The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1903-10-20
The Forward Movement in North Carolina.

IA NVASA 4OA4u
[ used to think impatiently over the dear old
State, because it wouldn't do what I, forsooth,
wanted it to do, as fast as I, forsooth thought it
ought to do it. That ~fretting was not wholly un-
worthy, but [ realize now that it was a mere waste
of nervous force incident to the tumults of emo
tional~ youth. The old State, immobile and un-
hasting, was making up it's mind. It has now
made up its mind. The State of North Carolina
has been born into the serene consciousness of
it's strength, it's responsibility, it's proper part in
the great democratic movement of modern So
ciety. L go nowhere, North or South, that I
do not hear, praise of North Carolina. If I go
to some community in the Southwest struggling
to adjust itself to democratic needs in education,
l am sure to hear some speaker say, "Look at
North Carolina. See the courage and resource
which she is displaying in this great problem"
Ny dear friends, you may be sure that it makes
good music to my ears to hear this, especially
since I know it to be Gods truth. It is the same
if the endeavor be to advance some community in
industrial efficiency. The great North Carolina
leaders are called by name and their achievements
recited. 1t is the same if, the question be some
question of racial ENHANCEMENT or human justice.
North Cardinals leadership is adverted to and
praised. | do not believe the State has butked so
largely in the public imagination in the two hun
dred and forty years of it's history. Let US have
sober PRIDE IN JnlS, ana 16J(uS give SOD6F praise
to those who have brought it about. The struggle
of this State after Statehood and self-consciOus-
ness, is one of the most interesting stories OF the
great Republic. It is right to honor the HoOpers
and Harveys and Caswells and JOhnsons and
Ashes who guided the footsteps of the young
State in it's dim beginnings. Honor is due to the
Grahams and Mangums and Badgers who gave
dignity and stability to it's growing youth. All
honor should go to the Vances and Pettlgrews
and Battles and Ransoms and Jarvises who bore
the burden of war and Reconstruction. Let us
not forget, however, to praise and honor the hight
ers of the present, nor to strengthen with sweet
approval the hands of those whose work has made
all this possible. You know who they are. 1t l
were to name them l should begin with Charles b.
Aycock, and use up all of my time in calling the
roll. They are men who are at work IN education,
in manufacturing, in railroads, and in press and
pulpit. They are men and women who look to the
future while not forgetting the past. They are
under no sort of bondage. Their passion IS for
constructiveness their method is education; their
faith is in the people; their purpose, as grim and
stern as any that ever moved their fathers, is TO
put this State where it belongs IN this national
life of ours, to heal it's sectional differences, TO
recall its sons scattered about the continent ana
bathe them in just pride of State and home, and,
finally. to place this State through training ana
self-sacrifce, in the front OF American NE aiu
American hope and American destiny. 1t is the
work of men and patriots. 1t will demand the
exercise of faith and patience and enthusiasm
and energy and love. God give them strength Tor
i Let MS mortals and brothers. to them, give help
and Iove-Dr. Edwin A. Alderman, at Reunion
of Native North Carollnlans, Gull1oro DaUUl0
Ground, October ID, 1903.