The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-05-18

Ingratitude would stamp me as unfit
TO stand before this magnificent pres
ence if | did not, before proceeding
Ii step further, acknowledge with all
the sincerity Of the heart my thanks
for the kind words just spoken, and
with equal sincerity express my appre-
citation of the generous welcome with
which you have received me. Let me
at once assure you that, since | have
been so accustomed in Washington to
be in the minority, my political soli-
tude here is not in the least painful
(Laughter.) Nor does it cause me
alarm TO confront so Overwhelming
a majority of Republicans. daughter !
fortunately for myself on this occas-
ion, We Democrats Of late have become
used 10 that kind of majorities. Gre
newed laughter.) Since my entrance
into public life | have met so many
good Republicans that l have come 20
the conclusion that they are never
dangerous to d good Democrat, EXCEPT
In elections Qaughter), and never
harmful to the public, except in office.
much laughter and applause.)
PARDON me for cOngratulating myself
that | have at last found a Republi-
cAn majority in whom the spirit Of Il
Square DEAL still prevails and whose
rules grant even to the smallest minor
NY a chance to be heard. Laughter) |
shall presume, however, that the
right Of gag rule is one of the reserved
rights Of this body (reneWed laughterl'
and Shall proceed to present the view
OF the other side,' which | am hidden
to do, in the hope that my remarks
will not excite the propriety Of it's en-
forcement.
While | confess the feelings Of pride
in the privilege and the honor of greet
ing this splendid presence of Republi-
can manhood, the emotion that fills
my heart tonight is the happiness to
observe in every glance Of the eye and
IN every beat of the pulse a charming
something amide these strange faces
that bids me feel at home and speak
with freedom, though, | trust, with
truth. (Applause.) l am made to feel
as never before the touch aud beauty
of a perfect brotherhood between every
section of our common country. CAP
pIause.)
In the invitation rendered me was
asked to select as my theme either
"The South" or The Confederacy."
The fact, my friends, that the Lead
ing Republican club of the country.
men and he descendants of the men
who o the blue invites to it's BAN
quet hall a Southern Democdate and ex-
presses the willingness to hear the 9th
'er side that was but now is not presag-
es the dawn of a brighter and happier
day for our country. loud applause) It
gives fresh hope of the early coming
of a full and perfect understanding
between my people and yours, which
has 50 long been the hope and prayer
of every patriotic heart. (Applause.,
In responding, therefore, to the toast
1.-The South | shall not exclude the
alternative theme suggested.
The South's best romance, her proud
lest memories, her sublimest heroism,
her most cherished traditions, cluster
around the Confederacy. Her courage,
her constancy, her fortitude, manifest
ed in four years devotion to the cause
of the CO%nfederacy, are the richest
offerings which she brings to the altar
bf a reunited country. (Applause.)
These will ever constitute a proud
part of the nations wealth of virtue
and valor.
Who does not believe that the Amer
lean name is the richer and prOuder
in the splendid fact that the nation
holds within it's citizenship h men
and the descendants of the men ~in
the gray" who had a faith and offer
ed life, liberty, and property in the
~yindication of that faith. One willing
to do less is unworthy the proud name
of American citizenship. cloud ap-
plause.)
l understand, my friends, that our
President has not yet despised the day
he was born because he had in his
veins a little rebel" blood. (Laugh-
teri Perhaps he has wished a thous
and times of late for more Southern
rebels in the Senate to help him con-
quer he rebellious spirit in his W
party manifested there against his rate
bill. (Renewed laughter.) We of the
Sou+h observe with a national pride
that is not the "rebels South but
the loyalists North who are engaged
dn the present instruction at our
nations Capitol. (Renewed laughter.)
The country is waiting with nope
and anxiety to hear from the White
House, with Lincoln-like courage, the
demand of unconditional surrender:
As we banquet tonight in commem-
Grafton of Appcmattox on this forty
first anniversary, expected, as / am.
TO represent the view of the other side.
let me at once say that no people
in all history ever had stronger or
deeper convictions on any question
than did the South on the secession.
She felt with all her soul and con-
science that the right of a State, by
solemn and deliberate act of the peo- |
pie in convention assembled, to with
draw from the Union was 'inherenr,
essential, and inalienable" in YER
State. This conviction was as old as |
the Constitution and as deeply rooted
in her heart as the principles of the |
Declaration. This right was asserted