The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-07-29

Sldlt, liz GAS
settled, where the first white
child in America vas born, where the
faithful colony of fifteen persisted; where
the first attempt at colonization was
made.
Yes. here where you meet today on this
sea-engirdled home o fthe brave fore
runners of our hiStory-ROanOke Island.
In conclusion, we bid you God-speed in
your noble desire to promote interest IN
the past history of North Carolina.
Though we are cut off by the waters OF
the sound from the mainland, still our
hearts beat with as true a patriotism as
hat which animates the sturdy inhabl-
tants of the Blue Ridge or the Smoky
Mountains, and whether the call be to
aid in noble work of peace and educa-
ton or to grasp the musket and stand
shoulder to shoulder in her defence, the
inhabitants of Roanoke will be true to
Carolina. We love her for her history
and we stand ready to make that history
now. as it has been in the past, glorious
and honorable.
And with the same kindly feeling that
inspired the friendly Manteo to receive
with welcome those visitors from over
the sea we once more extend to you,
the brothers of our common mother,
WelCOI1c 10 Jul ilOuothOiu Cho ~
island-home.
Hon. W.. D. Pruden, of Edenton, re-
sponded to this address OF welcome as
follows:
For the committee, which | represent,
7 am glad to thank you for the generous
welcome given us today.
To myself and many others who hear
me, it is always a pleasure to come
to your county and mingle with your
people. We know your sturdy men and
worthy women-we admire your loyalty
and patriotism and the courage and Wig
or of your citizenship.
Sometimes we wonder whether. after
all. history and tradition are not at fault
and your people the descendants OF the
hardy colony, supposed to have been lost.
To many of us clustered about your
shores are some of the brightest and
happiest memories we have.
From it's earliest history the people of
the Albemarle country have come here IN
search of health and social pleasure.
Here for generations, politicians have
caucassed. statesmen deliberatcd, friends
counseled together, and lovers whispered
into willing ears the old, old story.
Who Of us will deny that at some time
in his own life, soothed by your ocean
breezes and by your matchless
moonlight, he has himself fallen easy
captive to the blind God. Here | be-
lievc more counting has been lone and
more happy matches made than at any
ether place in the State.
But the occasion bids us turn our
thoughts to other things. Sentiment is
not your only possession. Though among
the lounges in the family of counties,
Dare has the Oldest history and is richest
in legend and tradition.
Here more than 800 years ago the first
effort to settle this continent was made
here was born the first white child-and
here the first Christian Baptism was
celebrated in America. Long, long be-
fore the boasted settlements preserved
in story and in song by the commemorate
patriotism Of our Northern neighbors,
were thought of these shores listened to
the song and prayers of the white man,
and witnessed his struggles to give a ma
ton to progress and to God. This is a
history of which We ought to be proud
a history worth preserving.
But what have we done to preserve it?
Where are our monuments and what his
| tories have we written? With shame VIC
must confess, that we nave failed in our
duty. We have permitted others to reap
the honors which are ours.
Ten years ago old Fort Raleigh, a
monument in itself to the magnificent
courage and splendid heroism Of Sir
Walter Raleigh's colony was almost lost
in the encroaching forest and our most
valuable records were permitted to
moulder and decay. How few of our
people then had heard even Of this preci-
Gus history-We nave improved some and
l believe are improving, a commendable
spirit of investigation and research is
growing among our people, but how few
even now know much of it. :.
The increased interest in this island
and it's history is due largely to the eff
forts Of that patriotic North CarOlinian
Prof. Edward Dawes, who aided by his
no less patriotic brother, Maj. Graham
Dawes, of New Bern, and a few Others
prompted solely by his love for NORTH
Carolina and for the truth Of history, in
the face of difficulties. which seemed al
most insuperable, inaugurated the move
ment, which has been taken up by other:
and like bread cast on the waters, finds
rich %fruition in the zeal and enthusiasm
manifested here today. Prof. Dawes has
gone to his reward, the reward Of thu
faithful. This was a good work and tn.
men who did it, deserve and will receiv,
the thanks Of our people.
Upon the death of Prof. Dawes, hi:
work was taken up by his brother, Mai
Dawes. AS a result Of this movemen
the Roanoke Colony Memorial Associa.
ton was Incorporated in Chowan count,
in March, 1894, and since then mucl
work has been done. But I prefer tina
you shall have a report Of this from
private letter to me first received from
Major Dawes.
: "106 Madison Avenue,
New York, N. Y. july 10. 1902
w. d. Pruden, Esq, Edenton, n. G..
My Dear Sir: = = = Briefly Tho,
; as to what has been accomplished b,
5 our organization. We have purchase,
5 two tracts of land at the northern en-
D of Roanoke Island, one of about "a
l acres, partially cleared, with good land
inss on both Croatan and Roanok
sounds. There are some delapidate
buildings on 1t not occupied. This trac
l stands in your name as trustee and
Tor sale, which as vet we have hoo