Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-01-02
DIR, THoBNWELE's ADDgEsS.'

] So"u' Sato'ha SoheBe, just clOSed,' Dr
'rhornwell, in a, feeling manner, in his ad.
dress tothe graduating class, after alludine
to his separation from the institution to de:
vote himself to- theological teachings, pro:
pounded the following mature and paternal
counsels to the young men about to enter
upon the business of1ite. The exhortations
are simple and digni6ed, and fiil a space IN
our journal that no sub ject could be waorttiier
Of II is bis last and precious legacy to
those, land their number is legonn) Who iduu.
ring SO many years have profited by: his
teachings, and will be affectionateIy received
and cherished:
The world is open before you, and you
are painting with eager hearts to enter upon
its conflicts aud its cares. 1t is to you ar.
rayed in colors Of gold, and, although a
thousand tongues should at once proclaim
that its realities are the reverse of the pic.
lures of the fancy, you could not in your
delusve enchantment listen to the voice Of
experience. You have to learn for your
raAl..A.LL LL4.A-;c
recount the story OF your life,sit would strike
you as absolutely incredible that the dreams
Of youth should be so different from the facts
of maturity that the world gded with hope
should be in such contrast with the world
reflected in the light Of experience. You see
now the splendid decorations of the puppet
show but then you would find, having been
behind the scenes, you had seen the filthy
interior. AS it is hopeless, however, to
think Of imparting to youth the experience
OF age, and to impress upon youth the wis.
dom which is dear bought fruit Of experience,
the next to be done is to inculcate those
principles of morality and religion, which
will enable man to act his part in the un.
expected contingencies and the most trying
circumstances of life.
There must be to every man some promi.
nent rule of life-some law to which he re-.
fers all his interior axioms and which consti-
tutes his standard of duty and Of action.
The character will be formed upon this rule,
and it is matter of vast consequence to
every young man, about to step into the
world, to ask himself seriously what is the
principle which in his heart has practical
supremacy. 1t is possible, gentlemen, to
have one law speculative, and another prac-
tical, and therefore let him not ask what is
the false and imaginary principle of bis life,
but ask himself what, on trial in which bis
character is at stake, would be the real &C.
tual rule by which he would be guided
what is the rule which is sub.ordinating
everything to itself-his purposes, his reso.
lutions and his conduct.
know the people Of this commonwealth
with great intimacy. you were asked the
question, what is the sentiment which is al.
most with instinct the ruling sentiment with
the young men of South Carolina, you would
answer at once that honor is the pervading
principle Of your hearts. The very word is
associated in your minds with what is noble,
generous, manly and dignifed. You are
ready to exclaim Honor is the sacred tie
or law of kings. 1t is the nobleman's dis.
tinguisbing characteristic. 1t strengthens
virtue wherever it finds it. and extends her
influence where she is not. Honor ought
not to be disputed"
This priciple, gentlemen, may be good or
bad according to the notion which you have
of honor. With many it is nothing but a
blind impulse prepared to resent an insult
This is rashness. With some honor is ro.
stricted for the most part to single point, Of
being quick and implacable under resent.
mcnts. 10 be a man of honor is to stand
always with drawn sword, ready to fight
upon the least provocstion. True courage
is made to take the place of charity, not
only in covering multitude of sins, but id
being the substitute for every other virtue
This is the honor which underlies this feel.
ing in many in our State, By what princi,
pie have you, gentlemen, adopted your
notions Of honor? We are all men of hon.
orr With some man may de6le anotier's
wife, get drunk, sell his vote, refuse to pay
his business debts, without tainting his hon.
or; but gentlemen are obliged to pay debts
Of honor'-all such as are contracted in
play. Is ho not man of honor who is
ready to resent aiEronts and ready to demand
and to give a gentleman satisfaction upon
all proper occasions! Assuming this as the
rule, man. can ruin tradesman, break faith
with ones Swn vile, cheat the public, cui
a mans throat, if he in all points sustain this
character of honor and gallantry. Honor
among infidels is like honesty among pirates
something confined to themselves, to THEN
own fraternity, while they may fight other
men. The young man must be constantly
on his guard against this fictitious principle
against these mistaken notions Of honor. |,