The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-08
NORTH cARoL1NAs STEADY ADVANCE
An Appreciative Estimate by an observant
Virginia Editor.

/ Rev. James P. Smith. editor of the
Central Presbyterian, of Richmond, Va
recently occupied tho pulpit of the First
presbyterian church in Raleigh. In the
last issue of his paper, he refers pleas
antly to his visit-(the pleasure and re-
ciprocal, for Raleigh fell in love with
hlm)-and prints an editorial article or
North Carolina which is reproduced
here. He wrote:
NORTH CAROLINA.
| 1t does not require long visit to this
State to find evidence of the remarkable
advance it is making along the lines of
the pest civilization. From the condf-
ton in which its people were found in the
reconstruction period, as described in
Mr.. Dixon's remarkable book, The Leo
Pards spots, 1t was a slow and painful
struggle into order and industry and the
most ordinary home comfort. But out
of that struggle the people have come
with self-respect and manliness, into a
commendable State patriotism and a
general and enlightened desire for many
of the best things.
All the Protestant churches have large
tolloWings throughout the State, and
seem to be working with great zeal to
reach the destitute sections. The edu-
cational work of the churches seems to
be we'll advanced, and thriving denomi-
national colleges and seminaries are well
established in all sections of the State.
The State educational work is receiv-
ing enlightened attention. The common
schools of the State have been much
improved, and a plan adopted by which
the way is opened for the beginnings of
popular libraries in every school district
in the State.
The State Literary Society is an eff
fective organization, which is working for
the awakening of popular interest in lit
erary production.
An exceedingly interesting paper ap-
pears in late number Of the Raleigh
News and Observer, by Pref. d. II. Hill,
of the State Agricultural and Mechani-
cal College, which reviews the literature
by North Carolina authors for the year
1902. 1t makes a remarkable exhibit of
the extensive work done for history and
biography. 1t includes lives of Nathan
iel Macon, Col. Edward Buncombe, Sen
ator Mangum, Governor William Tryon,
and General Joseph Graham. The State
Colonial Records have been re-edited and
republished. In the list are histories of
the Colonial period, of the Moravan set
tlement, the sectional struggle, the
Mecklenburg Declaration of cotton and
the cotton gin. There are school his
tories of North Carolina, and three books
of North Carolina stories for children,
some of which are used in the schools
Monuments have been erected to the
Revolutionary heroes of North Carolina,
and the battlefelds have been marked,
and are made the places of annual pa
triotic gatherings.
Temperance and the restriction of the
liquor traffic is a subject of wide inter
est, in which the great body of the peo-
pie are united, and the able News and
Observer is taking an earnest lead.
1t takes a long, hard struggle to
awaken the great body of the people in
any State to confidence in their power
to rule, to cast out the miserable PERI
sonal and factional politics, and engage
the powers of the State, with the support
Of all good people, in the high things of
moral and educational advancement.