts and medita,ions
suggested my theme for today, one
perhaps not anticipated by you, for
precedent would dictate that l speak
of the valor Of our comrades living and
dead, and first of all, of the patient
endurance and patriotic sacrifices of
our Southern women, God bless them
forever! But these are themes beyond
my ability and must be left to poets
and orators who can alone do them
justice.
The occasion, the history Of our
lost cause, the present unsettled and
feverish condition of the country leads
me to enquire, Are there any patriots
left in the land, and where are they
to be found2 photographers tell US,
patriot is one.who loves his country.
The examples furnished by history
teach that he is not only one who
loves his country, but one who is will
ing to lay aside every other consider
alton and to die if need be for his
country. Patriotism is not frenzied
passion born in the hour of excite
ment and danger, but glorious and
living reality. The virtue that gave to
Christianity its heroic form is immor-
tai, and will console and sanctify hu-
mainly. On the grassy hills Of Scot
land, the sword of Wallace still CLEANS
in tradition, and his name is an in
spiration to the cause Of human free
dom.
The genius of France, in song and
poetry, today pays high homage to
the piety and heroism of the Maid Of
Orleans. The untarnished sword Of
Lee, can never rust, though sheathed
forever, it will through all the ages
point the liberty-loving soul to pa,ri-
otto duty.
The experiences Of the civil war,
were such as tried mems souls, and if
there were patriots then, we perhaps
may trace their lineage to this day.
The population of the country has
been rapidly increased by foreign
immigration and according to the
census we have 10000, 900, native
born Anglo Saxons, 1000, 900, color
ed people and 100000, foreigners.
the latter increasing yearly by a
ratio largely in excess of our own,
until now large sections of the country
are over run by thriftless tramps, who
like the lice of Egypt are depredating
upon the rights of the people.
Secret political societies such as
Fenians, Nihilists and Anarchists,
brought from Russia and Ireland have
been engrafted among US, and society
has integrated to an alarming exten,
below that moral standard necessary
to uphold good government. From
this element there is no hope for the
perpetuity Of our Republican Institu-
tons. Our fathers in founding this
Confederation of States, saw that oul
land extending from ocean to ocean
could never be happy and prosperous
without local self government. In
fsct the States which formed the Con
federation, knew their best wants, and
best interests, and granted such power:
only to the General Government a.
tended to promote the common gooc
Of the whole, reserving to themselve:
the right to regulate their own do
mestic affairs. The very magnitude
of our territory, diversified in its inter
ests and usages, customs and tradi
tons Of its people, make local sell
government necessary for the gooc
order Of society. Yet there art
those in political authority who favo1
and protec, every species Of monopoly
trust and combine. Syndicates un
der the sanction Of law are formed
which have the power and use it, t
. corner the necessaries Of life and driv'
} The consumer RI dacperatioD want a n<