The North-Carolina standard., 1847-09-08
ADDRESS

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ADDR ESS 1-aa g4,s-l4
NJ the Hon. JOHN Y .MAS ON, deliDered before the
sl.trani association Of the University of North
Carolina, Jts'se 2, 1647.e,.. ..t af-.. .-. -5@
Mr. President, and gentlemen Of the association:
In appearing before you tn-day, while regret
hat your invitation had not found possessed OF
more leisure than have had in which to meet is
rauirements, am glad of the opportunity which
has thus been afforded me, to testify my continued
interest in my Alma Mater, and my sincere re-
gard for those great purposes OF science ana of
irue which it is the fortunate office of an Amerl-
,an University to promote .s
After intervals Of absence-sonie Of them en-
Srcing more than quarter of cenlury-we
Jst ain, mindful yet OF our literary brotherhood,
y cherished scenes of our youthful studies, and
rncw for few brief hours, amid the fragrant
na.norials of Chapel Hill, our ancient compan-
onshp Of letters, and old associations Of classic
Gr Turning aside from accustomed pur-
suits, we exchange the greetings of friendship in
halls long sacred to religion and TO truth; and
before the althrs of our early worship, we gather
fresh motives OF gratitude TO the venerable lnstltu-
lion whose virtues they commemorate. We sur
render ourselves 10 the mild influences of the day
and the occasion. We forget the discords of pro-
fssional strife the hard competitions of business;
he feverish thirst for fame: and hushing all the
thousand voices of party zeal, we bow ourselves in
unressting submission the dicinity of The place
In such influences we find our best preparation
for the Anniversary which we celebrate. Ii is
faivaI less of the head than of the heart II has
more concern with generous impulses and warm
.feclons than with the cold deductions of reason,
or The dry speculations of metaphysics Ii is
wisely Intended, not so'much for the exhibition of
boarded knowledge and the discussion of abstruse
bought, as for the promotion of kind feeling, the
Rrenothenng of good resolves, the awakening and
glckenng of a spirit of improvement in ourselves
ud in others 1t brings together, from remote
Rces and from various paths, those whose only
nmorirs in common cluster around this seat of
arning and it thus perpetuates attachments
Ehch might otherwise lie buried for ever 10 the
jlzt of years. In this view Of its character, It
claims the rewards of patriotism, less than the
regards Of friendship; and strengthens our union
IS cilizens by reviving our connection as Students
The bonds which hold together our extended con.
cderacv OF States, are not those alone which are
10 be read in written constitutions and gathered
from the elictmen,s of legal codes; but those,
rather, which are found IN the interchange of So
ciil kindness in the attractions of literary inter-
course; and in the manifold associations which
sprng from the communions Of religion and the
pursuits of business Every institution, therefore,
which, like our own Society: gathers its members
freuu mt periods from distant sections and differ
eat States, forms a new link in that most important
,hain of causes. upon which must chitfly rely,
aier Providence. for the support and Pcrpetuny
dour republican system.
In behalf Of that system, how numerous aud
7owerful are the motives which appeal to US on
az anniversary like this The tranquility Ofthcse
academic walks, the circumstances, all OF them,
under which we assemble: speak 10 Us OF btneh-
cent Government aad prospered country. The
experience too, of every one of Us enforces the
eame lesson with the strength and VIvIdness OF
PERSONAL conviction
In what other nation has honest ambition so
wide a range and merit so certain and so briliaht
reward? Where esr in the. civilized world,
can a virtuous education be SO surely Obtained
and IeaI 10 results of such transcendant WORTH
A DISTINGUISHED illustration of this truth we
have present in our own companIonshIp today.
The Youth whom some of US remember as stu
dent Of Chapel Hill in the class of 1918, whose
feeble health had threatened 10 quench his ardent
thirst of knowledge, returns to US now, the occu-
pant of the highest political station winch Is
Known on earth. We recognize here no dlstlnc-
ions Of artificial rank no claims of lineage; no
Rsumptions of wealth; but we acknowledge that
he henors conferred upon oar brother-in-letLers
arc reflected back upon our University and ou r.
selves and we recognize them as the fruit Of wise
Instruction. and as incentives to efforts in Others to
whom opportunities are offered, more favorable,
even, than were his, We greet him on this
suspicious occasion, not alone as the Chief MagIs-
tra,e of the Republic, but in more near and
friendly relation as our ancient associate in study
and 9raduate. with u.s. of the same honored in
aiution. Here, where in the bright morning o.
life he laid in virtue. in industry, and in science
the deep foundations of his subsequent success, ne
comes back with US, TO pay the sincere homage o
gratitude for those early privileges to which ht
owes so much, and which he can now, more thar
ever, value az they deserve. In his recollection
as 10 the memory of Us all, this ancient place ye
gIOws with its old attractions and our affections
fOndIy turn to i, amid the wander1ngs Of earn
fliai respect. However in other scenes and les:
tranquil pursuits, -.l- -. ........sz 3. ;,,, ~.
6" = --the ear is all unstrung,
"S.l, still il loves the icwIand tongue" -
But time. which natures and ripens, also de-
Hroys; and as our eyes wander over this assembly
We mourn the absence of many a familiar coun
tenance and MANY a beloved form. While we ac