New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-12-04
VISIT TO THE PRESIDENT ELECT.


College numbering one hundred accornp anied by
the President and faculty, and the Fencbles Brass
Band paid their respects TO Mr. buchanan At W Wheat
land. The occasion was one OF no ordinary interest
for we believe il is the fret time 10 the history of our
country at the President of the Board of any college
wac visited by its students to congratulate him on his
elect on 10 the hg est Office within the gift OF free
people To Franklin and Marshall College was re-
ssved the bonored distinction OF being the hrs 70 nave
tie President of its Board Of Trustees selected as the
PIesideut OF the Republic; aid trust that will not
be the last marx of high distraction which the people
ill confer upon that noble institution, Of which the
citizens of our county aid State may we'll be proud
THIS visit suggested aud arranged among the
siuden'stht mselyes, Who with common consent laid
aside all patty preferences and preudices, and united
il the movement by unanimous vote. The approba
ticn of the President and Faculty OF the College
sought ond OBJ aimed only after the visit hsd been
sgreed upon. And there was peculiar proprety in
it, Mr.. Buchsnan las been the President of the Board
of Trustees Of the College since their rst organization
in January 1853 and has always felt deep interest in
its prosperity, and taken active part 10 its affairs
While at home, beside heading the list OF donations
subscribed for the erection of the new edihcc with a
very liberal contribution. II was therefore, very nat
uraI ard proper that the students should feel dereto
e, der their congratulations to the President Of their
Board oL biz elevation TO the Pres deLcy Of the Anef
car Republic.
The faculty aud studtn ts marched in procession from
the college st O'clock preceded by the band On
arriving at Wheatland, they were invited into the gen.
eral ton room. Mr.. Buchanan CORDIALLY received
tftm one alter another, they entered. They were
the 70, maliy introduced by the Rev. T.. " Gerhart
Pr sident Of the College, who briefly stated the object
Of the visit.
Mr.. vii lam A. Duncan OF Caahtcwn, Ia delivered
the coDgratulatory address.
MR.. BUcHAsAS's REPLY.
Mr.. Buchanan said in reply, that he felt greatly in
debied to his young friends for their visit. lie had the
assurance that, at least, their congratulations were
sincere as they sprung from the warm hearts of
youth, which had not yet had time to become cor
rpted and harder cd in the ways of the world. The
bosom Of youth the abode Of sincerity and truth,
art il wss deed p asure and an honor to receive
the warm outpoprDgs of their hearts. he said be had
always felt great socitude Tor the interests Of Frank
lin ard Marshall College; it was noble institution,
and be pr. I'D to be ibe President OF its Board OF
Directors. He was extremely gratiied to learn it
had fair prospects, not only Of large number OF stu-
dents but Of err meulness. 1t was gratifying to see
so large humber of worthy young men already en-
rolled lis lists of students lie referred to their re-
spoDsibility, remindhg them that when the
teen gathered to their fathers. on them, the
young men of TO day. would rest the responsibility of
forming ard administering the future government of
the country and of serving intact glorious Union
ard Constitution. There was not, he said young
man among them, however humble his position, who
might not aspire with an honorable AMBITION to I'LL the
highest office within tie gift of the people; but in or
der 10 attain to positions of homer and usefulness and
distinct ON, they must remember that everything de
ponds upon Themselves. They must carve out thelrfu
ture from the opportunities of the present. Kind pa
u
of acquiring that knowledge which constitutes power.
If they neglect abuse these opportunities if they
idle away the golden hours allotted for the improve
mtnt of mind if they not obedient to their pro-
fessors in oil that relates 10 the good interest and
cess Of tie institution then, they might be assured,
they would have TO repent of their folly through
long hous of in after ife Tor they could never
retrieve the past. Mr. Buchanan said he had been a
college boy himself and none Of the best of boys,
either, beng fond OF fun, Ike themselves. There
were man! little eccebtrctes Ia the lie of college
student that might be pIrdoned or overlooked; but
there D1bit Which II formed at College Or IN
esIly cuih would cling To them through after Ie and
blight the iaTest proecs. He referred To the use OF
Intoxicating liquors, aid declared it would be better
fol- that youth Who contracted al appetite for strong
rink that he were dead or had never been born Tor
wi en- he saw a young man entering upoa such ca
reer, Il foDdness OF liquor becoming with blm gov.
eIning passion he could nothing before him but
life OF s.IroW and dishoLored grave 10 his Old age.
Many lads, be was aware, COL dered this practice
mark Of smarfness, but he regardeJ as an ohense
that car not be psrdcned, especially IN student a,
college; ard he Concluded this earneet appeal by
expressing the hope snd belief that none of the young
ucn of Franz lin ana Msrshall were addicted to this
dangerous Irao ice. The speaker then alluded 10
the c,uise aud habit, of study necessary 10 insure SUI
cess in students life Many young men pfded them
elvts in ruLniI over great mauy books and gaming
superficial! knowledge of many branches of s,ielce.
This was OF 10 practical use. He woId urge them %
learn thoroughly gil they Undertook To leacn-o ac-
ouire powl, dge cistncily-and then they would be
sbl 10 use il 10 some prscca adv atfsge in after life.
They should appJ themselves with diligence to their
sloi,d studies BY day, reflect al Light upon what they
bud iius scqUn,d d, and sIproprin~ Il as their best
cstitsl with which 10 tngsge in the sirug yes of life.
lie bed met with mary men % promioence who had
licked at the indexes OF a great many books and
Lfd Q, neral smairering of snos ledge, but Il vas
sn ,p,tace work ard Of 10 practical u.e. He hoped
his Young iIenes here present would AVOID fall.
ing into this enor. Mr. Buchanan remarked toa'
bis election bad been alluded -. and be might be
ten elected 10 he high and res possible office OF Pres
Mt and be ibauked them most sincerely Tor the'r
eonei ulsiiops; but whether the event would prove
to be meter If congratulsiion time siooe can deter
which yss wropg the fears OF the Father of bis