The Oxford falcon. [volume] (Oxford, Miss.) 1865-18??, 1866-08-09

these young men, upon whom will
soon devolve the preservation and
promotion of the interests of society.
who are here for the purpose of being
qualified for these high responsible.
ties. and for entering successfully up
on The practical duties of life.
The picture which 1 have hastily
and imperfectiy skelched of the con-
dition of our affairs is sad indeed and
discouraginE. but not altogether hope
less; and if we are to be excluded
from the national councils as political
iepers. and from all paFticipa,ionsin
the government except 10 bearing its
burdens, by those who would neither
permit US to remain with them IN
safety por to separate from them in
peace, let as a. least not be made the
instruments of our cwp dishonor and
degradation, but LEI US preserve our
manhood unsullied, submitting with
dignity and patience to ills we cannot
avert, and only the more earnestly
devoIing our energies to the develop.
ment of our resources, and the adj
vancement of our local interests. We
have indeed lost much, but we have
not lost all. There are indestructible
revenues which God has given US
moral and material, the value of
which cannot be estimated, and which
have survived the wreck of our for
tunes, and the rapine and ravages of
war. We have still the same blessed
sky bending over US, with its alterna-
ton of sunshine and shower, the
same generous soil around US waiting
TO GROVE again the labOrs of our iu-
dustry with its plenteous rewards, and
whose grand staple. through all the
vicissitudes of war and peace, is still
the undisputed "klDg of commerce"
and is at this very moment the greaI
regulator of the national currency
We have still our undeveloped and
inexhaustible mineral resources oil
infinite variety aud value; the same
unriValled facilities for manufacture
ing; and now that slave labor, thai
insuperable barrier to the introduction
of foreign labor, no longer exists
there is no conceivable reason why
with our unequaled water power au(
our abundance and cheapness of fue
and food, the South should not. as
believe it will, become the grea
manufacturing centre of the globe
and the more vigorously we apply ouI
industry IN that direction, the soone
will we become indepe ndent of op
pressive export duties by establishing
our market at our own doors. r.
And, moreover, as Southern capita
must now seek new forms of invest
ment, and we can no longer follow tn
infatuated policy of subjeCIing our
selves to privaIion and toll that W
might conform to the established rou
tine of making cotton, 10 get money
to buy negroes only TO make NOR
cotton, TO purchase more negroes; an
as the planter, (or perhaps farmef'I
now a more appropriate term wi
not in his curtailed operations requir
such large bodice of land asawer
heretofore necessary. may we not hol
that our surplus means, cOmparativel
small though they may be, will be eA
pended in q manner that will contrib
ute far more than did our forme
abundance TO the development Of a
our resources, moral aud material, j
diversifying our industry and rebdeI
ing US more self-sustainipg as PEI
pie; 10 ornamenIing and beautifyin
our country with the evidences of lasf
and culture; in rendering our home
more lovely aud attractive; in PRONE
Ting our moral and intellectual a,
grundizement, and inducing uslO see
for happiness in its higher and mol
enduring sources than in the mere a
oumulauon of wealth. And if "
ourselves have to become the sons al
daughters of toll, earning our brea
in the sweat of our face, instead
repining and responding, let US
earnest and cheerful, feeling th
there is a dignity in labor, a practic
independence aud self-approval whi'
wealth cannot purchase, or oppressi'
Legislation destroy.
Especially upon you, young gsntl
men, | feel that / cannot TOO earnest
impress the thought that it is upon
Dor, patient,FpersisteR labor you mt
depend, not only for proficiency
your studies, and reputable poslti
in your classes here. but for any 81
cess you may hope TO achieve herea
ter in any of the pursuits of life. II
trite maxim, "tabOr Vincit onsntG,"
one the truth Of which has been {
, tested throughout all time and in ev
ry department of human enterpri;
and it is one that is to you now
paramount significance. Those amp
, resources upon which you have be
) accustomed to rely in your anticiT
lions of the future as enabling "
perchance. to lead life of indOlen
and ease, have been swept away, a
you have been thrown suddenly a
} rudely into the stream of life, and Ii
i TO contend comparatively nnaiaed vi
! is surging waters. gan sd
} Perhaps It is best for you that
should be so, tor poverty, as f
writer remarks, lie bat as the pain
l piercing a maiden's ear, when y
$ hang precious jewels in the WOUND