The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1910-06-16
F. B. Arendell In News and Observer.

1
| F B. Arendell In News and Observer.
Just little less than two years ago
a gentleman came out OF Franklin
county and journeyed to Charlotte
on a special mission. He. was com
paratively young and comparatively
unknown. He came quietly, unosten-
tatiously and there was but little
heralding OF his approach. Some ten
or twenty thousand Others iourneyed
also to the Queen City at the same
time. for there was a great game to
be pIayed-a regular Monte Carlo in
North Carolina politics = and this
gentleman, together with all the
Others, was to take part in that thrill
ing and exciting game,-and along
with it all, there was to be some side
games, some minor conflicts within
the great conflict. There was TO be
played a great game OF convention
oratory - nominating masterpieces
from pastmasters and other masters,
and they we're all there-medal wear
ers and laurel-decked champions OF
rare and ripe renOwn. The quiet and
almost unobserved Franklinian was
entered in this contest. the soul-stlr-
ring. spell binding, heart melting
masters OF eloquent and ornate con-
ventiOn OratOry, sat by him, and
when his hour came with intrepid but
slightly nervous tread he advanced
to the front of the stage hundreds,
yea thousands, said to themselves
or to others, "WhO is that?" and
those who knew him replied, otis
Tom Beckett" and when in a voice
clarion tOngued and distinct but
gentle and rhythmic, he said, "Mr.
Chairman and gentlemen of the con-
vention," immediate an expectant
silence settled upon the great throng.
He proceeded for a few moments, and
it was like pushing an electric button
and touching off a great battery OF
effective eloquence, brilliant logic, or
nate Oratory, stirring appeals, touch
ing humOr and beautiful diction. He
captured the vast crowd one and all
and held them spell-bound by voice,
language and gesture until he had
we'll nigh bankrupted that thrilling,
exciting, and wonderful game OF
effective and eloquent Oratory. When
he had finished he had spoken
himself into far-reaching prominence.
He had unknowingly and without the
slightest intention of doing so, spOk-
en- himself into one of the Hottest posi-
tiOns within the gift of the great con-
vention, and with no purpose to do
so and no idea of such a result, he
had so fortified the position as to
make it irresistible, and the speech of
Tom Beckett at that Charlotte con-
vention forms a brilliant page in our
current political history.
Yesterday he iourneyed again to
| Charlotte. The hero returned to the
| field of his conquest. He was here in
response to anurgent invitation from
Superintendent Alexander Graham
to deliver an address at the closing OF
Charlotte's great system OF high
schools and graded schools, and five
thousand people had assembled to
greet him and to hear him. He came
this time not as plain Tom Beckett
from Louisburg, but he came as
| North Cardinals distinguished Attor-
ney-General, not to sweep the deck OF
political oratOry, but tospeak to the
| children and to the parents about the
| children. He came to speak not OF
| the achievements of men and the
statesmen of the the past or present,
but to discuss the proper processes
for the building of the great men and
women OF the future. bespoke in the
same great auditorium, and he stood
almost on the exact spot. His aud
fence appeared as large in num-
bers but it was different in make up.
On the former occasion he was sur.
rounded on the rostrum by great ma
ture men, statesmen, officials, citizens
of advanced years and ripe experience
this time the rOstrum was decOra-
ted by a bevy of a hundred or more
beautiful girls and buoyant boys In
their teens. He spoke before ofgreat-
ness, distinction and lofty character
already attained. This time he was
| pointing the way to the achievement
| of greatness, distinction and renown.
The deafening and boisterous ap,
plause came before from the strong
and brawny hands of strong and
vigorous men. Last night it was
produced by the clapping of tiny, ten,
der hands and by the stamping otliit
tie feet, but these plaudits we're nc
less spontaneous and no less sincere
lie se!GGcted as his subject, "Educa
! t.01al Dividends" and in the manner
OF the master OF eloquence that he is
he showed that the dividends derived
from an intellectual citizenship were
transcendently greater and of more
far-reaching value to civilization anG
to the civic and religious uplft O
mankind than the dividends accru
ing from all other investments com
| bined.
An immense throng of people hearC
the distinguished and gifted Attor
ney-General and were charmed anC
enchanted by his magnificent ad
| dress.
ANOTHER RECORD SMASHED.
| =