The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-10-13
Thrice Welcome to the
Old Home.
Continued from Second Page.)

key stone of the arch so far as systems
of transportation between North Carolina
and Virginia are concerned.
Mr.. President, it was once said by
gifted son of Maryland that one of the
outstanding characteristics of the North
Caroinian is that he loves his State and
believes she is the best State that ever
was. That is true. Your genuine Tar
Heel never has any other opinion. And l
have this to say for the North Carolinians
in Richmond that there is not one of them
who has ever harbored a disloyal or un-
filial thought about the old State from
which they came, not one of them who
has ever tried to pillory the old mother
who bore them and nourished them and
to hold her up to public criticism, not
one of them who has spoken with scorn
an bitterness of the shortcomings of the
good old commonwealth, one one of them
who has failed to sympathize with the
enormous difficulties and Disadvantages
with which she had to contend, not one of
them who has ever felt for a moment any
loss of love for her on account OF change
in his place of residence.
At the same time sir, we recognize the
needs of our dear old State, and we are in
full sympathy with the industrial, edu-
cational and literary awakening which is
the great Characteristic of our time in
North Carolina. AS to the new era III
our industries, l have no manner of doubt
that we are on the threshold of a period
of the greatest prosperity ever known in
cur history and that our State is destined
to be one of the richest in the union, ont
only in the sense of possessing abundant
wealth, but in the far more important
sense of having that wealth well difused
among the people instead of being con
gested into one or two plethoric channels.
AS to the educational awakening, it is one
of the greatest pleasures of this unique
occasion to the Homecoming Carolnians
to meet here again today the men who
have been your leaders in the great move
ment and who have done so much to roll
away the reproach of our illiteracy.
Mr.. President, we feel today like the
little boy to whom the minister said:
well, Johnnie, I hear you are going to
school now Yes, sir was the reply
land what part of it do you like best?''
asked the good man. Comm home" was
the prompt and truthful answer That's
the way we feel, sir. The best thing
about going away from North Carolina is
coming back again
Governor Aycock, you have welcomed
us today in words that will warm our
hearts as long as we live. Let me say
to you in reply that if the North Carolin-
ians who do live in North Carol ma are
as glad to see the North Carolinians who
live IN, t1,a NIL
Carolinians who don't live il orth Caro-
lima are to see the North Carolinians who
do live in North Carolina, then, sir, this
should be the happiest occasion in the
history of the State. ct is positive
pleasure to roll the good old name from
ones tongue over and over.
My countrymen, in conclusion of these
remarks upon the relations existing be-
tween North Carolinians and Virg. mans
l give you the sentiment on the held of
Appomattox in the hour Of his anguish
by that lilustrious Virginian who had
watched for years with ever increasing
admiration the steadfast courage and I'M
surpassed discipline of the troops from
North Carolina. AS he waited heart
broken for a courier carrying some message
concerning the surrender which all now
knew to be inevitable, his military ear
caught the firm and steady tramp of a
brigade marching into action in as good
order and with as dauntlcss courage as
though they were on the eve of a sweeping
victory instead of the inevitable defeat
which every man foresaw. General Lee
lifted his head and asked sharply, What
brigade is that?' "Cox's North Carolina. =
replied an officer. The great Virginian's
eyes filled with tears, and as the men