Representatives of the direct lineage of three early North Carolina governors stood on te Craven court house green yesterday morning and saw their forebears honored with Richard Dobbs Speight Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, unveiled a boulder erected to the memory of Governor Abner Nash, Governor Richard Dobbs Speight and Governor Richard Dobbs Speight, the Younger.
This historic event was the outstanding feature of the first annual meeting of the Fifth District of D.A.R. societies which as guests of the local chapter, of which Mrs. Owen H. Guion is regent, as honored guest, convened for the day with their chairman, Mrs. C.N. Parks of Tarboro. Seldom has a North Carolina city had the distinct privilege that New Bern was accorded yesterday; and never will any city use it with greater honor.
Unveiled by Own Kin
Significant in the unveiling ceremony was the fact that the principal characters were of the direct lineage of the famous men to whom the memorial was erected. Mrs. Margaret Donnell Nelson, picturesque and admired little New Bern lady, descended from the Speights, and little Miss Arabella Cox, daughter of Col. Albert Cox of Raleigh, maternal descendant of Gov. Nash, lowered the flags and revealed the huge Mt. Airy boulder which on three sides bore bronze tablets bearing the inscriptions.
Two well prepared papers, one by Mr. Frank Nash of Raleigh, assistant attorney general of North Carolina, and also descended from Gov. Nash, giving account of the illustrious career of his ancestor, and one by Judge Henry A. Grady, a just tribute to the renowned Speights, were the features of the exercises which took place in the court room where every seat was taken. Mayor Edward Clark spoke for the city. Mrs. Guion presided here.
Dr. Hill’s Message
Rippling with keen humor and amusing ancedotes, the speech of Dr. D.H. Hill, representing the state historical society, brought greetings from the North Carolina body and congratulations for Richard Dobbs Speight Chapter, the city of New Bern, and Craven county on the erection of the significant memorial. No city in North Carolina has a richer background of historical data, he said by way of commendation.
From the state D.A.R. societies Mrs. Tillett brought a message of pride and congratulation. Briefly she explained the purpose of the organization: not to produce snobs and snobbery among daughters of the heroes of the revolution, but to commemorate the lives of these heroes and through this inspire those in whom their blood still flows to achieve, as they achieved.
Frank, but forgiving, Col. Bennehan Cameron of Raleigh scolded North Carolinians for their neglect in uncovering and preserving the rich history of the commonwealth, and his words found fertile soil in the minds of his audience. Mr. O.A. Kafer, chairman of the county board, accepted the memorial for the county.
During the exercises in the court room three patriotic songs were son with the direction of Prof. J.H. Bourdelais, “America,” “The Star Spangled Banner,” and “Carolina,” with a legion of school children singing lustily, interspersed the addresses. Rev. J.A. Vache made the invocation. After these exercises, the audience adjourned to the court house green, where the unveiling took place, and was followed by presentation of flowers to Mrs. Nelson and her youthful companion by Miss Catherine Hollister for the Daughters.
Business of the Day
Immediately after the unveiling, the D.A.R. delegates motored out to the country club where Mrs. Guilon called the business meeting to order. After the singing of “Ho! For Carolina,” prayer was offered by Mrs. Dan G. Bell of Morehead City. “The Flag Salute” and “The American’s Creed” were exemplified, and the session got underway.
Mrs. Guion in a well chosen speech bade the delegates welcome, and Mrs. Parks very graciously responded. The roll call of chapters, with Washington, Wilson, Tarboro, Rocky Mount, Halifax, Williamston and New Bern represented, was taken; and report of the Continental Congress read by Miss Sara Louise Stuart; and addresses heard from Mrs. Tillett and Mrs. W.O. Spencer of Winston-Salem.
Charming in every detail was the luncheon which was served in the spacious hall of the country club amid patriotic decorations and overlooking the cooling waters of the scenic Trent. Here Mrs. Guion directed the program again, introducing representatives of the local patriotic societies who brought greetings. Two delightful features were solos by Mrs. T. Bayard Whitehurst and Mrs. John Guion.
Commander Pugh Applauded
Rousing applause interspersed the inspiring talk by Commander W.N. Pugh, who expressed greetings of the Confederate Veterans. He told with pride of the prowess of North Carolina arms in the war between the states, and his explanation of the origin of those famous phrases: “First at Bethel; Farthest at Gettysburg; Last at Appomattox” inspiring and beautiful, was interrupted time and again by hearty applause. Commander Pugh pledged his veteran band to support the women in their movement to perpetuate the memory of North Carolina’s heroes, exemplified in the morning’s ceremony.
Mr. R.A. Nunn extended greetings form the New Bern historical society, of which he is president. Miss Mary Ward spoke in behalf of the Colonial Dames. A pretty sentiment from the Daughters of the Confederacy was spoken by Mrs. T.A. Uzzell, the president, and commander Roy Schupp spoke for the American Legion. Mrs. John Guion’s solo, “Perfect Day” was the fitting climax to the delightful luncheon.
The pilgrimage to “Clermont,” scent of the estate of the Speights, and to their tomb, and to the tomb of Governor Nash, an event that is expected to be a precedent for coming years, was the concluding feature of the day.
The pages who served throughout the D.A.R. meetings were Misses Lida Rodman Guion, Miss Laura Bryan Hyman, Miss Eleanor Grace Stewart, Miss Elizabeth Roberts, Miss Elizabeth Duffy, Miss Carrie Louise Ward, Miss Katherine Hollister, Miss Helen Hollister, and Miss Susanne Guion.
From the front page of the New Bernian, New Bern, N.C., Friday morning, June 8, 1923
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