The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-31
LOVE FOR THE GREAT MOTHER
ABIDES WITH ABSENT SONS
DR.. Kngsbury Writes of Carolinians in Other
States. Mayor Stedn1an's Great Adj
dress at Charlotte.


General Robert Edward Lee, the peer.
less knight of the Ages, without fear
without reproach, by that gifted alumnus
of the University of North Carolina
faithful, ever true citizen and distinguish
ed and most honorable lawyer, Major
Charles Manly Stedman, of Greensboro.
1t is very good reading for this decadent
day when honor is kept in allegiance, and
commercialism and greedy money grab
bers rule the country, and is full of fine
conceptions and noble sentiments every
way worthy of the true and manly man
who spoke them. 1t fitted the time, the
place, the State, and was distinctively
North Carolinian in tone and principles.
1t was full OF grand views and high ideals
of citizenship, and unbroken devotion
ITO duty, and in style was much above
the average productions of our day OF
much speech-making. Read the following
warning to his countrymen, and 1T is
we'll based, for the signs are Ominous and
ruin is ahead under the leadership of
enemies and marplots and corruptionists
and demagogues of the most despicable
type. The political, thimble-riggers and
Roosevelt, the marauder and political
gambler, have for their motto and plan
of observation-disclosures and illusion,
and relation, illusion, and occasion, and
evasion" In contrast read this admir-
able extract among many equally fine
and impressive that could be selected,
from the noble Stedman:
Tho day will come, though I trust 1t
may be far distant, when the intentions
and ideas of the founders OF this govern
ment will be disregarded by those who,
in the wild greed for money and amidst
the absolute luxury, engendered by the
vast accumulation of wealth, have for
gotten the teachings of purer and better
days; and the very existence of a constl-
tutional form of government, as framed
by our ancestors, will be in jeopardy
Then will be found amongst a people re-
generated by fire and blood, that high
and broad and lofty patriotism which
shall constitute them the strongest, safest
and best defenders of the land of our
fathers in its entirety. And as the sui
fering and oppressed of every land and
every cline shall still turn their stead
fast gaze towards the western hemis-
phere, they shall rise up and call you
blessed.
"Have you learned naught from the
silent endurance, the patient agony, the
deathless valor of the Confederate soldier?
His life and his conduct have taught us
the lesson over again which history has
ever repeated"
= have known Major Charles Ne. Sted'
man since September, 1876. I saw much
of him until he removed his residence to
another town some years ago. The i'm
preston he made upon me early in our
acquaintance, remains fiXed-that of an
honest and honorable gentleman, without
guile, without hypocrisy, brave, resolute,
self-contained, Trustworthy every way,
sincere, unalterable in principle, and
faithful to his pledges, to his own high
character and to his friends. He was
very gallant soldier in the great, disas-
trous war. heard more than thirty Years
ago, a captain in Penders grand old
Thirteenth Regiment, say once-'I do
not know personally who the Major Sted-
man l see mentioned in the newspapers
is, but if he is the Major Stedman !
saw in battle, I am sure I never saw a
Drawer man in the war" Major Sted-
man, like his race, is fearless. But he is
man in the high sense of that most sadly
abused word, of real ability, of exalted
character, of chvalrous nature, and can
be trusted always, whether in time of
war or time of peace, to do his duty,
whether at the bar, in civic life, or as
Governor Of great State. His life shows
that with him the keynote of character
is to
Live pure, speak true, right wrong
Else, wherefore born?'
He has that refined character which
when united with gentleness and sympa-
ty and WED with manhood, makes a
MAN"
l give here a few items as to North
Carolina authors that Will interest some
of my readers, I think:
Mr.. James II. Cathey, the young law
yer at Sylvia, n. c., who published few
years ago small book as to the parent
age of Abraham Lincoln, and which had
a good sale, some 1000 copies being dis
posed of, is encouraged to try anothe!
and enlarged edition. His new Genesis
of Lincoln will contain additional vita
evidence upon the North Carolina tradl
tion,'' as he writes me. 1t viii appear
early in February. l found the first edi-
ton entertaining, and I thought then he
had made out a strong case rs to Lin
coins father and his birthplace. / have
seen since some points given that APP
peared to make Lincolns accredited par
ents properly married. 1t is an interest
ing case with those who care enough OF
Lincoln as to inquire into the legitimacy
of his birth. l am no admirer of the
scoffer and sceptic. See the True Lin
coin published In Richmond, Va.
DR.. Stephen B. Weeks, now of San
Carlos, Arizona, native of our State
who has written more pamphlets ano
books concerning North Carolina and
North Carolinians, than any other ma
tive son since the war, is now preparing
a life of the late L. S. Senator w P.
Mangum, of Orange county. He would
be glad to receive any materials or
help that bear upon the life and career
of this very popular and distinguished
North Carolinian. Send either printed or
imprinted matter. He has been for ten
years in search of material, but it is
scant and of but little value.
| am gratified to learn that the Life
of Nathaniel Macon," by Prof. w. e.