The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1856-12-20
from the Lancaster (Pa) Express, Dec. IL
VISIT TO THE PRESIDENT ELECT BY
THE STUDENTS OF FRANKLIN AND
MARSH ALL COLLEGE.

On Friday last the students of Franklin aud
Marshall College, numbering over one hun
dred, accompanied by the President and facu.
ty, aud the Tcncblcs brass band, paid their
respect to Mr.. Buchanan at Wneatlan. The
occasion was cue Of no ordinary interest, for
we believe it is the first time in the history of
our country that the President of the Board
of any college was visited by its students to
congratulate him on his election to the highest
Office within the gift of free people To
Franklin and Marshall College was reserved
the honorcd distinction of being the first to
have the President of its Board of Trustees
selected as the President Of the republic; and
we trust that it will not be the last mark of
high distinction which the people will confer
upon that noble institution, of which the citi-
zcns of our county and State may well he
proud.
This visit was suggested and arranged among
the students themselves, who with common
consent laid aside all party preferences and
prcjudices, and united in the movement by Il
ident and Faculty Of the College was sought
and obtained only after visit had been agreed
upon. And there was peculiar propriety III
it. Mr.. Buchanan has been the President OF
the Board Of Trustees of the College since
their first organization in January, 1888, and
has always felt deep interest in its prosperity,
and taken IN active part in its affairs while at
home besides heading the list of donations
subscribed for the erection Of the new edlllce
with very liberal contribution. 1t was,
therefore, very natural and proper that the
students should feel desire to tender their
congratulations to the President Of their Board
on his elevation to the Presidency of the
American republic.
The faculty and students marched in process
sion from the college ut three o'clock, preceded
by the band On arriving at Whcatlnnd
they were invited into the general reception
room. Mr. Buchanan cordially received them
one after another, rs they entered. They were
thun formally introduced by Rev l.. V Ger,
hart President Of ,nr College, who briefly
stated the object of the visit.
, Gir. William A. DInr N. of Cushtowu, Penn.
slyyaniu, delivered the congratulatory ad
i dress
MR. BUCHANAN'S REPLY
\ Mr. BUCHANAN said in reply, that he felt
greatly indebted to his young iriegtls for their
visit. lie had the assurance that, at least,
their congratulations were sincere, rs they
sprung from the warm hearts of youth, which
had not yet had time to bccomc corrupted and
haldencd in tnc ways OF the world. The
bosom OF youth was the abode of sincerity aud
ruth and it was indeed pleasure and IN
honor TO receive the warm outpourings OF their
hearts. lie said he had always felt u great
soIcltudc for the interests Of Franklin and
Marshall College; it was noble institution,
and he was proud to he the President OF It's
Board of Directors liz was extremely graft
lied to learn that it had fair proSp cts, not on.
~ Of large number Of students, but OF great
usefulness. 1t was gratifying TO see SO large
Il number OF worthy young me. already en-
rolled Oh its list Of students. lie referred t1
their responsibility reminding tncm tnht ~hei
the present generation had passed away, and
been gathered to their fathers, on them, III,
young men Of to day, wosli r.; the respo ~
billy Of forming aad aam lst,rnS the iltnrt
goycruincnt Of Inc country, asa Of preserving
inacr our glorious CIol ani Constitution
There was aoI he sad, IL young man anon
them, however humble his position. who mign
not aspire with an honorable ambition, TO fill
the highest Office wltnin til, gift of the pao
tplc; but, IL order 10 positions Of honor AM
that everything depends npol themselves
They mast carve ont their future from the op
portnnitcS OF tie present, Kind parents nnl
friends have afforded them rare opporlunitle,
for acquiring that Knowledge which constitute
power II thcy neglect or abuse these oppor
tnnitieS--f thoy die away the golden hour
allotted for the Improvement OF mlnd-if the,
are not obedlent to their professors in all tn,
relates to the good interest and success Of tn
instltutIon--tlen they might be assured the
would have cause to repent OF Their foil,
through long hours OF sorrow in after life; 70
they could never retrieve tine past. Mr. Bu
clnnan said he had been II college boy himself
and none Of the best of boys, either, being fon
Of fan, like themselves There were many &c
crntrctics in the life of II college student, tina
might be pardoned or overlooked; but Their
was one habit which, if formed at college or II
early youth, would cling to them through ast2
life ana blight their tairest prospects. He re
tcrred to the use of intoxicating liquors, am
declared it would be better for that youth win
, contracted an appetite for strong drink, tina
he were dead, or had never been born; 70
when he saw IL young man entering upon sue
l a career, a fondness for liquor becoming wit
him governing passion, he could see nothn