The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1910-07-14
acteristics
Special to News and Observer.


Governor W. w. Kitchin at the Ma
tional Education Association here to-
day WAS quite a feature of the pro-
ceedings and was as follows:
| appreciate the compliment of be-
ing accorded a place on o-day's pro-
gram. Among the thousands of In
dependence celebrations throughout
the country, none will surpass in pa
triOtism, exceed in sanity, or
approach in the scope of it's constitu-
ency and the usefulness of it's repre-
sentation, this great gathering of
American educators.
A Tar Heel should never fool a
stranger in any place where the spirit
of nc prevails, or on any occasion
when liberty is the sentiment. ! al
most feel at home in famous Havard's
Stadium, in sight of Bunker Hill
monument, when [ recall that in the
Olden time when heroic conduct fixed
the propriety of forever commence
rating Independence Day, the Old
Bay State and the Old North State
performed no small part in laying
the foundations of liberty on which
our Republic is builded The story
! cannot be too oft repeated, for it
teaches courage, love of country, de-
votion to duty and conservation to
civil Justice which created and secured
our national greatness.
One hundred and thirty-four years
ago was issued the most momentous
document in profane history. 1t was
an Indictment of a king for the wrongs
of alien government, a resolution for
the most blessed principle known in
organized society self-government
"a plea for the lights of humanity,
fit for every age, every land and
every people. 1t proclaimed the sep,
aration by a daughter in her youth
from mother country in her AFRO
gance and power, perhaps the best
mother country of the centuries.
Some who were timid, some who
were interested, some who were hypo-
critics branded the Declaration as in
cendiary, but those who feared God,
loved their fellows, and had the faith
of patriots regarded it the most in
spring message since the Revela-
tions, and risked their lives to sustain
it. Fear put no doubtful language
in that instrument, deception no
falsehood, privilege no favoritism,
greed no injustice. A mighty mon
arch sought to destroy it. Trenton,
Kings Noun tain, Guilford and York
town established it forever, and thir.
teen States gloried in their sover-
eighty. A republic wascreated by the
Constitution. What would be he1
fate? The highway of history was
strewn with the wrecks of govern,
ments-monarchies, aristocracies, de
mocracies-whichh had flourished will
varying degrees of success and falleI
from various causes. In the history
of the race the philosophy of states
men and sages had heretofore con
structed no government capable o
resisting foreign aggression, and a
the same time protecting rights, Sc
curing safety and promoting domes
tic welfare to such an extent tina
political perpetuity was assured, ant
had devised no system suited t
every stage OF advancing civilization
Ponce de Leon searched amid tan
, gled wildernesses for the fountain O
y perpetual youth, and found it not
e Our republic in a generation OF I'm
e equaled statesmen, when the necessi
{ ties OF the time suggested the mas
e terry of statecraft, in her search TO
the fountain OF youth, sought ever.
principle, considered every form, an
! Gent and modern that had Eeen sue
cessful in the government OF free pee
pie. "She washed the gold of polit
cal wisdom from the sands whereve
it was found She cleft it from tn
rocks. She cleaned it among ruins.
Upon the rights of man and his com
munity, she builded a new structure
capable Of expansion, upon principle
Y reaching to the uttermOst corners C
the earth, destined by the inspiration
;, of her example to bless the worl
i with increasing beneftfor counties
generations. France slew her king
T. and is republic, Mexico, and ever
If state southwark to Cape Horn, be
e held our starry flag and became sell
l. governing. Ancient systems OF Eft
n rope under the steady pressure an
= stern demands of the masses hav
e been modified by American principles
,, and the time will come when th
dweller by the Caspian may celebrat
: with our children the birthday of til
D. American Republic. AS long as tn
n heart beats in sympathy with tn
/ purposes OF the great and the sor
r, thrills with the exploits of the brave
j as long as mankind venerates worth
lie deeds-so long shall the children {
America honor this day, and devot
= it to the encouragement OF nations
pride, and the cultivation of mutue
respect andgood will.
My native STATED is doubly patrioti'
for we celebrate two independent
h Days-this one and the Goth of Ma
Mecklenburg Declaration. "
of the South always had faith in ou