The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-10-13

outburst of enthusiasm that was sufficient
to cause to throb with pride this gallant
son of North Carolina, and his very utter
ances showed that he was deeply impress
ed and deeply moved.
i In fitting words he acknowledged the
welcome and then in language elegant and
eloquent he presented Governor Aycock.
He eulogized the Chief Executive of the
State in warm words, and presented him
as one fitting on this occasion to give
greeting to the sons of the State from
/ abroad who had gathered here to once
| again mingle with their brethren, once
| again to renew their devotion to the State,
once again to pay their mead of praise.
Another outburst of applause came as
| General Ransom concluded his remarks,
and these were renewed as Governor Ay-
4 cock came forward to say the first words
of welcome. 1t was magnificent address,
based upon lofty ideals and was worthy
the eloquent Governor, the State and the
sons who were welcomed.
GOVERNOR AYCOCK SPEAKS.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The committee in charge of this cele
bration have honored me with the high
duty of extending to you welcome tc
your old home If could but find fitting
words in which to set before you the
breadth and depth of the gladness which
stirs the heart of North Carolina today,
the duty would be transformed for me
into the highest pleasure. We are glad
| to have you with us once more You
come to us not as younger sons who have
wasted your portions in riotous living,
but as sons who left us with our blessing
| to seek the favors of fortune elsewhere
and having won your places in other
States, have come home at last to rnew
your acquaintance with old friends and
rejoice again amid the scenes of youth
youth. We shall, therefore, kill no fatted
calves for you, no robes will be brought
olt and no rings placed upon your
fingers. You are at home again to share
with us all the things which we have.
The North Carolina look is in your eye;
her speech is on your lips; her ideals live
in your hearts. We rejoice in your pres
ence; take delight in your prosperity;
praise you for the things which you have
done and hope the utmost of your future.
We wish you to feel that this is now again
your tate We would awaken the memo
the old time affection. And this State
of your nativity is worthy of your love
Her history is such as to justify your
pride in her Her achievements compare
with those of any other State and make
her sons, wherever they be, proud to be
known as North Carolinaians. You can
sing with US:
Carolina Carolina, Heavens blessings at
tend her.
While we live, we will cherish, protect
and defend her.
Though scorners may sneer at and wit
hngs defame her,
Our hearts swell with gladness whenever
we name her."
She was the first of the Colonies to be
settled, and although that settlement was
not successful, it is a source of gratifica-
ton that it was made under the patronage
of the soldier, navigator, scholar, states
man and martyr, Sir Walter Raleigh. On
her soil the first white child born of Eng
lish parentage came to bless the Western
World. Here liberty had its birth and
here it rejoices in its fullest beauty
North Carolina was settled by men who
found the liberty of other colonies and
States short of their desires. English,
Virginians, French, New Englanders,
Swiss, Germans, Huguenots, Scotch Irish,
of whatever nationality they might be,
they sought this land in order that they
might found a State which should be a
fit home for "the freest of the free"
'They were imbued with a passion for
liberty" says Bancroft, and in their
earliest days they secured for themselves
and transmitted to us both liberty of
conscience and of conduct" with abso-
lutte freedom of conscience benevolent rea
son was the simple rule of their conduct.
They were tender and open," gentle to
the weak. and fierce only against tyran
n.y. They were led to the choice of their
residence from the hatred of restraint and
lost themselves in the woods in search
of independence" "Are there any who
doubt mans capacity for self-govern
ment?' says Bancroft Let them study
the history of North Carolina. It's in
habitants were restless and turbulent in
their imperfect submission to govern
ment imposed on them from abroad. The
administration of the colony was firm,
humane, and tranquil, when they were
lett TO take care or themselves. ANY gov
eminent but one of their own institution
was oppressive Living far removed
from contact with the government which
sought to rule them, freed from the
Establishments of power disciplined inI
frugality and patient of TOLL it is no
wonder that our North Carolina ancestors
resisted to the utmost the tyranny of pro
vincial and colonial rule. They were in
constant warfare with their Governors and
repeatedly turned them out of the pro-
tain came, North Carolina was in the
front.
vince. when the struggle with Great Bri-
Let me briefly give you two short pages
of history. The first shall be devoted
to Massachusetts, and is taken from Ban
croft. con the 10Th day of December,
i7773, the men of Boston assembled in
the Gid South Church. They remained
in session until after dark The church
in which they met was dimly lighted. At
quarter before six, Rotch appeared and
satisfied the people by relating that the
Governor had refused him pass because