The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1908-01-30
James Ryder Randall.
Poet and Journalist, Who Wrought
Well for the Development and
Prosperity Of the South Author
of "Maryland, My Maryland"
by Which He was Perhaps Best
Known.
.ugusta (Ga.) Chronicle, Jan 18th.

Today the press of the world an
nounces the death of the author OF
''My Maryland. and in common
with all who have been touched by
the words Of this thrilling war-song,
we pay tribute to its writer. But it
is not as the poet that we who have
long known him miss him most, nor
OF that genius of his that we wish to
speak here; but Of the simple, kindly
soul that has left earth for that
other world. for which he has so long
striven to fit himself. In his breast
dwelt the heart of u child, unsullied
by his passage through the world
Hi deeply religious soul kept him
clean and pure and sweet.
There is not man on tle ChrOni-
Gle today that does not treasure
pleasant memories Of this editor of a
past generation. He was here when
they began their service, and most
of them he has helped and aided in
every way to follow along the lines
in the profession he loved so well.
Even to the last he loved to write.
and the newspaper offices were the
favorite haunts of his leisure hours
He sought not display nor loved, as
might be expected from one of whom
much had been written. the blaZOnry
of his name in type. He took easily
the hOnOrs that came to him and
bore with a gentle patience worth,
of n saint of the Olden days the re-
buffs and slinrs and arrows OF for
tune. Though his life lay not along
| the rose-strewn path, he never com
planned. but accepted the lights and
| shadows as heaven-sent guides to th'
eternal home. To have known him
is ii tender memory. for he was of a
nature and disposition different from
all Others. He lived in the world
but not of it, and when he left it Their,
departed a benignity, simplicity OF
goodness as rare as it is unappre
ciated. 1t is truly said, Eve loved
him because we knew him" and sure
ly than this higher tribute to wortl
is paid to few
For some years Mr.. Randall was
editor of this paper, and the COnsti
tutiOnaHst-a Chronicle predecessor
and wrote in prose words that
gained added renOwn for the gifted
writer OF his famous poems, some Ot
which are even better than the most
famous one, though it is doubtless
by this he will longest be remem
bered. He was a fluent writer and Il
serious one. When working in hi
best vein his editorials and specia
articles were copied all over the land
though gradually he became unap
preciatpd. Yet he never rallied at
tate, but bore himself nobly and witt
the same gentleness that distinguish
ed him in times Oftriumph. Only re
Gently he was the feted and admired
lion of the State of Maryland, ano
readers of the Chronicle are familiar
with the tributes paid him in Balti
more and at Jamestown. 1twas the
crowning recognition of his fame
vet Il few days ago he returned tC
! Augusta, which he had come to lool
upon as home just the same unas
suming. unpretentiOus gentleman
who had gone to be the guest OF his
native state.
Mr.. Randall loved the South Will
an intensity unfathomed by thOs,
who had never seen him when he was
aroused. Kept by a weakly consti
tuition from serving the COnfederac,
as soldier, his martial ardor fount
expression in that deathless war
chant, maryland, My Maryland.
In it beats the proud restiveness O
the chained spirit; pulses the lout
nlarum OF the war drums, vibrate
the deathleSs spirit of patriotism; it i
incentive, a challenge, paean o
praise. a call to arms, virile, master
sy-Surh IL poem as only great crise
IAN call forth, such song as only
soul like Randall's can sing-a sou
rs gentle as girl child's, yet thrill
ing with the vigor OF a tempestuou
manhood. That poem is Randall; i
nrtathes the real man in every vers
and it shall carry to posterity tn
spirit of the man who died here YES
terday. Maryland cannot forget it
the South cannot, and ultimatei
the United States cannot, for it is
rhymed glOrification OF patriotism
james Randall is dead, but in hi
song his spirit lives, and leaps an
sings, and inspires and will continu
TO until long after oblivion has swep
upon the memory OF the names of u
who sorrow at his going away. Blu
better than all this must be to hir
, the knowledge that it was not i
vain that he subdued his strong spil
it and made himself the Randall W
have known in recent years, for h
sleeps as one who has fought tn
good fight. who has kept his faith
II gentle soul.