The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-11-26
ORGANIZATION PERFECTED 10
SECURE NATIONAL PARK IN
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA,
Is NECESSARY TO PRESERVE PRIMEv Il
FOR SITS.
Congress VIII Be Requested 10 Establish a
National Park Along The Same Lines
That It Established HE yell
lows one Park

Asheyille, \. c., Nov. 1T Editorial
Cerrespondence.l- THE meeting which
closed here yesterday was more largely
attended by representative men Of half
a dozen states than had been expected.
Many leaders in all lines who were I'M
able to be present in person sent letters
of approval OF the Plan to establish a
National Park in Western North Caro-
lima. Those who We're present from
New York, Illinois and Ohio were if
possible more enthusiastic than the pub
lic-sg6rited North Cardinals, and all Of
them have faith thar if the attention OF
Congress can be obtained and the mat
ter fnIly considered. the National Park
and Forest Reserve Will be established in
Western North Carolina. There is no
park or res Iwation. If we except the
laftle-field near Chattanooga, in the
South The Yellowstone is too far from
rho centres of population, too difficult oI
access. aud is wanting In the pleasing
beauty that makes the mountains OF
Western Ncrth Carolina the loyeliest
mountain section in the world
Tie proposition to establish a National
Park in the Southern Appalachian noun
tsEns is rot new, but the meeting held
here this week is the first organized eff
tort to secure its establishment, lose
'who were here to inaugurate the move
ment recognize that in enterprise oil this
Tuagnifnde is attended with many diff
ci1lfies and that it cannot be accomplish
cd in q day. but the fact that every visi.
tor to these mountains is charmed ana
that among fhe most earnest advocates
of Tire Park are the forest experts ar
leaders of other sections and other conn-
tries makes the suggestion one of ma
tional origin as we'll as of national i'm
rortance. The reasons why Nationa
Park should be established in his lan(
OF beauty were well set forth in the reso
buttons adopted by the convention. They
gave i'm succinct shape the reasons fol
the faith that is in the patriotic promo
tiers. and stated the plans of the Appala
chan National Park Association which
was formally organized last night.
The officers elected are as follows:
Pnesident-Geo. s. Powell, of Ashe
vile.
Secretary and Treasurer-Dr. c. 2
Amber, of Asheville.
Vice Pnesidents-F'rom North Carroll
ma: A. H. McQuilkin, Moses Cone, r. D.
GiEmer, Hugh MdRae, j. r. Caldwell
Harry Walkers, A. lB. Andrews. $. Witt
kowsky. f. r. Hewitt: from Tennessee
Hon. PentonI Mcmillan, Prof. G. w
Dabney, Hon. r. T.. Taylor; from Ndr
gialia. J. SHELTON Williams, Hon. .Johl
w. Daniel. Hon. Hoge Tyler; from Soutl
Carolina. John b. Cleveland, n. g. Gon
zales: from Kentucky, Prof John r
Proctor. Hon. j. G. s. Blackburn; from
Georgia, J. j. Seay, Clark Howell, Hon
]. Gambler; from West Virginia Prof
Corbeft.
The twelve directors aree From
South Carolina, ]. c. Darlington; from
Washington, ID. c.. III. v. Richards; from
Fillmore. G. A. Schenck; from Georgia
p. A. Stovall: from Kentucky, s. c
Mason; from North Carolina, j. a
Holmes, Charles A. Webb. "A. NJ. Wad
dell. J a. NICHOLS, f. r. McKisSick,
c. WEIGH, Josephus Daniels
The discussions in the convention weis
instructive and interesting and profitable
hut perhaps the best lesson of the nee.
Of establishing a National Park in tlli
section is the object lesson i'm the Van
tlerbilt estate. a drive through tina
magnificent park of 10000 acres wa
revelation to Those who had not be
fore seen what that scholarly, thoughtful
and wise young millionaire has wrought
Tt ought to be included as one Of til
Seven Wonders OF the World Tn
Hanging Garden were as nothing
compared to the panorama that street.-the
ont before the eye. Much of what Nj
Vanderbilt bought needed tire skill 0
the landscape gardener and the wealtl
Of Midas to restore it to its primeva
loneliness Thousands of pines and acre
of honeysuckles have been planted. Ont
mountain he removed. mot by faith bu
by works Much Of the land had bee
cultivated from the earliest settlement
of the country and is as fertile as tn
rich plains of Willamette valley. 1t i
an ideal home for king-and Wander
bilt is a modern king whose sway ina
brought help and fame and glory t
Western North Carolina. He bought a
the very place for a gentleman of Gu
trire and taste. who desired to have
solitude amid the mountains, but not to
far away to hear the engines blow an
TO be almost portion of Carolina
most beautiful mountain city.
The object lesson the Vanderbilt estat
teaches as to a National Park is thi,
that the days Of the primeval forest
are passing. and if they are to be PR
served in their virgin beauty and gran
deur an end must be put to the rapi
denuding of the forests. Vanderbilt,
order to make some parts of his estat
i'm keeping with that further from Ash'
willie, has been compelled to spend larq
sums to initiate nature. If he had wal
ed twenty years later to purchase d
princely place, there would have bee
too much imitation to have made it wort
his while to bury so near this wonderfl
city.
The day is not far distant when. IL
axe Of the woodman will be heard upo
the slopes of the mountains now far r