The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-03-16
n ANNIvEnsARY GRAFTON.

AsSrvrnsAnr GRAFTON.
~ Upon the 1toenty-Second AnniUer-
seagsH the HernaedR Society, By Charles
Shepard McKensie, Of Carroll county,
Miss, Feb. p, 1871, Oxford, Mss.
LADIES, GENTLEMEN AND MEMBERS OF
THE LITERARY SOCIETIES: Members of the
Literary Societies But whence this change
Why so few! Are these all that are lett OF
the two hundred who gathered around this
stand one year ago? What electric shock
has withered the flourishing vine? No ia
tai malady has visited us here, thus to leave
our ranks but the shadow of its former self.
It is true that in the providence of an ALI
wise Ruler few of those who entered upon
this contest with us are no more. Johns,
Coffee, Barton, Hicks and Bridges, wrapt in
the GOLD embrace OF ueaJn, are sleeping that
long sleep whence none awake till summon
ed to that spirit land TO us so Incompetent
sible, so strange. Their cheerful faces
whose every shade of expression was ia
miliar to us from association, will never
again greet us in the recitation room, where
together we shared the pride and shame
consequences OF success and failure, nor
around these banners beneath whose folds
they fought so well. y
We loved them. but they are gone. Nav
the earth press light above them! May each
returning spring bring out her green car
pet, and the myrtle and ivy, pruned by the
loving hands OF mothers and sisters, Irvine
their tendrils around and above them!
ssLike the dew on the mountain.
Like the foam on the river,
Like the bubble on the fountain,
They are gone, and foreverl'
But this accounts not for this wonderful
change. Can 1T be that the pernicious spir-
il of intolerance, which breathes its venom
Unfortunately, and perhaps unconscious
ly upon friend and foe, not satisfied to gorge
itself upon the voluptuous feasts which the
pollution of the day spreads before it in the
outside world, has found its way into our
sequestered groves, there to dry up the pure
fountains and sap the young plants? Alas
it is too true. They have attempted to
desecrate her affairs, and tarnish her fair
fame.
But my feelings are as much enlisted for
the welfare OF our Alma Mater in these
times of her severest trials as in the palmi-
est days of her prosperity. And sanguine
that these troubled clouds will soon blow
over, and clear sky beam upon prosper
ing Institution, my words will flow from a
heart as full as though we stood in the acme
of our glory. There are some pleasures,
however, of which we have not been de-
prived; and we are here to-day to enjoy one
of them.
We have assembled together-not as the
Heathens, who in extended throngs at the
solemn hour of midnight awaited the return
OF some strange phenomenon in the firma-
ment which they would herald as the har-
binger of joy; for that is where Divine rev.
elation has not diffused its light through
the minds of men mot as the Greeks, who
gathered their choicest gifts and precious
gems to Strew around their marble statues
and invoke blessings from the cold, dead
stone; for that was when idolatry spread
out its sable mantle and shut out the light
of true religion nor have we come to make
our floral Offering, and strew the pathway
of the queen of Love and Beauty" with
flowers; for that is in the spring-time, when
the gentle zephyrs are breathing the breath
of life into dead nature, and waking from
their slumber through the long, cold winter,
those fruits and flowers which make that
season OF the year so pre-eminently beau
tiful.
But we, the sons of the University of
Mississippi, have met simply to bring fresh
before our minds the day on which our be-
loved Hermean Society was organized-tO
lay our offerings of love and devotions at
the feet of him who has given us for our
motto, AntOttd Senapiternd Conjuncti But
our aged friends and instructors, ever rea-
dy to encourage by their presence and lead
by their example, render holy the occasion
and fair ladies, whose smiles ofapproyal are
like the whisperings of the Muses.. beautifv
and embellish it. And your humble speak
er, feeling that he has derived both pleasure
and benefit from association with his fellow
students; valuable lessons of experience
from the circle of society with which he
has been so long connected, and knowledge
and golden words OF instruction from his
Will unger WlUn you strengthening Vour
resolutions to do good-fostering PRINCIPLES
of truth and honor, and persuading YOU to
cultivate habits of reflection while young
We are told that men become wise only
by their own experience. / am bold enough
to assert this Is not necessarily so. Why not
profit by the experience of others-those
who have already met the mighty enemies
that rise up and twine their treacherous
arms around us, upon our first entrance in
to active, busy life? There This tolls stand
out like beaeon-lights along the rugged
coast OF life, 70 guide the wanderer around
the rocks and shoals safely into port They
tell as that upon the discipline we give the
mind--upon our decision as to the course Of
conduct we intend to pursue, and the reso-
luton with which we enter upon that
course, depend our after lives.
1t Is for us to mark out our pathway over
the sleeps and breaks of truth and Justice
planting our standard upon the proud emf
nence of honor and morality, and when we
haYefoaght the battle of life, and its sun is
slowly sinking into the valley of old age,
have the mellow radiance reflect peace and
happiness from the good we have done or
1t is for US, yielding TO temptation, tickle In
every undertaking, to move straight for
ward in the broad way that leads to the goal
easier of access, and at last go down, with
out the worlds having been benefited by
our having lived in it--without one ray of
consolation or encouragement, arising from
the dishonorable trail of our career-to fill
a Gostdrds grave who had not the courage
to be q man.
Observation has taught. me- that quick
cno1ce, nckleness, and want of that inward
monitor which says to us, - be patient and
work on are the obstacles which bar men
rom success; while due reflection as to the
position we are best adapted TO fill untiring
energy, and unbending resolution, are the
great sIepplng,ston TO the confidence of
the people, and to positions of honor
Like the precious gems and varia.l ,,er-
chandize.cast by wild waves upon the strand
near which some richly freivhted argosv
has been wrecked. are the spoils won he re-
Election, and stored in the exalted regions IF
the mind, when the tumultuons passions
which Occasioned the conflict are eafmed.
Gleanings from the monuments of the
past ought to teach us how tenderly, eyery
moment, we should guard our characters;
for just as some beautiful mineral. perfectly
magnificent, so long as it is allowed to re-
main In Its primitive state, deep down In the
crystal bed, is furnished by single raw of
light never TO shine with its original brill
1ancy, or as q delicate plant ia scared bv
one kiss of the northern breeze. never to re-
gain its original freshness, so one dishonor-
able act tinges character, and it never re-
covers its pristine purity.
See that old man with head bowed down.
and step unsteady There are deep wriD-
kles across his aged forehead, and his dis
torted cOuntenance tells as that remorse of
conscience Is knawing at theEarF strings of
MS Vitality. Perhaps there Is still one lin
caring glance from hts eye of q once bril-
isn't mtellect. Ask him why that awful
look o. despair ard the very demon har-
rowing up bis soul, vim answer, that one
moment Of bis liia, ono little incidsnE, one