Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-08-13
nap MASON,S ADDRESS.

We have hitherto been prevented from refer
ring 10 The admirable address of the Secretary
Of the Navy, delivered before The association OF
The Alumni Of The University of North Carolina,
upon whose venerable halls OF learning lew have
conferred more honor than The distinguished
orator whose name heads this notice We feel
satisfied that We could not devote our space more
appropriately than 10 copons extracts from an
address 50 iul Of classic eloGucrcc, bold views
OF the future, and so we'll calculated 10 advance
The Interests Of patriotism and Virtue.
The orator draws with mastery pencil The
rich fruits Of free institutions. He rorirays in
vivid cclors The rapid strides which cur Repub-
lie has made under lhc influence OF "lIoe inslIuc-
ton, free religion and free press" lie shows
what this great country has dore-what an ele-
walton OF prosperity anil power il has already at
laincG-- and What a glorious destiny IL may YET
reach, il orr people only prove true 10 themselves
and their noble institutions.
We ieeretthai We have not room for The whole
OF n address, whose higb-,oned sentiments all
mus, approve. The passages we have cnIled
distinguished speaker, OF his native Stale, and OIL
the College 10 which the President and himself
recently made pilgrimage, under The mosl in
leres,ng and gratifying auspices:
EXTRACTS FROM MR.. MAsoN's ADDRESS.
After intervals OF absence-some OF them en-
bracing more than a quarter OF a century-We
visi, again, mindful yet OF our literary brother
IL ekaI Of fttl
studies. and renew for few brief hours, amid
The fragrant memorials OF Chapel Hill our an
Client companionship letters, and our old asso-
Citations OF classic life Turning aside from our
accustomed pursuits, we exchange the greetings
of friendship in halls long sacred 10 religion and
10 truth: and before The affairs OF our early war-
ship we gather fresh motives of gratitude 10 the
venerable institution whose virtues they CONNIE
moraie. we surrender ourselves 10 The mid in.
auences OF the day and the occasion. We for
ee, The discords Of professional strife; the hard
competitions OF business; the ieverish thirst for
fame: and, hushing all The thousand voices oi
party zeal, we bow ourselves in unressling sub.
mission 10 The diriri,y OF the 2iase.
Every institution, therefore, which, like our
own Society, gathers lis members al frequent Pc
RODS from distant sections and dlfieren, States,
forms new link in that most mror,an, chain OF
causes upon which we must chiefly rely, under
Providence, for The support and perpeluiIy OF our
republican system.
In behalf OF that system, how numerous and
powerful are The motives which appeal 10 US on
an anniversary like this The tranquility OF
,hese academic walks-the circumstances, all OF
them, under which we assemble, speak 10 us of a
benefcen; government and prospered country.
The experience, too, OF every one oil US, eniorces
the same lesson with The strength and yvidnesS
of personal conviction.
In wha, other nation has honest ambition so
wide a range, and merit So certain and SO bril-
liant a reward7 Where else, in The civilized
world, can vrluous education be 50 surely OBJ
taincd, and lead 10 results oil such lransccntanl
worth 7
A distinguished illustration OF this truth we
have present in our own companonshlp Today.
The youth. whom some Of us remember as STU.
den, OF Chapel Hill in the class OF 1918 whose
Tribe health had threatened 10 qnench HE ard~s.
pant OF The highest political Stallion which is
known cn earth. We recognise here 70 disiinc-
lion Of artificial rank; no claims Of lineage; no
assumption oil wealth; but we acknowledge that
The honors conferred upon our brolher-inleiers
are reflected back upon our University and our
selves, and we recognise them as The fruit OF wise
instruction, and as incentives 10 efforts in others,
10 whom opportunities are offered more favora-
BILE, even, than were his. We greet him on this
aus pcious occasion, not alone as The Chief Ma.
eislrate Of he Republic but 10 a more near and
friendly relation, as our ancient associate in STU
dy, and graduate, with US Of the same honored
institution Here, where in The brigh! morning
OF life he laid, in virtue, in industry, and in sci.
euce, The deep foundations Of his subsequent sue
cess, he comes back with us, TO pay the sincere
homage Of gratitude Tor those early privileges 10
which he owes so much, and which he can now,
more than ever, value as they deserve. In his
recollection, as in The memory OF US all, this an
cieul place yel glow. with its old attractions and
our affections fondy lu.n TO il, amid The wander.
ings of cath, with something Of youthful ardor,
as we'll as Of flial respect. However, in other
scenes and less tranquil pursuits,
"the ear is all unstrung,
Still, stlli, il loves tho owland tongue
In its broad and comprehensive sense, the
work of education is the grand business OF human
lie; and in these Uniled States, need hardly