The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1881-06-16

Vance on Sore Throats.

At Trinity College commen cement, at
the evening session Gov Vance was
called out, and made rollicking speech
which IS thus reported By Col. Cara
way, of the OJserrer:-
After Dr. Mercer, the band struck
up Dixie, when it was discovered that
Governor Vance was present; aud as he
was being escorted to the rostrum,
rounds of applause told but too well
how this honored son of North Carolina
is apps eciated and live in their hearts.
The band hushed its melodies strains
and joined in the applause
After loud and repeated calls Cover
nor Vance advanced to the stand, where
some manuscript was lying, and said:
Il do not know what better | can do
appropriate the manuscript now before
me. | have just come from Washing
ton, place where they say appropria-
tlons are made, and appropriated, be-
lleve. Had | known that | should have
been called on tonight to make a
speech | should certainly have had the
sore throat. And let me say to you
young gentlemen who intend entering
the political arena, that the sore throat
is one OF the most convenient ailments
for politicians to have. No we'll regu-
lated family should be without one case.
However, it always gives me pleasure
to talk, and | expect to rejoice just
about as much in the noise that this old
throat of mine makes as any one in the
country. The whole country is pros
porous, and the prosperity is not the
kind friend Of mine once had. He
became SO suddenly prosperous that he
got scared and asked tor the prayers of
the church. Ours is not that kind; it
needs no praying for. have never
seen SO much prosperity. The song of
the ploughman is heard in the field !;
the sickle is about to enter the golden
grain; long rows Of cotton are checking
the land with living green the ring Of
the hammer is heard in the workshop );
the hum of wheels is heard in the fac
tories, and new houses all indicating
that new era is upon us. Nothing
shows 1t more than the schools, and
this is as it should be. By geometrical
progression in ten years this will be
another country. | am not old yet, but
J expect to live to see this grand old
school have from 800 to 1000 pupils
The schoolmaster is abroad in the land,
and there is no doubt about it. The
government is taking an interest in it,
selling the public lands and devoting
the money to the cause of education.
And, friends, | am truly sorry that
North Carolina will get more than her
share, for it is to be divided according
to the illteracy of the people. This is
the first time in the history of the
country, that the Tar Heels ever got
the best of the government, but we will
take it. The Legislature is evincing a
great interest in it, and in few years a
wave will sweep away all the isms, from
Bob lngersolism to Devilism. 1t will
be universal education. even to our
African brother of American scent
But the first thing l know l will be
making a speech. (Cries of ''go on" J
1t is vastly easier to say ''go on than
it is to go, especially when you have
nothing to say. But ] have a charge
to make against this institution. | in
tended to make it tomorrow, but |
will do it now, and thereby save time.
DR.. Craven wrote me at Washington
two weeks ago. to come to the com
mencement, kind of family like invi-
tation ''te be with us. answered that
| would take great pleasure in being
present and witnessing the performance
And what is the next thing hear? [
find my name on the programme, to de-
liver the 9th annual address to the two
societies here tomorrow. | am here,
but | don't know what [ shall say until
tomorrow. If had time | could have
an Grafton that would do credit to my
self You all know can do those sort
of things, when | have hankering
that way However, l shall try to de-
liver few broken remarks on philoso-
ply, politics and religion, but not
enough politics and religion to hurt
anybody. ! must stop or | won't have
anything left for tomorrow, or in other
words, as they told me when boy, you
can eat your cake and have it too.