The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1855-07-14

l1On JOUu
DEAR SIN: With great pleasure we communicate
to you the joint action of the Franklin Institute ana
Union Literary society of Centenary College, in Sc
lectng you to address them on the 10Th of July
next the day prior to the Annual Commencement
by the College, II being their anniversary With the
hone that your acceptance will be received In due
time, we remain, yours, most respectfully,
Edward G. Delony 7. ". Ellis,
| NJ. j. Bowman, q. W. Carter
Committee.
| SOMERSET, May sth, 1885,
| GENTLEMEN--I have received your polite note, in
forming me ofmy election to address the members
of the Union Literary Society,"" and !" Franklin In
sttutc," and expressing the hope that II may be
convenient for to accept and deliver the address
on their anniversary, the oath day of July next
| Please express to those you represent my sense
of the compliment conveyed in their invitation and
the deep regret feel at being obliged to disappoint
them. My plans for the summer have been so made
fear to preclude the possibility of my even be-
ing present at your commencement; were this 9TH
erwise, however, my time between this and the date
you mention will be entirely engrossed with mat
ters of aprivate character requiring attention after
an absence of nearly two years from the state that
1t will not be possible for to make that prepare
tion without which would not appear before your
societies. trust that on some other occasion it
may be In my power to visit your college and form
the acquaintance of your members. l feel deep
interest in the prosperity of Centenary College, as
well in that of every other institution of learn
ing in the state, and would it were In my power to
impress upon the young gentlemen connected with
them, the pride they should feel in contributing by
good conduct, and scholarship to their renown. The
character of an institution depends more upon the
spirit and bearing of its pupils than upon the learn
ing of its professors Rich cndowments, large IL
braries, and splendid cabinets no more than eloquent
instructions, can make thorough and accomplished
scholars, in the absence of noble emulation to ex-
eel, the part ofstudents. II does seem to me that
If there was time when young Lonsianian would
be reused to exert himself to reflect credit upon
college in his own state it would be now when q
false and perverted public sentiment is making al
most impossible to him the prosecuting of his stud
les in those institutions of the north, which, like
Harvard and Yale. from having been the lights Of
the country and looked to for half century as the
conservaors ofal that was good and true, have be-
come the centres of an influence upon the mind and
literature of the country deeply to be regretted
Instead of resisting, they have stimulated the wild
public sentiment around Them their professors rush
ing into anti-Nebraska political and religious meet
ings, aud talking of exchanging their professional
robes for those Of the soldier to do battle in the
cause of freedom! Strange language indeed in the
connection uttcred-comng from Yale, one of whose
best and purest Presidents, DIR. Stcs) was at one
period of his life STAKEHOLDER and so far an encour-
az q a., ha,,
negro Harvard University in its selection of such
noted higher law Abolitionists as the Hon. Amasa
Walker, and the Hon. Arson Burlingame as cxami-
ners Of the classes of political economy, and in its
more recent deposition of Judge Lorng from ectu-
in its law school, because of dishonest and man
y discharge of duty under the fugitive slave bill
has made step even beyond Yale College in the eff
fort to keep pace with what is called the moral SEN
timent-( frenzy )-of the day. II is with no pleas
urc speak in this way Of these institutions for |
graduated at YALE and studied law at Cambridge
and for their Presidents | entertain respect APP
preaching to reverence. Presidents Woolsey OF
Yale, and Walker of Harvard, are good and learned
men, and of far too much wisdom, / am persuaded
to sympahizc in the displays of some Of their ad,
! juncts.
Wv hos uchic you bSdilsb thc iilsii-
tntons of the northern states Of the Union, nor by
an allusion TO Objectionable influences unfortunately
prevailing in them to diminish respect for what OF
scholarship and philosophy is truly admirable in
thcm-but to awaken feeling Of pride in the fact
of your membership Of an institution within oul
borders, which it is a duty to cherish Us the light
and ornament of the Statewide would not go tc
the extent of one of the Morris of Revolutionary
memory and provide by will against the education
under any circumstance of a son in New England
state feel that may very properly congratulate yor
upon being connected with an institution like Cen
tenary College-located in pleasant and healthy
portion of the satc-bcsscd with good and able
professors, and annually contributing to the cduca
ted mind of the country in an alumni, many Of whom
are honorably distinguished in all the walks and pro
LESSONS Of life.
Wishing you gentlemen happy and successful
prosecution of your studies and lives Of usefulness
| Ireman yours very truly,
| 40. JOHN PERKINS, Jr.
To Messrs. H. j. Deony, I. W. Ellis G. W. Carter
NJ. j. Bowman, Committee Of invitation.
Baton Rouge Advocate and other papers please
copy.
A. r. Brown, 7. j. Millsap, W. W. Wall, W. +
Noteworthy, Publishing Committee.