The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-01-18
GOV. AYcocK,s INAUGURAL


will be very generally read
North Carolina by men OF
|all parties and races It is a carefully
prepared document. 1t is well worded,
with a certain ~terseness. directness
and simplicity that are very pleasing
are but few passages that ous
deeply the soul. or kindle with the fires
lof imagination. But there are many
simple and delicious axioms that will
please, and a Jul wisdom ramifying
the whole production giving 1t force
and health and excellence. 1t will
come a. nigh pleasing everybody, we
may think, as any address of h kind
that was ever delivered at the inaugu-
ration of a governor of North Carolina.
1t is a prudent, guarded. conservative
effort, and is replete with sentiments
that appeal to the judgment, cando
and fairness of all men, 1t may be of
course objected to in so1nc point pre-
Isented or in the expression of some SEN
ltiment, but tina is the fate OF all hu-
man productions. If read in a spirit
of candor it will be relished and ap-
Iplauded.
His review of cond1uionS in North
Carolina prior to 1900. is clear, forceful,
correct. and all men will so see it who
are not blinded by ~partisanship or rid
den by ignorance. The picture has no
distorted effects or fiamboyant color
ing. The lights and shades are natural
and true.
The new governor is a great enthusi-
asst for education and at mucn length
presents his views. With the general
aim of his reflections most people will
agree. Education is an essential, a
mighty power, a great blessing, but the
education of the mind never yet chang
ed a soul, gave the new birth to a trem-
bling sinner. or lifted mankind to a
high, commanding moral plain. The
lpe%nitentiaries and reformatories of.the
world are filled with educated people.
Educate the mind, out DO not stop with
lit, or it will prove superficial in its best
~Ieffects. Education is a trinity. Man is
not only complex, but he requires to be
Educated in three particulars-the
head, the heart and the hand. There is
something far greater and better than
simply. training the. intellect. The
lworld is full with human hyenas n
devils who have educated minds. The
Messenger is with the governor in his
l~efforts to provide the best possible
Education for the children of North
lCarolina and of both races. 1t will per-
lhaps consider at another day how far
la state should go in levying taxes and
piling up public debts to run schools.
In running through the address we be-
lieve that the governor avoided the
brock of compulsory education, q very
undemocratic and violent usurpation of
power and loaded with Capitalization.
do not let the principle Of commercial
ism get into our schools-the idea of
how much you can maxi out of educa-
tion. There are far greater blessings
that come to the truly educated mind
than commercialism has amy glimpse of
Ieven, much less a proper understand
ing of. There are higher, nObler,
lgrander things in this life than MAX
ling money-than in sordid gains. I'm
lprove the public schools and foster the
higher state institutions are duties i'm
operative upon the legislators. Gov
Iernor Aycock is really interesting and
impressive in urging his views as TO
education.
His remarks are urgent and potent,
we hope, in behalf of a proper, fair
effective election law. Let all qualified
men be permitted to vote and be sure
Ito prevent the debarred from voting
those not qualified. Let ballot suffers
repeaters, and youth under the voting
age have no farther privileges in North
Carolina elections. Be Just. be honest,
be true, and the law will be made &C
Icordingly.
The governor is very plain and vigor-
Gus in his remarks upon the amend
ment. 1t contains nothing new, but the
old is stated with much of charity and
convincing force. There is no little of
good, useful Sunday school talk in the
address. But it is calculated to do
good and will interest.;1He promises
most excellently and we must hope his
performance will be in full harmony.
relies upon Jehovah for help, wis
dom, guidance.