Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-08-06
MR.. WEBSTER

him an invitation 10 attend a public Dinner,
which hs was compelled to decline, owing to
sAs shorrmcss ef his stay. but consented TO neoi
the officers, Students and citizens, in the eve
ming At College Hall At this interview Mr..
Webster took occasion 10 address those gentle
men,,n tho following eloquent and beautiful
manner:
.u,. Pyesid.m and Gestirmes Of III, Faculty
Ci,cun,sta noes do moi allow me the ples sure
OF accepting tho invit ion, m which ysu have
kindly joined, to pass day with sou and those
undsr ycur care, ard 10 TReot you at aInnef IN
your half. Per,sit r's- peser'heless, to ac-
k~A~Lsdse ns,st gratefully this manifestation
of ysun regard: TO assure you, Mr. President
and Gentlemen, Of tho high and sincere Tss-
poet which I entertain for your body-and 10
sxprsss my warm AID const ant attachment TO
the Institution over which you preside.
if il be according tn the course Of human
sentiments and feelings, that We should cvor
cherish a deep sense Of afiectiona'e gratitude
towards the maternal parents who nourIshed
our infancy, guided our footsteps in childhood
and committed us, at our entering upon the
world, with the most fervent prayers and ben.
ediciisas, - tho protection Of Providence, 1t
h not less nstural that we should entertain
similar feelings towards those, whose assIdu-
ems labour and solici,ous caro- have boon be-
s'owsi upon tho moa,entoss concern of our
eariy instructiou. Recolle ctions, TOO, conncc-
ted with tho scenes and the days Of our edit
cation, with the opening OF the mind the
strengthening and expanding of the youthful
intellect, the formation OF those sincere and
di.inferesiod friendships, at once so natural
and ~ grateful TO young bosoms, are all Of
naturc To awaken kind emotions and to pro-
d,re happiness happiness, indeed neces-
s.ri!y somewhat dinmed and cloudsd by ob-
serving tho threads which time and mortality
hevs made On the aumSsrs Of our former asso-
eis'~.
am most happv, Mr. President and Gem
s,,>non, thus publicly TO acknowledge my own
deep obhesiion 10 the College under your
caro-. ieel that l owe it debt, which may
bo ackno N!sdgsd indeed, but net repaid. And
,s,rnt me also 10 expr0ss my conviction ot the
hieh stility. to individuals and to society, Of
the vocation which you pursue u there be
any thing important in life, it 10 tho business
of instructies, in R.Iigion. ia Morals aad in
Knowledge. Ite who labors upon objects
wholly material works upon that, which,
however improved, must ono day perish Not
micn is the character, nor such the destiny oil
that care, which is bestowed on tho cultva-
ton Of the mind aud the heart. Here the sub
ieci upon which attention Is to be bestowed,
J., immortal, and any benefit conferred uron i,
equally immortal. Whoever puriiies one hu
: s.... C. Of loo y~k.evor sxcitss ono emotion
efsinrers psssy whoever gives new and
right direction to single hap,an thought, or
cnrecis a single crror Of the Sndersta ndng.
viii already hare wrought . work. the conse-
qncuces OF which may extend through ages
which ~ human enumeration caa count, and
;oto ieud u,b irla hum n aafi
mste ean reach.
Il 10 your happincse, Gentlemen, to live at
,ims. when tho duty to which you have de-
voted yourselves, is becoming every day moro
highly, and therefore moro and more justly
regarded. Education may almost be -said to
be now the absorbing topic. ia civilized com
muni,ies 1t is seen to lie at the foundation
Of sociai we'll being, and 10 connect itself also,
indi.sosnbly. with individual happiness in both
worlds. A vocation so useful, so indispensa-
bio, seems, at last, likely to become promin-
ent; TO attract pubiie regard. and to gain to
those who follow j: their proper place IN pub
lick estimati ton. I tender you, Gentlemen. my
congratulations OF those favorable appearan-
ces, as well as on other good auspices which
now hang over the msmentous subjects Of pub.
lick education. Among your number I see
those who were my contemporary fellow pu-
pile. s~d whom am now happy to meet again,
in the places ef oxr earliest Acquaintance. Fol
them. and for you all. Mr.. President and Gen.
t!emen, 1 beg to repeat my most sincere re-
gard, and most ferysnt good wishes.
NY Young Friends
thank you for the wishes you have signi
Fad 70 meet with me, and to honour mo with
a token Of your esteem. Not able 10 comply
with your requests, in that particular, it gives
me true satisfaction to come among you IN th'
friendly and fratersal manner, to exchange
mutual greetings, and to cherish tho feeling
whieh become sons Of the same mother
hope You will regard me as a brother, no 9th.
erwise distinguished from yourselves than al
being some what older, and a little moro expe
sieneed, but still as anxious as any brother
among you for your collective and your indiv
iduaI happiness. reputation Of the Col
ises. and the exemplary conduct, and thf
Justly excited spirit Of improvement Of thsss
who compose the classes Of Undergraduates
canno, but bo highly gratifying TO it's friends
Permit me, my friends, to use the privilege
ef an elder brother, in endsaveuring to impress
upon you, still more deeply, the vital impor
lance Of filling up this poftios OF your tim'
with tho most assidueus aplication-Man,
things you know. and maHy things you Cal
estimate. as they ought to be estimated. Blu
"a, IL 10 not commonly given to young minds 4
know tho true value Of time, nor to judg
Justly Of he necessity Of filling it full with duty
Theso things become fully revealed, however
to sdv4scing sgs, and increasing experience
You may safsIy take the truth, in this respect
on credit and be assured your faith will sr
issr be followed by your own personal con
vieiisss. Al this period Of your lives. an
with these opportunities around you, fro.
b which you are % soeu to part, you shoul
count not only weeks and days, but hours an
,n;~uses. Every occupied moment may pre-
ssducs something effective on your future usefu
psss and happiness. With kind and sssdue'
;.s,suessrs around you; with anxious parent
whose hopes and prayers constantly loo
htbsyvard for their object; with an expectin