The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-08-18
Capt. w. ID. Mars's Speech.


We will now hear from a gentleman who
was graduated at this college many years ago.
lie is known to the older Of our citizens,
while he is not Il stranger To those Of US who
are YOUNGER. His excellent education, and
his large and varied experience in the practi-
cal affairs OF life, emincntly fit him for The po-
sition of Representative, Capt. w. u. Mars.
Mr.. Mars then said:
LnIicS uu! Gentlemen:
My time being limited hardly know where
to begin, but having bccn educated here, and
having graduated here lhrty-fuur years ago
strange emotions fill my heart when look q
thirdot 4 century back. My CLASSMATES are
scattered. Some are dead, and some arc still
llNins widely apart, and Milling stations OF
greater or less importance to the church and
the country. Death has invaded tho ranks OF
my respected teachers. prS. Gricr PRESLEY
and ll"mphill have finished their work.
Their days OF usefulness arc gone, but We
have their noble example, and The sweet frat
GRANGE that fingers around the memory OF tho
Saintru dead.
IN connection with these good men, I would
say word or two of DR.. Bonner and his dear
good wife, both of whom all loved. lie WAS
in his manhood then. 1t WAS To his energy,
his sa"lcily, and his public spirit that The
people" Abbcrillc county arc indebted for
the splendid female college which stands so
near TO this hail. The fuunding'Of such an in
Stiluion iShnno. enough for any man who has
ever lived. lie did his duty and he did ii
well. lie sleeps, "by all his country's wishes
bIr>t.'
This is the first time that have gone out to
Src The people. In one sense Of the word, |
ah ont TO ask The people for their votes. /
speak in Il general way. / don't go to indi-
vidu;llS and ask their votes. II such II course
were necessary should decline to become Il
candidate, hut cannot he elected without
vocrS. 1t is for the people to say whether
shall receive enough To elect me-.
When was graduated from this Hall felt
that was an educated man, hut in after life.
learned that such WAS not the case. | had
only the basis of an education. 1t Is the con-
ilictS OF life that clur:tte man. Conflicts
make man wil:lt ever he Is, but the history
OF the past describes an evcnttul period of
our existence. Since ! graduated from this
place, We have had war, death, the loss Of
property. and the overthrow of the long cS-
tabiishrd principles Of government. But
despite oar poverty ana proSiratioD, enter
priScs of I'LL kinds have gone On at u rapid
rate. ls;lilrOadS and tclrgraphs have been
built. New towns ANA now sci 'i!lrncnlS have
Hli uh" unin what were formerly waste places,
anu ilr whole country H. alive with ilr activ-
NY AMI hustle nG trade, and commerce, and
travel This IL ilc result OF brain :tIt mlI::-
cit'. li"t"rc the war we were rich, and the de-
iarId nl"'n our brains and hands WAS never
hattie Hence i'll our poverty We progress,
Wlirrc wr rluTd still in our wealth.
don't know much of what is cail",l the
'"l.armcfS Hnvcmeht.' although | have been
Il farmer for thirty years. Every pursuit and
every caiiin. in life in fact al pcUDIc depend
upon the t:trnicr ~ the fountain head whence
comes all prosperity. II tho farming interests
w:tnc, ;,li else goes down. ! think the farmers
hav" il"I had II fail representation IN The al
fairs OF t;ir government. but il is their own
fiH:!. They havC received as much rs they
EaE" ;'h,'.t In.
j ''Ci"'y" !."%tHtc University .itiiil he &O,i-
lu pay iH'il"n, thc% should i,r required to tlr
~. liut ii too I'"ur 10 do su, tuition should he
yivrn Tree. Who knows the possibilities OF
the lo0r boy small hc hc refused admission