The coastland times with which is combined the pilot and herald of Belhaven and Swan Quarter. [volume] (Manteo, N.C.) 1959-1973, 1960-03-11
RICHEST COUNTY IN
NORTH CAROLINA

For long time l have felt the
sincere conviction that Dare Coun
ty should consider itself the rich
est county in North Carolina. l do
not consider wealth consists en-
tirely of money. Riches come
largely from a contented mind,
from the capacity to be grateful
for anything that is good. They
come mostly from the satisfaction"
growing out of having given lib
orally, unselfishly, and in a spirit
of dedication, of time, or money or
of effort in behalf of those things
which are for the good of all.
The love of country and county
and community inspired ir child
hood by the teaching of parents
who were guided by conscience may
remain dormant for many years
in any person. These attributes
may be suddenly awakened into
life and action by some violent oc-
curence, or they may be more slow
ly energized through mounting con-
viction during a longer period of
time. Experience after experience
through the processes of living can,
at last add up TO the staggering
realization that one has not really
done all he could to have done-has
not done all he should have done,
in behalf Of his people.
1t is often rather late to make
amends, but any effort is worth
while and one may feel the better
for having made the effort. There
is an unreasonable satisfaction in
viewing the results of job we'll
done, of the joy it may bring to
others, in knowing THAT all ones
neighbors and ones children may
have a better life thereby.
Life and the world is full of
mysteries. 1t were a waste of time
to spend it in speculation how the
world was built. or the asking who
made the worlds builder. 1t is
stupid to contend with little minds
over what one must believe in
order TO reach some indefinite goal
affair off into infimity, which ap-
peals to the mortal intellect.
If we can be convicted in a spirit
of re-dedication to the remainder
of life spent in service to the
people, we will win the richest
of rewards within us. And as ever
we will receive material rewards
in proportion to the extent of re-
lease from inlpoverishment we
achieve for our people.
What 1 feel for Dare County, my
home county, reaches out of course
to all this coastland roundabout. !
This zeal is my religion. 1t is born
out of a sense of humility and
gratitude for all that the people
of the Coastland has done for ME.
In every sense l must be grateful;
not alone within my heart which
means nothing 10 others unless
tangibly expressed. 1t may not be
expressed merely in words, but in
deeds; not in devotion alone. 1t
must be manifested by toll and
sweat; it must be evidenced by
work and achievement.
Here, 1 have been privileged to
live and to be blessed with a good
home, faithful companion, to rear
a family in which l find pride and
comfort, as the limited journey on
the downward slope of life now
shapes before me. Here, at this
point, / feel as perhaps most others
feel, that out of the experience
and the knowledge gained, we
must do something for our people
at least we might say as a token
of past due interest on
a tremendous debt to good fortune
we can never fully discharge.
l won't attempt to speak for
the whole area of our Coastland,
but l do sincerely feel it is the
richest area of our country, and
our county of Dare the richest part