The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1899-07-20
Or, ALDERnAN'S LECTURE.
An Able. Scholarly, Captivating Ad-
dress-Subject IAN Educated Citi-
zenship''-A Word In Behalf OF
Graded Schools for Henderson.


1t was not the editors pleasure to
hear DR.. Alderman's address at
Cooper Opera House on Wednesday
night of last week. Knowing we
would be away at the time we re-
quested a friend to take mental note
and write brief account for US,
which he kindly did. as follows:
DR.. Alderman, President of the
University, lectured last Wednesday
evening to large and appreciati.e
audience His theme IAN Edu-
Gated Citizenship" never devoid OF
interest to thoughtful minds, under
the treatment of the scholarly, elo-
quent speaker seemed invested with
peculiar charm.
After dwelling at some length on
the civic forces which have been
operative for years, resulting in the
production OF a new type of citizen
ship, the speaker proceeded to-an in
teresting delineation of the character
of the Southern boy in the changed
conditions in~which he must live and
move. He represented this boy as a
lover of truth, Of good capacity, hon
est, enthusiastic, ambitious, courage
Gus, yet wanting in singleness of aim,
in detiniteness of purpose. The boy
does not know ust what he is going
to do, nor how he is going to accom-
plish it,
The speaker defined politics as
applied PATRIOTISM" He stated
that we have in this country what
might be styled alcoholic patriotism,
noisy, turbulent, its opponents howl
ing, My country, if right; but my
country right or wrong" There
exists, too, what might be called
ancestral patriotism, regarding the
noble achievements of our fore
fathers as sufficient for present needs.
In addition we have local patriot
ism. selfish in its spirit. narrow in its
reach, Indifferent to national or
worldwide prosperity.
1t was strenouslv insisted that the
only patriotism worthy of the name
is that which seeks to promote the
highest prosperity of the whole
country. Who shall be leaders in
this noble work? This Southland of
ours would instinctivelv recoil from
alien leadership. The forces which
will produce right leadership must
operate slowly. No commanding
voice is to-day heard at the bar. on
the hastings, in the Senate chan Der,
or in the pulpit. In the varied call
ings of life we find true, noble,
scholarly men; yet, instead of leader
of multitudes we have 4 multitude
of leaders.
The following question, which in
wolves prophecy. was asked: HAS
not the South in the development
superior, something more sacred to
contribute to civilization than can be
procured from any other source?'
While laying stress on the impor-
lance of an educated citizenship the
speaker forcefully emphasized Hen
derson's need of system of graded
schools. 1t was confidently asserted
that under such a system more chill
dren could be educated and at less
cost than could possibly result in
private schools. That in the larger
towns of North Carolina the forces
which are working toward the estab-
lishment and maintenance of graded
schools are simply irresistible,-such
schools are necessity.
DR.. Alderman's address is ad-
mittedly one of the finest ever deliver
ed to a Henderson audience. We
shall be delighted to have him "come
this WaV again."