The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-21

illustrates in remarkable degree the power and in
nuence of the human will rightly directed. From
in feature diminutive in size, without education,
fortune, or friends he threw himself upon his own
ner, he began TO accumulate means. These
he prontably disposed OF and continued to increase
the prosecution OF the mercantile business accord
ing. to his preconceived plans. While in
Of the Delaware, and in the midst of the
budding beauties OF our lovely Nav MONTH lust
Phlladelphia-an event full Of interest TO the then
miant city. Ninety-two years ago when the city
possessed population OF 10000 inhabitants, and
nearly all its business transacted along the east
ern 'front.' between Vine street and Pine street. north
and and south and between the Delaware river and
Third street west; when Front street was the great
market for all kinds Of goods sold by wholesale and
Second street from Arch TO Chestnut streets was also
place OF great resort for goods. To live then as far
west as Seventh street to reside quite out OF the
city; while the locality OF the college was 80 far out
in the country, beyond the city limits as to make
days Journey on loot necessary to reach and return
from IT,
What a cnapter Of interest we could here introduce
did time permit the consideration of the subject of
the connection of stephen Girard with the develop
ment OF TINS CITY, He saw upon his first visit its ad-
vantages and with characteristic promptitude seized
the opportunity to make judicous investments; the
result is before us at this moment in sublime reality
Girard accumulated wealth his example stimulated
others; those Ground him grew rich: he bought and
improved estates, and in doing this enhanced the
value of those around him the city grew and became
great, and it is now privilege and duty TO give an
expression of gratitude to the Giver of all good that
the sails OF the young mariner were directed towards
the obscure port OF Philadelphia in the wear A. d.
1TI7. lie sought TO find i'm il a home; he lived and
died its great benefactor.
Those who have been the contemporaries OF
stephen Grard have doubtless heard his name fire.
quentlY associated with stories OF the rigdty with
which he required compliance with all his contracts
in the different departments Of trade commerce and
finance in v hich he so extensively engaged; but
they knew little or nothing of the snares and traps
that designing men placed in his path. IL was the
unceasng watchfulness Of Mr.. Grard and his acute
perceptions of the dangers to which disobedience OF
nN fl,afV 10 IA
things
While glancing thus briefly at some of the most
strongly marked peCuarties of Mr. Girard's Charac-
ter we would be wanting in a full appreciation OF
its scope we were TO omit allusion to what we have
always felt to be grand feature in the creation of
the cOHege. lie knew from observation and eXpe-
rience that the happiness and prosperity of a people
depend mainly upon love of country and the in
culcaton OF habits OF honesty, sObriety and truth
funess, and that these principles should be taught
in youth, when the mind is plastic and impressible.
into society, through the medium of an educational
institution, in which should be taught "facts and
things rather than words or signs and where by
every proper means pure attachment to our re-
publican institutions and to the sacred rights OF
science as guaranteed by our happy constitutions,
scholar"
When he had fully completed the bright and beau
tlful plan of the college, he said: SIT is my desire
that all the instructors and teachers in the college
shall take pains to inst into the minds of all the
scholars the purest principles OF morality that on
their entrance into active life they may, from in
clnatiOn and habit evinCe benevo,ence towards their
fellow creatures, and love Of truth, sobriety and
industry, adopting at the same time such religious
tenets as their matured reason may enable them to
prefer"
Gentlemen, may l not be permitted in these crudey
arranged closing remarks to suggest to you con-
tinued special attention to the points of character
Mr. Girard so particularly designated essential to
the full success Of his comprehensive plan of col
lege for your benefit? His industry, economy, and
sobriety are worthy your closest imitation, while in
the love he bore his adopted country and in his
fidelity to the interests of the community in which he
lived, he is a model indeed
The Anniversary Hymn.
The exercises were brought to a close by the sing
ing of an anniversary hymn to the tune of 'Home-
ward Bound, written and dedicated to the Alumni
by President Allen, as follows:-
Home of our youth Alma Mater again
Thy children come;
Weld the strong links of our Brotherhood's cham,
And greet our home.
Teachers and friends, ye who pointed our way
Up where the path of integrity lay,
Taught us of duty the law to obey;
To you we come
Friend of the orphan, thy memory dear
To bless come;
Drop thy tombstone tial tear;
Thou mad'st our home;
Pledge to each other with heart, hand and head.
Smile on the living, and mourn for our dead
Garland the of our patriots who bled;
Come. Brothers, come.
n. B.-Those portions of the will of Mr.. Girard
which relate to the College will be found published
! on our inside pages.