State

June 16, 1934 “T 1 г MB Old North State For¬ ever,” a song that will live ns long ns the Old North State itself, will ever bo cherished by those who like to sing the song beginning: “Carolina! Carolina! Heaven’s bless¬ ings attend her.” Few of the younger generation know anything about William Gaston, who should be remembered not only as the author of our state song but who should also be held up as a model of talent and virtue. William Gaston began life in a sad way, as his father. Dr. Alexander Gas¬ ton, a native of Ireland and a man of letters, was killed when William was only three years of age. Dr. Gaston came to this country and settled in New Hern several years before the Revolu¬ tion. As New Bern was the scene of many British atrocities and bloody murders, feeling naturally ran high be¬ tween the Whigs and Tories. The death of Dr. Gaston is an example of one of the worst horrors of the strife. When the Tories gathered to attack New Bern, in August. 1791, Dr. Gaston tied, with his wife and two children, knowing that he would lose his life if he fell into their hands. As he stepped into the boat to go down the river in search of a place of safety, the Tories came up. One of them raised his rille and,* leveling it over Mrs. Gaston’s shoulder, shot her husband. Thus, Wil¬ liam was fatherless at the age of three, but he grew up to be ns brilliant a man of letters as his father had been. With the exception of Dr. Mitchell, William Gas¬ ton was probably one of the most learned men who ever lived in the state, having filled many positions of trust. One of the fondest moments of his life was when he gradu¬ ated with first honors from Princeton. Even as a child, he was un¬ usually quick and bril¬ liant. always standing at the head of his class. When he was seven years of age. one of his classmates said to him, “William, why is it that you are always at the head of your class and I am always at the foot ?” to which he re¬ plied, “There is a rea¬ son, and if I tell you, you must keep it a i-ecret and do as I do. Whenever 1 take up a THE STATE WILLIAM GASTON One of North Carolina’s Greatest Citizens by MABEL IVEY SEAY book to study, I first pray a little prayer my mother taught me, that 1 may be able to learn my lesson." To this lesson: “If anyone lack wis¬ dom, let him ask of God,” William at¬ tributed not only his success in school, but all the later successes in life. After graduating from Princeton, he studied law and arose to the head of his profession. After holding many promi¬ nent positions, bis success was climaxed by his being elected a judge of the Su¬ preme Court of North Carolina, making THE OLD NORTH STATE FOREVER! Carolina! Carolina! Heoven's blessings attend her! While we live we will cherish, protect and defend her; Though the scorner may sneer ot and witlings defame her, Our hearts swell with gladness whenever we name her. Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah! the Old North State forever! Hurrah! the good Old North State! Though she envies not others their merited glory, Say, whose name stonds the foremost in Liberty's story? Though too true to herself e'er to crouch to oppression Who can yield to just rule more loyal submission? Plain and artless her sons, but whose doors open faster At the knock of the stranger or the talc of disaster? How like to the rudeness of their dear native mountains, With rich ore in their bosoms and life in their fountains! And her daughters, the queen of the forest resembling, So graceful, so constant, yet to gentlest breath trembling, And true lightwood at heart; let the match be applied them, How they kindle and flame! Oh, none know but who've tried them. Then let all who love us, love the land that we live in (As happy a region as on this side of Heaven), Where Plenty and Freedom, Love and Peace, smile before us, Raise aloud, raise together, the heart-thrilling chorus! — William Gaston. Page Twenty-one a most capable and conscientious judge, •ludgo Buftin, chief justice of the Su¬ preme Court at the time, described him with a most fiiltiug phrase, “lie was a good judge and a good man,” a simple but expressivo tribute. Judge Gaston died ns he bad lived. One morning he suffered from faintness while performing his duties as judge in the courthouse at Raleigh and was car¬ ried to his room. That evening a few friends gathered around him. He seemed unusually cheerful and the con¬ versation touched many themes. The question of whether or not there is a God was brought up. Raising himself in bed so as to speak with greater force, he said, “We must believe and feel that there is a God. all-wise and almighty.” He fell back dead as the last word was uttered. Though the man has died, his song and his memory will live forever. Tt is said that Judge Gaston wrote the song. “The Old North State For¬ ever." because of some sneering remark made by an outsider relative to North Carolina, her people and her resources. It met with an enthusiastic reception in nil sections of North Carolina, and it wasn’t long before adults and chil¬ dren were singing it on all suitable and appropriate occasions. The melody has oft been declared by noted musicians to be one of the most ever has been written. Carolinian should be proud of it : and also of the words. Despite this fact, however there are comparative¬ ly few citizens who know the words of one or more verses. One of the things that the schools of the state should do by all means is to make every pupil learn the words and the music. T1 nothing inspiring that Every North iere is more inspir¬ ing than to hear u group of North Caro¬ linians sing their state song and sing it cor¬ rectly : “Though the scorner may sneer at and witlings defame her, Our hearts swell with gladness whenever we name her — The Old North State forever I”