The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-11-08
ARE FOLKS PERMITTED TO THINK IN NORTH
CAROLINA.

North Carolina the rare and quaint quail
ties OF its humor, giving out the odor OF
the woods and of quiet life. / see Its
sense of justice, its patient tolerance, It's
grim steadfastness, its conservative pro
gressiveness, and it's tender constrainins
power to make Of man once North
Carolnian a North Carolnian forever!
81 used to think over the dead old State,
because il wouldn't do what l. forsooth
wanted it to do, as fast as !, forsooth,
thought it ought to do it. That fretting
was not wholly unworthy. but / realized
now that it was a mere waste OF nervous
force incident TO the tumults of emotional
youth. The old State, immobile and I'M
hasting, was making up its mind, 1t has
now made up its mind. The State Of
North Carolina has been born into the
serene consciousness OF its strength, its
responsibility, its proper part in the
great democratic movement of modern
society. l go nowhere North or South,
that do not hear praise of North Caro-
lima. If l go TO some community in
the Southwest struggling to adjust it
self to democratic needs in education,
am sure to hear some speaker say Look
at North Carolina" See the courage and
resource which she is displaying in this
great problem" My dear friends, You
may be sure that it makes good music
to my ears to hear this, especially since
know it to be Gods truth. 1t 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
Sc
adverted to and praised 1 do not be-
heve the State has bulked so largely in
the public imagination in the two
hundred and forty years of its history.
Let US have sober pride in this, and
let US give sober praise to those who
have brought it about The struggle of
this State after Statehood and self-con-
sciousness. is one OF the most interesting
stories of the great republic. 1t is ~;~ht
to honor the Hoopers and Harveys and
Caswells and Johnstons and Ashes who
guided the footsteps Of the young State
III its dim beginnings. Honor is due TO
the Grahams and Mangums and Badgers
who gave dignity and stability to its
growing youth. All honor should go to
the VanCes and Pettigrews and Battles
and Ransoms and Jarvises who bore the
burden OF war and reconstruction. Let
us not forget. however. to praise and
honor the fighters 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. If
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 manu-
featuring, 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 construc-
tiveness, 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 its sectional differences, to recall its
sons scattered about the continent and
battle them in just pride of State and
/ home, and, finally, to place this State
through training and self-sacrifice in the
front of American life and American hope
and American destiny. 1t is the work Of
men and patriots. 1t will demand the
exercise of faith and patience and en-
thusiasm and energy and love. God give
them strength for it. Let US mortals
and brothers to them, give help and love-"