The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1899-01-12
The NOMINEE FOR 1900.
4 Visionary Suggestion for
the y or OF jubilee.
RE ROBERT STEIN.
Continued from last week.


| given an example Of unheard OF gen
crosby: we regard our expansion as
| directly in the interest of peace: we
! imagine that, if Matthew Arnold were
living he would no longer include us
| in the domain OF PhIistinism; but
| foreigners. not seem willing to I'M
| derstand that. They will have less
cause for doubling our motives when
they sec thc.nation display its pacific
spirit and its generosity toward its
| own flesh and blood. We have lon-
! pointed to our treatment Of the con-
| quered Confederacy as an example OF
unparalleled magnanamitv. The crit
| icism has, however, been made (per-
haps unjustiy) that our so-called con-
cessions were eXtorted by political
necessity. 1t is now in our power
| (but will not be much longer to make
a concession not open to that criticism.
| The spectacle of a nation voluntarily
and unanimously placing its govern
ment in the hands of one who forty
years before tried to oyerturn it, and
finding him Gas we certainly sha!D as
Jealous for its preservation as he once
was for its ruin, will be precedented
in history. Who will doubt the
strength ana generosity of our gov
| ernmcDt to distant possessions when
we display these qualities so SPLEEN
didly at home? And how greatly will
such an act raise the credit OF repub-
lican institutions throughout the
world, The forces OH the side Of
progress all over the globe are none
too strong; shall we refuse to lend
them the potent aid OF a popular
election determined solely by gener-
Gus motives. which must seem a radi-
cal departure from usual methods Of
other lands even more than of ours?
| Far down the centuries will this deed
shine from its conspicuous land
mark At the sight of its beauty the
startled world will hold its breath.
Shall we neglect this perpetual slim
ulous to the process which reaction
ton Of the world?*
A more important effect, however,
will be that on our own politics (Which
of course, cannot fail to influence
other lands) The good ascetic father
who wrote C0nSuctud0 c0nsWetadjae
sicu c{0cus ciur0 rctupGitur Habit
drives out habit rs nail drives out
naiD, anticipated the Neo-Lamarck-
ians who hold that an act repeatedly
performed induces a structure change
! which renders its performance easier.
To Introduce high principled habits
in politics, we must multiply high
principled political acts. In the life
of a nation. as in the life OF an indi-
vidual, every victory over base ten
denotes is a stepping-stone to other
| victories, 4 store Of resources for new
struggles, q precedent from which
every champion Of 4 good cause
draws inspiration and hope. What
glorious achievements iii the cause OF
good government may be looked for
in q century beginning with such Il
victory OF public spirit!
To the South, with its dismal race
question forever looming, apparently
insoluble, the future is dark enough;
let us make>it as bright as we can.
| Two additional measures will con-
Southern heart with joyful and patri-
otto emotion.
% Let the Government declare it's
willingness to assume the care of Con-
Tolerate cemeteries.
(2) Let the National Soldiers
Homes be opened to ex-Confederates.
The bills to this effect would be in
troduced with best grace by a Repub-
lican eX-Union soldier.
individuals should supplement the
| Governments efforts The needy
state of Southern educational insti-
buttons has been alluded to. Let
wealthy philanthropists in the year of
jubilee do their utmost in muniiicence
IN favor Of the South, and let their
donations be at least doubled by a
general subscription.
Such a definite and generous over
ture will sweep away the last vestige
Of resentment, which might linger,
no one knows how long, if we merely
trust to the slow, wearing action of
time. The memory of defeat will lose
its sting. for it will be indissolubly
associated with the plea for reconcile
alton and brotherly union, authentic
Gated in so substantial manner. The
war will become to Southerners rather
a pleasant theme for recollection and
| rehearsal, tor. aside from the final de-
feat. the record of the Confederate ar
mics for bravery, tenacity. and devo-
ton has never been excelled. Said
Yankee" in the writer's hearings:
They are purer Anglo-SaSons than
we; no wonder they fought better
Ever after. the South will look back
70 1900 as to new birth. Joy is
ever the best medicine. The des-
pondency engendercd by failure and
poverty. heavy clog on enterprise,
will give place to enthusiasm which,
united with the fine Aryan qualities
Of the Southern people, will create