The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-03-08
HE GETS 500 DOLLARS
PoIIock's Eloquence' Wins
Appropriation.
The State Will Give FIVE Hundred Dollars 10
Removal and Repair Monument at
klns'on.

In urging the passage of the bill ap-
prepriatng $500 for the repair and reno
walton of the Caswell monument at Kin
ston, injured by fire. Senator Pollock
made an able and eloquent argument for
the bill in the Senate on Friday, which
won its passage Addressing the Senate
he said:
Mr.. President: l will not take up but
a little of the valuable time of the SEN
ate, as | know it is not necessary to go
into any of the details of the useful life
of Richard Caswell, as all are conversant
with the facts. He was the first Gov
crnor proper of North Carolina. You
remember he served in the House of
Representatives and was President of
the Senate Please allow me to recall
the fact that he gave his services to the
State without compensation. Mr.. Macon
declared that he had served with Wash
iLgton Jefferson and Adams and Ham
ilton, but that the most powerfully in
tellectual man he ever met and was as
ISOLATED with was Richard Caswell, of
Lcnoir county. re died in the ripeness
of his usefulness at his country home
near Kinston, and he is buried among
the people he loved and served-in
sunny peace and rugged war.
1.-The monument was unveiled on Au-
gust Sd, 1891, in the presence of thou
sands and it was hallowed by the
matchless Grafton of Governor Vance.
Mr.. President, from the erection of this
monument a spirit of State pride was
nroused-a wave went forth-widening
and deepening, that eliminated in the
bronze statue of Vance and browning
the Capitol grounds with the monument
concentrating the dauntless deeds OF
the soldiers of the Confederacy. This
Confederate monument is one of beauty
and stateliness, and / believe had
momentum given to its erection that
arose from the erection of the Caswen
monument in Lenoir county, around
which sacred and precious memories
cluster. l come before you today like
one that had heard stories from home OF
disaster and defeat when he had hope
fully expected news of cheer and graft
fcation.
There is not a Senator here, sir, but
what | have learned to feel warm
brotherly regard for, not one but of
whom | shall have the kindliest remem-
brance.
There is not Senator here but came
here with some bill-a heart desire, that
was and is almost as precious to him,
as the use the strength of his own right
arm. l came with song in my mouth,
love offering in my hand but now, sir,
one is hushed and the other withered.
When the appropriation for the preser-
walton of the Caswell monument came
in unfayorable / felt dazed and stunned
at the action of that honorable commit
tee.
81 beg you today as a North CAROLYN
ian to stand up for your noble dead.
How sacred is the sorrow for our sleep
ing hero; how hallowed in the halls of
our memory is the tabulated record of
the career of this remarkable citizen,
soldier and statesman. There is no
marking stone over his remains, over
this man whose life was spent in serv-
ing faithfully on every momentous oc-
casion the people of North Carolina
who struck among the first for liberty,
who spurred his horse into the front
ranks at the Moores Creek fight,
fnfusing such stubborn courage into
their unframed ranks as to call forth
plaudits from his friends, and won adj
miratIon from his enemies. Who, with
his uplifted right arm, helped greatly
to shatter the Kings supremacy in
America Can such hero belong only
to Lenoir?
Il can, sir. but believe in the kindness
of the committees heart they will will
insly award this modest request. This
is the first monument ever erected to
North Carol!rian by North Carolinians.
There was but one in North Carolina be-
ha Co al n r.
ginian by North Carolina Washington.
This is measure the people will up
hold and applaud. Have the fires of
patriotism burned down so low? Has the
memory of the heroic past become so OBJ
scured-has the appreciation for daring
deeds of valor, for human liberty be-
come so meagrc, that this honorable
assembly will refuse to accede to this
worthy and patriotic object? God for
bid! Casweils form and shadow was not
confined to the county of Lenoir, but,
sir, his footprints pressed the battle
fields from Eutaw Springs to fateful
Brandywine.
North Carolina has ever been great
when the drum beat called her martial
sons to the field OF combat But, sir,
some other general has too often com
mended and garlanded with victory
by the dauntless courage of the men of
North Carolina. We have all been so
short in public spirit We have too lit
tie State pride. l appeal to you to kind
" regard this petition, to allow this APP
preparation to perpetuate this object
lesson-this first monument-erected in
the honor of one fthe knightliest char
acters that has ever adorned the annals
OF North Carolina.
He was one of the choice and master
spirits of the age. and was ever faithful
to his God, to his country and to his
PEOPLE"
Should Never be Letto Lowest Bidder