The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-07-31

Mr.. Massn's Address.
We have been fortunate enough to obtain copy of tire
Address delivered by Judge Mason before the Alumni As
ISOLATION OF the University of North Carolina, and take
treat pleasure in laying ii before readers 1t has just
been printed in this city Unexpected circumstances have
Ipreyened earlier publication; but the delay has not
srpped OF one OF its beauties, impaired the interest
which originally produced We happy find the Sec
reary Of the Navy turning aside for few moments from
he arduous duties of his department and bringing back
worthy tribute OF his gratitude TO the same shrine from
which he caught the first sparks OF his eloquence
Where he sowed he goes to offer what he has reaped in
| The maturity OF his talents And Chapel Hill College
NAV well boast of the fruit which she has produced.
The Address presents rapid but mastery view of the
blessings of our free institutions 1t shows the various
elements Of which they composed, and the in
which they operate. Under the auspices OF free istruc
ton free religion, and free press" free political
Institutions are osered and continued and we dare to
saw perpetuated The compliment which he has paid to
the press, beautiful is correct He sketches
with bold pencil the various improvements which we
have attained every departments and paints with pro-
phec sagacity the immense consequences which des
tined to result from the combined virtue and intelligence
| of our fellow citizens
We lay the whole Address before readers, satisfied
that we cannot publish anything which can be more
agreeable to their tastes, useful in its conse
quences
Address Alumni Association the UnIver-
sity OF North Carolina
Delivered Gerard Hall, June q lsi7, by Hon. John Y.
Mason, LII. ID
CORRESPONDENCE
Al meeting of the Alumni Association of the Universe
OF North Carolina held in Gerard Hall the evening OF
the I'd June, lSi7 il was unanimously resolved, motion
delivery of the annual address by the Hon. John Y Mason,
THAT the thanks of the Alumni Association be presented
Secretary Mason and that he be requested to furnish
copy of his address tor publication"
His exeeeney Governor Graham. the Rev Prof Green,
and the Hon. Judge Battle appointed committee to
carry this resolution into effect
CHAPEL HILL, June g. 1917.
SIR The undersigned have been appointed committee
Association of this University very able, interesting,
and instructive address which you delivered in Gerard
Hall last evening and request copy for publications
WILL. A. GRAHAM,
WILL M. GREEN
WILL. H. BATTLE
To the Hon. JOHN Y. Mason, present
CHAPEL Hull, June s. 1917.
GENTLEMEN: have received your esteemed favor, in
which, committee, you tender TO me the acknowledge
of the Alumni Association for the address which
had the honor deliver in Gerard Hall last evening Hap
py having the wishes of the association and defer
ring their judgment of the merits OF production on
which you kindly expressed favorable opinion
Wi! comply with request and transmit to you copy
Of the address soon as can prepare the manuscript
With highest respect and regard your obedient
~ j. Y MASON.
Messrs. WA. A. GRAHAM, WM M. GREEN, WM H. Bat
TIE. Chapel Hill.
ADDRESS.
Mr. President, and Gentlemen of the Association:
In appearing before you to-day, while regret that
your invitation had not found one possessed OF more
leisure than have had in which to meet Its requirements
am glad of the opportunity which has thus been afforded
me- to testify my continued interest in my alma Mater,
and my sincere regard for those great purposes of science
hal
can University to promote
After intervals of absence-some OF them embracing
than quarter Of century-we visit again, mind
full vet of our literary brotherhood the cherished
of youthful sndies and renew for lew BRIEF nours
amid the fragrant memorials of Chapel Hill our ancient
companionship of letters and our old associations OF
classic life Turning aside from our accustomed pursuits,
exchange the greetings OF friendship IN halls long
sacred religion and to truth and before the affairs OF our
early worship gather fresh motives OF gratitude 10 he
venerable institution whose virtues they commemorate
We surrender ourselves to the mid influences OF the day
and the occasion We forget the discords OF
strife the hard competitions Of business me leveIls 81
party ZEAL bow ourselves in unressting submission
to the divinity Of the place. !,
In such influences we lind our best preparation LOT the
anniversary which celebrate It'll festival less OF the
head than OF the heart 1t has concern with generous
impulses and affections, than with the cold deduc-
tons Of the dry speculaons OF metaphysics
Ii is wisely intended not much for the exhibition OF
boarded knowledge and the discussions OF abstruse
thought for the promotion OF kind feeling the strength
ening OF good resolves, the awakening ana quickchiB
OF spirit of improvement in ourselves and IN Others II
brings together from remote places and from various
paths those whose only memories in common cluster
around this seat of learning and it thus perpetuaes at
tachments which might otherwise lie buried forever IN
the dust of years. In this view of its character 1t claims
the rewards of patriotism less than the regards OF
friendship; and strengthens our union as cltzens Dy re-
vivng connexion students. The bonds which hod
together extended conederacy OF States are not those
alone which are to be read in written constitutions
and gathered from the enacments OF legal codes Dut
those rather, which found in the interchange OF So
ca kindness in the attractions OF literary intercourse;
and in the manifold associations which spring from Inc
communons of religion and the pursuits OF business
Every institution therefore, which, like own society,"
gathers its members at frequent periods from distant sec
important chain OF causes, upon which must chiefly
rely under Providence, for the support and perpetuy OF
our republican system.
In behalf OF that system, how numerous and powerful
the motives which appeal to us an anniversary like
this. The tranquility of these academic walks-the CIR
tumstances, all of them, under which we assemble,
speak to us OF benefcent government and pros
pered country The experience, too, OF every one OF US
enorces the lesson with the strength and vivdness
OF personal conviction.
In what other nation has honest ambition so wide a
range and merit so certain and brilliant reward
Where ese in the civilized world virtuous educa-
hon be surely obtained and lead to results OF such
ranscendant worth
distinguished illustration of this truth have pres
ent in own companonship to-day. The youth,
whom some of remember student of Chapel HILL
IN the class OF 1915 whose feeble health had threatened
to quench his ardent thirst of knowledge returns TO
now, the occupant of the highest political station which
is known earth. We recognise here no distinction OF