The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1902-11-27
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER ~, 1902.
NOW ON VANTAGE GROUND.
The Present Moment Propitious For
High and Noble Achievement in
North Carolina.

The Present Moment pfOpitiouS fOf
High and Noble Achievement in
North Carolina.
Monroe journal.
Below we copy an editorial from
the Charlotte Ohsrrvcrregarding the
better times which We can all help to
bring about. The Observer IS quite
right in the opinion that material
prosperity is the best basis for moral
and intellectual advancement. No
individual can do much towards the
cultivation OF the graces when he has
to pcrsistcntly Wrestlc with the prob
lem OF existence, nor can n people.
Then let us strive fOrthc good things
OF mHtrrial prosperity, not only for
their own sake but for the good that
lies beyond. The aim OF the Journal
has been to fulfill its public duty by
doing all III its power to stimulate
not only he material interests Of its
section. but to likewise urge the
necessity for better thinking. better
feeling and better living. With the
easier circumstances now III sight.
each citizen should strive to do more
for himself. his family and his cOun-
try. While We would not disagree
with the Observer that we can have
too much politics OF the better sort
(pOlitic~ in the broad sense OF the
public WcliareD, we would call attrn-
ton to the fact that We are now in
danger OF going to the OthereXtreme
and nrglccting our real public duties
1t Is not too much politics that We
may have but too much Ofthe wrong
spirit in which We practice our poll
tics, and this fact our contemporary
i right in calling attention to.
Following is the article from the
observer above mentiOned:
Two or three of our cOntempOr-
aries have remarked with satisiac-
ton since the election that, as Il re-
suit of OF it, as Il result OF the disap-
p"aramre OF the negro from politics
and he almost humiliation of the
Republican party, We are to have
long period OF peace, OF freedom from
political strife and conflict, in North
Carolina. 1t is to b" hoped so, and
ne is he best citizen who will labor
most effectively to this end,
Til" base passions OF the people
need to sleep, to 90 undisturbed and
their nObler natures to becultivHted
Conditions are NOW favorable to
higher thought and better perform
anrrS Legislation may now be CON
sidrrrd Deliberately. without the
noise accompanying the clash of
party. without the rancOr OF faction.
We are on thnt vantage ground
which is fHvOrHbletO high and endur-
ing achievement. We are at the
threshold OF IL period i'll which. the
clamOr OF cOntcnding races and
parties hushcd. We may turn upper
turbed minds to the accomplishment
OF things which will elevate North
Carolina, set he feet of our people in
lOfticr ways and rebound to the ben
eft of posterity. 1t were well il, at
this juncture, when circumstances
are SO propitious, when the bow of
promise is brighter in the sky than
it was ever in all our history, there
should be Il universal resolution to
put mere politics, especially small
politics, away for the present and
give thought to the things which
make for the uplifting the the people
and Tor the general welfare. Material
prosperity is not to he despised-we
have it now in larger measure than
ever before: it is necessary to con
tcntment and to the development of
the best that is i'll Il people: let us by
industry and thrift seek to enlarge it.
But it is not all Education is to be
fOstcrcd; Il larger charity to the un-
fortunate should be exercised; Il bet
ter apprehension OF the duties OF cit
Zcnship deserves to bc inculcatad. 1t
Is Il golden opportunity for the lead
crS of thought, Tor preachers, teach
crs and statesmen; and they will de-
serve well ofthcirpeople and Offuture
generations who embrace it and
preach most effectively the Gospel of
civic as well as personal virtue and
lead men TO the contemplation of
higher things There could be no
nobler ambition in the breast of Il
North Carolinian than that to do
something for North Carolina, and
there WaS never a time when more
might be done. If those who love
their State would but unite their
efforts now. when the public mind is
undiStracted and receptive. when safe
political conditions are established
and no danger threatens, there would
be inaugurated an era like unto that
i'll Rome OF which it was written:
Then none was for party
Then all were for the State:
Then the great man helped the poor,
And the poor man loved the great;
Then lands were fairly portlOned:
Then SpoilS We're fairly sold:
The Romans We're like brothers
In the brave DAYS of old