The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-07-27

IMAGINATION. Amadas and Barlowe as
they sail along our shores or cali TO
mind the unfortunate colony or Ralpn
Laun. the first governor of this uncer-
tain beginning of North Carolina.
And through history, we have new
vision of Sir Walter Raleigh, after all
his exploits had been failures, as he Is
called before a jealous King and falls an
innocent victim to royal hate and
tyrannical spite. Still there remains in
every loyal North Carolinian, heart
full of love and pride for the name Of
Raleigh.
Well might every North Carolinian re-
peat, where Manteo greeted the whites,
where were laid the first arches of en-
pire;
"And freedom looked down from its
height.
What though the grim hand of disaster
Swept over the Island and sea,
There's ever a charm in the story,
That tells of Raleigh to me-"
And gentlemen there can be no other
place more fit for the memorial service
which you intend to hold than historic
Roanoke Island.
Again l would say we bid you welcome
to our midst. and hope than in your
consideration you will unanimously de-
eide to hold your memorial celebration
in this extreme Eastern part of your
State, where the first colony of North
Carolina settled, where the first white
child in America was born. where the
faithful colony of fifteen persisted; where
ha frs colonization was
made.
Yes, here where you meet today on this
sea-engirdled home 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
that which animates the sturdy inhabi-
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,
welcome to our household and to our
island home.
Hon. w. D. Pruden, of Edenton, re-
sponded to this address of welcome as
follows:
For the committee, which I represent,
l 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 deliberated, friends
counseled together, and lovers whispered
into willing ears the DID, old story.
Who of us will deny that at some time
in his own life, sOothed by your ocean
breezes and enchanted by your matchless
captive to the blind God. Here l be-
leve more counting has been done 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 youngest 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 boosted 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
history worth preserving.
But what have we done to preserve it?
Where are our monuments and what his
tories have we written? With shame we
must confess, that we have 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 Raleighs 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 have 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, e.
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