The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-02-21
PRESENTATION
SPEECH ABOUT
N. A. M RAE
TEACHERS OF JACKSON coUN-
TY GAVE HIM WALKING CANE
WHEN He WAS ELECTED
CLERK CIRCUIT coURT-cHoIR
CONCERT IN TALLAHASSEE.

One OF the close friends of the
new commissioner of agriculture here
at the capitol discovered among his
old papers the copy of an address he
made on the occasion of presenting
Mr.. McRae with a gold-headed walk
ing cane as q tribute from the teach
ers of jackson county some eight
years ago, when Mr.. McRae assumed
the duties of county superintendent
Of that county.
Thinking that this address might be
OF interest to some. especially the
teachers Of Jackson, It was furnished
The Journal correspondent today. The
speech is as follows:
Mr.. McRae: We are aware that
you are soon to give up the standard
you have borne so well as superin-
tendent of jackson county. You are
to I'LL another trust to which the peo-
pie of your county have called you,
as clerk OF the circuit court of jack
son county. It is but right that l
should say that there are ties be-
tween US as teachers and you as SUI
perintendent that are hard to sever.
It has been a long cherished custom
from fields OF duty, well performed,
that we not only give cheers Of trt-
umph, but often present them with
jeweled swords. We have no soldier
returning from new fields of victory
today. but rather q messenger Of
peace.
Teachers. the recipient of this gift
is one whom have known from my
early childhood. He Is not a enid
the lap Of luxury. but, on the other
hand, he has had to forge his way
without the aid of anyone. Unsus-
tanned by q mothers love- unguided
by fathers blessing and counsel, he
has led a path SO chased that even
a child could not stumble. His path
has been one of many thorns and
few flowers. Today. Mr.. McRae. while
you are about to leave the position
you have filled 80 well. It is my pleas
ure to pluck a flower from your path
which you have unknowingly grown
in our hearts and which has taken
form in memento that I shall now
leave in trust to your keeping. In
behalf Of the teachers OF jackson
you to accept this gold headed walk
ing cane as a token of their appre-
citation for the many kindnesses
which you have shown them during
your term OF office. I am glad that
It Is not a gift of one teacher. am
glad that it is not a gift of two, or
twenty. for It would not express the
ROS0 4OI WHICH WAS 1uLSuuSQ. Out
1t comes to you as a gift from every
teacher OF Jackson county. We hope
1t will be guide to you up the hill
Of life and we hope 1t will remind
you OF these friends when you will
have reached the goal of your ambi-
ton, and in your declining years,
when the vesper shadows close
around you, when your steps become
uncertain and slow, then, we hope. 1t
Will help to steady your tread and
remind you of us who have served I'M
der your guidance. Then We ask that
f. be handed to your posterity, telling
them of its history. The, material OF
which 1t is made. like the Memnons
of Egypt, may crumble into decay,
but that sentiment, sir, which prompt
ed the giving will live long after the
stars have gone out"
CHOIR CONCERT.
Last night the auditorium Of the
county high school was filled with a
large audience to hear the. choir con-
cert that had been looked forward to
with much interest. The choirs OF
the Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal and
Presbyterian churches were united
for the occasion, and a splendid or
chestra assisted with the program
Forty voices made up the chorus and
there were seven pieces in the or
chestra- The program was wen ar
ranged, splendid1y rendered. and re-
Elected great credit upon the mem
bers Of the choirs and their d.