The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1902-07-10
NATHANIEL MACON.
SUBJECT OF Mr.. PITTMAN'S ADDRESS AT
GUILfORD BATTLE GROUND CEtE
BRATI0E.
The Fourth of July Notable Occasion
at This Historic Spot-A Valuable
Contribution 10 North Carolina His
tory-Effort Highly Praised by al!
Who Heard it-SOme Press Notices.

Contribution 10 [SOTtn SdfOitHd iiIS-
tory-Effort Highly Praised by al!
Who Heard it-Some Press Notices.
bration on July 4th was notable oc-
casion. There was large attendance
and an interesting program was we'll
carried out. The principal address
was delivered by our distinguished
townsman Mr.. Thomas NJ. Pittnian.
He spoke by request of the Battle
Ground management on the life,
character and public services Of Ma
thaniel Macon, and his paper was a
valuable contribution to North Caro-
lima history The selection Of II
speaker could not have been better
on the choice OF !. subject more APP
propriate. Mr.. Pittman is peculiarly
fitted for the task assigned as his
paper clearly demonstrates. Com
prehensiyo and concise it showed ia
miliarity with the subject and threw
new light on the character Of the
great man it had to deal with.
We shall do our readers the favor
to lay Mr.. Fittman's address before
the following press notices are given:
The Greensboro Telegram, in addi-
ton to Yer, full and excellent re-
port OF the address. says editoria!ly:
''Major Morchead, to whom the work
of preparing the program for ycstcr-
days Fourth Of july celebration at
Guilford Battle Grounds vas en-
trusted. has every reason to congrat-
ulate himself on the success Of his
! Mr.. Pittman for the principal orator
Of the day. 1t was Il privilege to
hear Mr.. Pittman's address on Ma
| thunieI Macon. 1t was short and
| comprehensive and it left decided
| impressions upon the hearers. MIR.
| Pittman is known to be fond of Revo-
lutionary history and he showed in
| his effort of yesterday hat he has a
| pronounced aptitude in his favorite
period of history"
| Greensboro Record.
| The GRAFTON showed cars-
full preparation and painstaking re-
search, and amply sustains the au-
thor's reputation as public speaker.
| Biblical Recorder.
rhe feature Of the celebration last
wcrk ct Guilford Battle Ground was
a most appropriate address by Hon.
r. NJ. pittman, of Henderson. on Ma
thancl Macon-a subject on which
Mr.. Pittman is a specialist. His all
dress is a distinct contribution TO
North Carolina literature.
Greensboro Correspondence Raleigh Post
the Attendance at the bat
tie ground was immense. and the
speaking fine. Mr.. Pittman's being Il
splendid portraiture Of the great
Macon and historical summary Of
the events connected with the great
events through which he was so long
t he chief factor in State and National
affairs:
News and Observer.
It was fitting that at the
Fourth Of july celebration at Chill
ford Battle Ground the career of Ma
thanieI Macon, a Revolutionary sol
dier. should be presented. These oc-
casicns have furnished many nota-
bic contributions to North CrrOlina
history. The Grafton on Macon by
Hon. Thomas NJ. Pittman. of Hender-
son. deserves to rank with the best
Of them. Mr.. Pittman has treated
thc career of Mr.. Macon from the
standpoint Of Mr.. MacOn's political
creed, and given to the youth Of the
State "A correct portrayal Of 1.-The no.
blest Roman of them all'-to quote
what Jefferson said Of Mr.. Macon.
Greensboro Correspond ence Charlotte %
! server.
MIR. f. NJ Pittman fol-
lowed with a scholarly address upon
the life and character of Nathaniel
Macon. showing the great influence
Macon welded in the formative pc
/ Rod Of American politics. standing
stoutly for States rights and strict
Interpretation of the Federal Consti-
tuition The addresses made
in presentation and acceptance
speeches were ali tasteful and appro-
pirate. while the Grafton of Mr.. Pitt
man on Nathaniel Macon was tiue
; contribution to the history of the pc
Rod covered by his illustrious career
Raleigh Evening Times.
Mr.. T. NJ. Pittman, Of Henderson,
delivered a notable Grafton of reaI
value to the State at the Guilford Bat
tie Ground yesterday on Nathaniel
Macon. His address will no doubt be
carefully preserved and read bv the
children Of North Carolina in ths
years to come.
! Macon believed sincerely in the
people and was strict construction
list of the Constitution. His idea
would not be accepted in our time
but we must remember that condi
tionS we're different then. Macon
thought that any increase of the pow
ers of the Government was an en-
crOachmant upon the rights of The
people. Today the pablo clamor i.
always for an extension of govern
mental powers TO protect the rights
of the people aud save them from
: abuses Of great corporations and fan
= cied or real evils. Macon believe,
: in as little government as poSsibl,
= aud. unlike Murphy. opposed al
:. ocntHits Oh Internal improvements
y which. if they had been sooner, Nigh
have made North Carolina a ia
wealthier State.
But in his attitude for strict con
struction OF the Constitution at tina
time Macon did the Nation Urea
/ service, for m astule opposition rem
e ders the progressive element in gov
Z, eminent more careful. The only Sc
D riouS criticism we have ever seen 0
# Macon was that he voted for war wit
i England, then voted against supple
/, to maintain that war. This point i
y not referred TO in Mr., Pittman's fin
J. address.
e But after all Nathaniel Macon de
e serves high place among Mort
IS Cardinals foremost statesmen. IL