The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-12-17
speech Of mr.. Buchanan--w ords Of
Wisdom. Fs 3


believed he is the frs, gentleman occupying
similar position, who has ever been elected
President Of the United Siaies-hence the
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lows:
He said that he felt greatly indebted 10 his
young friends for their visit. He had The as
surance that al least, their congratulations
were sincere, as they spsang from the warm
hearts Of youth, which had not YET had time
to become corrupted aud hardened in the
ways of The world. The bosom of youth was
the abode Of sincerity and truth, aud it.was
indeed pleasure and an honor to receive
the warm out-pourings of their hearts. He
said that he bad always fell great soliciiude
for the interests Of Franklin and Marshall
College il was noble institution and he
was proud to be the Prstdeut Of It's Board
Of Directors. He was extremely gratified to
learn that it had fair prospects, NOT only of
large number of students, but Of great use-
fulness. II was gratifying TO see so large a
number OF worthy young men already en-
rolled on it's list of students. He referred TO
their responsibility, reminding them that
when the present generation had passed a.
way, and been gathered 10 their fathers, on
Them, the young men of to-day, would rest
the responsibility Of forming and administer
ing the future government, of the country,
and Of preserving intact our glorions Union
aud Constitution. There was not, he said, q
young man among them, however humble
his position, who might no, aspire with an
honorable ambition, to fill the highest Office
within the gift Of the people; but in order to
attain to positions Of honor and usefulness
and dislinciion, they must remember iha,
everything depends upon themselves. They
| nnst- -cafua oni the fninra from Ina annnrn--
mites of the present. Kind parents have al
folded them rare opportunities of acquiring
that knowledge which constitutes power If
they neglect or abuse these opportunities
II they icle away the golden hours allotted for
the improvement of mind If they are not
! obedient 10 their professors in allthat relales
10 the good interest and success of the insti-
tuiion-lhen, they might be assured, they
would have cause TO repent Of their folly
through long hours Of bitter sorrow in after
life--for they could never retrieve the past.
Mr.. Buchanan said he had been college
boy himself, and none of the best boys either,
being fond of fun like themselves. There
were many little excentriclies in the life of a
college student that might be pardoned or
overlooked; but there was one habit which,
If formed at college or in early youth, would
cling 10 them in after life and blight the fair
est prospects. He referred 10 the use Of in
toxicaiing liquors, and declared II would be
better for thai youth who contacted an appe-
tite for strong drink that he were dead or had
never been born /; for wien he saw ) oung
man entering upon snch career, a fondness
oiliquor becoming with him governing pas
sion hecould see nothing before him bui life
Of sorrow and dishonored grave in bis old
age. Many lads, he was aware considered this
practice work Of smariness, but be regarded
!. as an offence that cannot be pardoned, ss-
pecialiy in student at college; and he con-
cluded this earnest appeal by expressing the
hope and belief ,ha, none OF the young men
Of franklin and Marshall were addicted 10
this dangerous practice.
The speaker then alluded to The course and
habits Of study necessary 10 insure success
in students lie. Many young men prided
themselves in running over great many
books, and gaining superficial knowledge
Of so many branches of science This was
of no practical use. He would urge them 10
learn thoroughly all they undertook TO learn
40 acquire knowledge dstinc,ly--aud then
they would be able to uss il 70 some practical
advantage 10 after lie. They should apply
,hemselves with diligence 10 their allotted
studies by day, reflect at night upon what
they had thus acquired, and appropriate it as
their best capital, with which 70 engage in
the struggles ofliie. He had met with many
men Of prominence. who had looked al the
indexes Of great many books, and had a
general smatterins of knowledge, but il was
all surface work, and Of no practical use
He hopsd his young frisnds here prssen.
wonld svoid falling into this error.
Mr.. Buchanan remarked that his election
had been alluded 10, and he might be expect.
ed 10 say something on thai point. He had
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