The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1889-06-20

aboundiug in interest; prcsenta
study commanding the most as
siduous attention; and demand
a jealous devotion worthy the
highest of human effort and hu-
man aims. In the brief space
oftime allotted to an Alumni
Address ii were futile TO attempt
more than a suggestive sketch
OF the expansive field which
you have been invited to look
upon. To do even this will levy
perhaps too great a contribution
upon your time and forbearance.
But the nature of the subject
demands that we look hack up
on the very cradle of the now
portiy matron whose life history
we wish TO contemplate and into
whose future we wish to peer.
And it is quite likely that while
I am relating the story of her
humble birth and simple life,
some of her younger sons may
smile with derisiOn and ever
lose proper filial regard for their
literary ancestress. But let them
despise not the day of small
things. Why, was once a baby
my self. ] make this statement
upon the authority Of my mo-
ther aud my nurse, two compe-
tent and creditable witnesses,
whose testimony cannot be sue
cessfully controverted, however
much present appearances ma. 7
seem to be against them. And
you shall have equally conclu-
sive proof if it is wanted that
that this College, this queen OF
science and Of letters seated up
on her throne of knowledge, BE-
decked with her crown Of hon-
or, adorned with her sparkling
Jewels Of truth and virtue, hold
ing sway over a domain stretch
ing from the shores Of the Ches-
apeake to the borders of the
Gulf, and from the Atlantic to
the rolling prairies that lie be-
yond the Father of Waters, and
governing with her lnigic wand
OF affection her thousands of
loyal subjects, was once an hum
BILE rustic maiden, Or to drop the
metaphor and speak the plain
truth-was once a. "backwoods
school"
From this point he briefly
traced the history of the Col
lege from its origin as d prima-
ry school house i'll 1888, with
Rev. B. York as teacher, through
all Of its stages Of growth and
progress as Union Institute, Nor
NAL College and Trinity College
1t was chartered as Normal Col
Iege in 1850 and as Trinity Col
lege in 1859. The first class
graduated in 1858. The college
became the property of the n
c.. Conference, NJ. E. Church
South, about 1857 or 1858. TC
the late lamented DR.. Craven
the real founder Of the College
he paid this tribute: "The eye
dims, the heart swells, the
tongue falters as that name OF
blessed memory calls for utter
aDce, and | fain would avoid i
lest I mightnot pronounce with
becoming reverence. But coul(
there have been an Iliad with
out a Homer ? Could there hav'
been a temple without a Solo
mon? Could there have beer
. flowers without sunshine? Coul(
there have been love without .
heart? Could there be a univers
without a God? Then ther
could have been no Trinity Col
lege without a Braxton Craven
, But he needs no feeble words o
= praise from me. His works j.
follow him; and the power o
his intellect, the glory of hi
!, life, and the grandeur Of hi
achievements will live in thei
| impress upon the future as lon
r as learning shall have frien6
truth an Admire, or ambition
. devotee. Brethren, we love
= him because we knew he love
, us, and our tongues will cleav
/ TO the roofs our mouths and ou
: right hands VIII forge. thei
} cunning ere we shall cease
T cherish that name of all name
, dearest to us as -Grinitarian:
, Let us emulate his virtues, 70
t low his precepts and honor hi
!, memory. If the spirits of th
i departed are allowed to com
r back to earth and the cherishe
, objects of this life can divid
: the joys of heaven, it were n
l idle fancy to say that his spir
5 is present with us at this m'
ment, and as we behold it wit
e the eye Of faith let us greet
/ in the language of the gres
Italian poet, when be met til
l instructor of his youth, in IL
t realms of shade:
: Oh, never from the memory of II
s heart
4 Your dear paternal image shall d
t part,
Who While on earth, ere yet by dea
j, surprised,
"a Taught me how mortals are immC
u taliZed;
+. How grateful am / for that patie
d care,
a All my life long my language sh;