The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1875-05-26

whose value will more fully appear when
the Cheraw and Chester Road has been
completed. To reach .Cheraw will be
through its connections to unite the
mountains and the seaboard.
GOVERNOR CHAMBERLAIN AND TIE Stu
DENTs.-The Due West Presbyterian pub
fishes the following letter of Governor
Chamberlain, in response to the invita-
ton to address the students of Erskine
College, at Due West:
DEcLINE.-By request of the Commit
tee Of Correspondence, we publish let
ter from Governor Chamberlain, declin-
ing the invitation to deliver the anni-
versary address before the literary socie-
ties Of Erskine College. The invitation,
we are sure, was prompted by the best
Of motives. Governor Chamberlain has
belonged to party that have not the
sympathy of the white people of South
Carolina; but since his election to the
Governors chair he has shown himself
to be above petty party influences, and
has ruled to the satisfaction Of the better
classes of all colors in the State. He
makes good and acceptable Governor.
He is acknowledged to be q gentleman of
culture and fine speaker. Hence our
people would have welcomed him at
commencement cordially. His letter
declining the invitation and assigning
reasons for it contains other matter that
will be of interest. The reason assigned
for declining the invitation is regarded
here as good one, and the whole letter
shows the Governor in good light. We
publish it with pleasure:
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, May 10, 1875.
GENTLEMEN: Your pleasant and plea
sanity conveyed invitation to me in be-
half of the PhilomatheanL Literary Society
OF Erskine College, to address the lite
rary societies of that institution on the
approaching commencement, July 7, has
been received.
1t would be pleasure which I should
greatly enjoy, and n duty which should
readily accept, to deliver such On nd-
dress, if it were not for the fact that I
am now under previous engagement to
perform similar service, on the 3Oth of
June, at Yale College, my alma mater.
assure you that it il not n merely formal
regret which I now express. in saying
TINT if the two occasions had been pre-
sented ut the same time, should have
accepted yours. There are many things
which, in the peculiar situation of our
State and people, should have hoped
to say, which might tend to tho peace,
happiness and hopefulness of my fellow
citizens. By this do not mean our local
politics-far from it. Such occasions
should be sacred from the approach of
anything savoring of the party politics
Of the day, unless it be some discussion
Of the great common principles which
underlie oil government and hold to-
gether human society itself But I
should have tried particularly to impress
upon those whom I should have nd-
dressed the incalculn'1.' importance, Mt
this juncture, of deep AMI true scholar
lship. BY scholarship, moan familiarity
with the recorded product of the world 8
thought and action. Than this, nothing
can be more essential to broad and wise
views Of present events and duties. No
occasions call more loudly for those in
fluences which scholarship md culture
con alone furnish than when "the times
are out of joint" True cntholicity of
mind, true liberality Of life, are to be
gained by resort to those vast treasures
which constitute the learning of the
world. The true scholar is the truest
man. He is patient in adversely because
he is in thought and feeling the compa-
Illou Vi OOCfuLeS anu dalllleO. lie is un-
daunted by the mockings of changing
fortune because he remembers Aristides
and Erasmus. He is hopeful and enter
prising in pursuit of truth because he
lives in the company of those who Ia
bored TO hasten results which they knew
they would not themselves witness. This
is the spirit of scholarship-reysrent
recipient, docile on the one hand- d-@bold,
hopeful, far-sighted on the othaf- -bui
always generous and helpful to all. 'Can
any qualities be better suited to this day
in South Caroline? Can her SONS bring
to her service better gifts than these?
1t would be great privilege to endea-
vor to enforce and illustrate these
thoughts tofa sympathizing audience,
such as your commenc cement would fur
Inish, Int Lmpst not attempt it now. !
sat down, indeed, merely to thank you,
| and to tell you why cannot serve. you
on the TIN Of July. At all other timed,
and in all ways within my power, I am,
very truly, your friend and servant,
| 8'.N7'- D. H CHAMBERLAIN.
To ,Messrs. w. H. MILtEN, w. O.
CocHRAN, D. G. McG1LL, Committee.
The old maids of Athens met in con.