The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-11-20
a. N0tabl8 address.
Bishop Fitzgerald Lectures to the Historical Society on "A
Glance Before Around and Ahead"


Carolina Conference, Bishop Fitzgerald
delivered the following address before
that body as reported by the Winston
Sentinel:
BISHOP FITZG ADDRESS
IF | could make this address an his
torica orchestra, you might be paid for
the tax on your time and patience in
listening to it. What sounds are in the
air at this historical anniversary to-
night! The sharp report of the pioneers
muskct in the prmeval forest; the
bugle's shrill note; the clash of bayonets
and the roar OF artillery at Alamance
and Guilford courthouse; the voice of
holy song and prayer in forest groves
and sauctuaries built for God and dedi-
Gated to his worship; the high resolves
of men to be free or die; the shouts of
victory for freedom won; the song Of
praise to the God Of battles when the
fight was overall these sounds are in
the air tonight and alas, for you my
voice is to he added to them all. To
review all the history Of North Caro-
lima would require glance at nearly
every notable in all this Southland from
Dan river to the Mississippi, from Ala
nance to AppomattoX, from Pamlico to
Paradise from Walter Raleigh to all Of
the living North Carolnians who are
glad that we are her children. Our
dear old mother-God bless her forever!
THE plan of this address will be very
simple; o. A glance backward; (2D
4 glance around at things as they are;
90 A glance forward, with Il little
prophesying."
"In 1884 was made the visit Of the
first white man to North Carolina. The
name Carolina is masculine in it's deri-
walton. in honor of Charles the Ninth.
This jars on us somewhat; the name
and the land are beautiful enough for
feminine nomenclature. Think Of it
Carolina bearded Spanard. rather
than beautiful woman! This is one Of
the surprises of history to some persons"
Continuing his glance backward, the
Bishop reviewed several important
events in the political history of North
Carolina. and, commenting upon the
spirit Of self-government, said:
This explains our sympathy for Gu
ba; she wished to govern herself rather
than to be misgoverned and robbed from
abroad. 1t does not seem possible that
she can do worse for herself than Spain
was doing for her. Hands off! say
American freemcn to the would-bc COVER
nors and taxpayers of Europe. And
this is the principle on which some of
the American citizens oppose a colonial
policy for these United States. We
want to annex nothing that we cannot
assimlate. We do not want big stand
ing armies, heavy taxation, shoulder
strap struttings, and carpet-bag politics
all of which would inevitably come
with colonial policy by these United
States We will keep Manila, and keep
other hands off the FilipinoS, so that
they may govern themselves if they can
or take the consequences if they can
not
Referring to the fact that North
Carolina was the first to go out from
under subsection to the British rule and
me of the last to come into the Federal
Union. the Bishop said: THAT is her
way. She won't move until she gets
ready to do so and then nothing can
stop her-bless her wise, conservative,
stubborn old soul!'
Leaving the sphere of things secu-
glance at the history of the religious de-
nominations in North Carolina, and from
his remarks along this line we make
brief extracts:
"The Episcopalians came first, and
in the colonial days were the estab-
lished church politically" '"Ihey are
lkin to the Methodsts back yonder at
the start The low church Episcopalians
md the high church Methodists now
come very close to each other. They
nay get together by and by; evolution is
Onward"
1.-THE Roman Catholics have been few
md of good behavior in North Carolina.
William CASTOR was a Roman Catholic,
md no name is more respected by all
.orts Of Christians than his
The Presbyterians came early, and
Violently with the conviction that they
we're fore-ordained to stay and do some
hing for God and the commonwealth"
They are grand people they have had
hand in every good thing that has
cen done in North Carolina since they
anne, and they will be in the thick of
he good fight of faith until the end.
We do love them ais fellow believers, and
vilf be glad to keep step with them in
the forward march of the militant host
If the King Of Saints.
'"fhe Moravians came in lI0S-sO
allied because they came from the Mar
uisate of Moravis in Germany. The
irst village they built was called Betha-
ARA; the next was Bethany, and after
ward Salem was built, becoming their
hief town, the center of a thriving
radc. and in time the seat of the most
iourishing school for women i'll the
Southern States. The record of these
Horavians makes a blessed chapter i'll
he history of North Carolina. The
cry air here at the seat of the Confer
nee is fragrant with memories of them.
There is scarcely home in all our land
hat is not better for the influence of
hat old Moravian school at Salem, es-
ablished in 1904. And when we reach
he heavenly Salem-city of peace be
'ond the mystic river of death-we shall
ind there Il blessed company of sweet
ouled. sweet-faced women who were
here trained for holy service IN their
,arthly homes and for the companion
hip of glorifcd spirits in the city of
Tod One educated Christian woman,
Trough her children and her children
hildren will bless the world as long as
t lasts"