The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1910-05-12
May 10th Memorable Day in His
tory of Henderson and
Vance County.

UeIUOTdDlc Iii IhOlO hoyo Cioh ChO
ordinary observance of this hallow-
ed day by speech making, pageantry
of soldiers and civilians and decora-
ting the graves of the dead.
The opening exercises were held in
the court house beginning at 1880.
An interesting program had been ar
ranged and the auditorium was
beautifully and appropriately dec
GRATED for the occasion. The celebra-
ton was under the auspices OF the
Daughters of the Confederacy and
the ladies had planned and executed
we'll.
Forming in front of Mr.. A. c. Zolli-
Golfers residence the procession
moved to the court house, headed by
eight little boys and girls, David
Jackson Cooper, Jack Young, Jr.,
John Hilliard Zollicoffer, Thornton
Gholson, Dora Woodwork, Lillian
Gholson, Elizabeth Cooper and
Martha Everett. The Veterans came
next followed by the Daughters OF
the Confederacy and citizens.
Mayor Henry T. Powell was master
of ceremonies and his sallies of wit
and good humor in extending a well
come and making announcements
were happy and timely. Music by
the Harriet Band was the first num-
Der on the program and the invoca-
ton was by Rev. l. W. Hughes. The
musical numbers we're q song by Mr..
Asa Parham, song by Mrs. D. Y.
Cooper, Jr., song by Mr.. Lynn Tucker
of Richmond, Va. Each selection was
beautifully rendered and greatly en-
iOyed. A pretty feature was the
recitation in chorus by the children
above named o. the poem entitled
"The Uniform of Gray" by Jackson
Harvelle Ray. They carried miniature
flags one-half the Stars and Stripes,
the other half the Stars and Bars,
and dressed in pure white their faces
beaming with interest and enthusi-
asm they made a pretty setting to
the picture formed by the grizzled
Veterans and others. Elizabeth Coop
er lead the march-and her mother
could not have done it better.
The musical part Of the program
concluded it was decided to adjourn
to the open air and have the speak
ing from the porch ofMr. Zollicoffer's
residence. There were several hun
dred persons who could not get in
the court house and they were es-
pecially DESTROYS of hearing Senator
Overman's address. This announce
ment was greeted with applause and
the space opposite the residence and
at the side on the court house square
was soon filled with an eager aud in
terested crowd numbering twelve or
fifteen hundred of the representative
citizens of Warren, Franklin, Gran
vile and Vance counties, men and
women, Confederate Veterans and
those OF the younger generation.
The Veterans were given a position
of honor Immediately opposite the
speaker and the MasOns were seated
just back Of them.
In we'll chosen words and pleasing
manner characteristic of him on all
occasions Hon. A. C. Zollicoffer intro
duced Senator Overman paying high
and deserved tribute to the distin-
guished gentleman whom the people
OF Henderson and Vance county de-
light to honor. AS we are printing
Mr.. Zollicoffer's speech in this connec-
ton we withhold further comment
preferring to let that speak for itself,
in more eloquent language than we
can command.
When Senator Overman rose to
speak he was greeted with enthusiasts
tic applause. 1t was some little time
before he could proceed, so cordial
was the demonstration of welcome
that he received. Senator Overman
began by thanking Mr.. Zollicoffer COR
his kind and complimentary refer
ences concerning himself and the cor
dial reception that had been given
him by the people OF this highly favor
ed section OF North Carolina. He ex-
pressed the very great pleasure that it
afforded him to be among the good
citizens of Henderson and Vance coun-
ty, and the honor that he felt in be-
ing privileged toparticipate in the ex-
ercises of the day-honoring the mem
DRY of the Confederate dead, laying
the cornerstone of a beautiful monu-
ment to departed heroes, extoling the
deeds Of valor, and imperishable fame
OF the Southern soldiers. Nor did he
forget the living or fail to pay tribute
to the respondent virtues and hero
ism, the patient struggles and loving
n ~ IS L.
Senator Overman spoke of the mag
nificent monument that stands at
West entrance OF the capitol grounds
in Raleigh, erected to the Confederate
soldiers OF North Carolina. He said
he would never be satisfied until
there is another one, q little bit high
er, and grander, and more beautiful,
at the East entrance to those
grounds greeting the sunrise, erected
to the Confederate women of North
Carolina. And the State that gave
so many OF her sons to the Confeder-
acy and whose fair daughters did so
much for the cause, owes it to herself
to build such a monument, declared
the speaker.
SENATOR OVermanS speech was a
mastery effort-one OF the finest
Memorial Day addresses we have
ever heard or read.
Beautiful in thought, and fine in
sentiment, expressed in language
eloquent and ornate, and delivered
with a readiness of speech and fervid-
ness of manner that bespeaks the
finished orator, it met every expecta.
ton and reflected honor upon the
distinguished speaker and the occa-
sion which inspired it.
Our regret is that we cannot print
Senator Overman's speech in full. 1t
was greatly enjoyed by those who
heard him and all felt themselves
debtor to him.
After the speaking the ceremony OF
laying the cornerstone of the Con.
$o6 - l.