Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-10-19

Halelgn, n. y Oct. lJ.-yInere' were
thousands of people about the depot
when the president arrived this
morning, and cheers greeted the party
as It was driven through the streets
After the reception at the capitol the
procession moved to the fair grounds.
There were nearly forty thousand peo.
pie present when the president began
his speech. He said:
am glad here at the capital of
North Carolina to have chance to
greet SO many Of the sons and daugh.
ters Of your great state. North Caro-
lina's part In our history has ever been
high and honorable. 1t was In North
Carolina that the Mecklenburg Dec;ar-
alton of Independence fOreshadowed
the course taken in few short months
by the representatives of the thirteei.
colonies assembled in PHILADELPHIA
North Carolina can rightfully say that
she pointed the way which led to the
formation Of the new nation. In the
Revolution she did many memorable
deeds; and the battle OF Kings Noun
tain marked the turning point or the
Revolutionary war in the south. But
! congratulate you not only upon your
past. but upon your present. con-
gratulate. you upon the great indus
trial activity shown In your common.
wealth. an Industrial activity which,
to mention but one thing, has placed
this state second only to one other
in the number Of it's textile factories.
You are showing in practical fashion
your realization OF the truth that
there must be a foundation of mater
ial well-bsipg IN order that any com
nauhity MY yamake ssesi and fapld pro
gress. And I am happy to say that
you are In addition showing In practi-
cal fashion your understanding Of the
great truth that this material well be-
ing, though necessary as a foundation,
can only be the foundation, and that
upon 1t must ~ raised the superstrc-
ture OF . higher life, II the common
wealth is to stand as It should stand.
More and more you are giving care
and attention TO education; and edu-
cation means the promotion not only
OF industry. but of that good citizen
ship which rests upon individual
rights and upon the recognition by
each individual that he has duties as
well as rights-in other words. q that
good citizenship which rests upon NOR
al integrity and intellectual freedom.
The man must be decent In his home
life, bis private life, Of course; but
this Is not by itself enough The man
who fails to be honest and brave both
in his political franchise and In his
private business contributes to politi-
cal and social anarchy. Self-govern-
ment is not an easy thing. Only those
communities are Mt for It in which the
average Individual practices the, vir-
tue Of self.command, Of self.restraint,
Of wise disinterestedness combined
with wise self.interest; where the In
'iividual possesses common sense, hon.
esty anu courage.
And now I want to say a word to
you on special subject In which all
the country in concerned, but In which
North Carolina has a special concern.
The preservation Of the forests is VI
tai to the welfare Of every country.
China and the Mediterranean coun-
tries offer examples of the terrible ef-
feet of devastation upon the physical
geography, and therefore ultimately
upon the national well-heing. of the
nations. One Of the most obvious du-