The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-11-18

ment was of the finest quality and |
only words of praise have been heard
from visitors of the hospitality ac-
corded
We copy from the Wilmington
Star the speeches of Gov. Kitchin
and President Taft, as follows:
The President was most heartily
welcomed to Wilmington and North
Carolina by Governor w. W. Kitchin
i'll his usual earnest and eloquent
manner This was the second time
that Governor Kitchin has had the
pleasure Of welcoming President Taft
to North Carolina, the first occasion
being in Charlotte the Goth of last
May. The popular Governor arose
amidst the enthusiastic applause of
his fellow citizens and it was minutes
before he was able to proceed.
My fellow cOuntrymen, was Gov
ernor kitchin's greeting, Il have
read somewhere that Paul said to the
jailer, BE not afriad, for we are all
here. "' The significance Of the QUOTA
ton was Immediately erasped and
the crowd applaudpd. "Weexpectcd," ,"
all the people in New Hanover here,
but we are gratifipd to see every body
i'll North Carolina present.
'This is the second opportunity
have had to welcome to North Caro-
lima the Chief Magistrate of the Re-
public. The first time was in Char
Iotte the Goth of last May. 1t was a
most disagreeable day, and vet glad
ness departed not from the people, be-
cause they are strong and loyal Amer
leans, who reiOiced because the Presi
ident had honOred North Carolina
with visit. How much more do
these thousands, with no warning ele-
ments, but all nature smiling, rejoice
and give Il genuine American welcome
to Americas chief Nothing that |
could say could add Joy to the >occa-
sion. What the people have already
done cannot be magnified, and yet it
is fitting that | should extend in be-
half of the people of North Carolina
an official welcome that every critic
may know from the mountains to the
sea, all North Carolina welcomes
President Taft. You, Mr. President,
are about to complete a remarkable
journey-you have visited the great
est cities of the cOntinent-and at
last come into America S own Sunny
South. am glad that you have been
kindly dealt with and bring to US the
smile that won't come Off.
Governor Kitchin then referred to
the unity of the North and the South.
"We are proud of this Republic he
said, ''it is ours, we rejoice in it's pos
session and have confidence in its fu-
ture. 1t is true that little m ore than
a generation ago the South thought
it could get along without the North,
but the North knew it could not get
along without the South, and SO
there came that great struggle which
in the high court of might went
| against us. We thought that the sue
cessful litigants acted very badly for
a time, but that is all forgotten now
and we cherish it no more"
Governor Kitchin said that no
| where in all America could q welcome
to the President be more appropri-
| ately extended than in Wilmington.
The city shared in the glory of the
| Revolution, shared in the glory of the
development that followed. shared in
the Civil War and in the later years
| has shaken the chains and gone for
ward. While the South was asking no
favors but only justice and a fair
| chance, there was no one in the entire
country more determined that this
| fair chance should be given than
President Taft. There are no di-
visions in this fair land of Columbia
| today" Governor kitchin declared.
| and he was certain that President
| Tat stood ready and willing to give
to this section anything that he
would to city of Massachusetts, or
any other State
Il want to say to YOU. Mr.. Presi-
dent. in your long career | dare say
YOU have never faced better, truer
o. braveraudience than the one which
greetS YOU here today. And to this
audience | would say that there is no
more illustriOuS or able man who has
ever visited Wilmington than William
Howard Ia t" The Governor ex-
pressed the sentiments of the vast
thro ~ for he was wildly applauded.
"He is distinguished by service, dis
tinguished by nature. distinguished
by the highest position known-he is
worthy of that respect and affection
YOU show for him Caroliniars. all. |
introduce to you, His Excelency, the
President of the United States, our
common country
| President Taft was forced to bow
| his acknowledgements of Continued
cheering for some time before begin
ming his speech He said:
Governor kitchin. Ladies and
Gentlemen, Citizens of Wilmington
and North Carolina:
Il have visited North Carolina be-
fore. l have had the honor to be well
comed by your distinguished Cover
nor, your distinguished Senator, Sen
tor Overman, and the Congressman
who represent you at Washington,
and l feel at home with you.
= 'ln visiting North Carolina have