Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1891-06-10
ANNUAL GRAFTON.
j. @. Alexander, Of Mississippi,
at the University.
He Delivers An Interesting Address On
the Social Problems of the
Present Day.

representative citizens 10 witness the
commencement exercises at the Uni
versity last night. Services were
opened with prayer by DR.. Bunting,
and DIR. Her5man introduced j. G.
Alexander, of Mississippi, who was
chosen to deliver the annual address
before the literary societies. The
speaker said that he was IA stranger
to many of the young men present
and that he felt somewhat cmbar-
rassed in addressing them. lie said
by way of introduction that the
young men to whom his discourse
was directed were there in dress pa
rade, and that they would receive
their marching orders to-day. There
were dangers of both church and
State confronting them, and the
question presented itself, "Is there
any standpoint from which they
may all be viewed ?' Americans
were much given to Boosting. They
talk about their glorious country and
they contemplate the increase in
wealth and population. Whenever
there is an increase in luxury there is
corresponding increase in pauper-
ism. Few are piling up colossal for
tunes, while others are growing poor.
He then alluded to the social up
heaval in Europe and thought he
could see the waves of socialism,
communism and kindred isms
breaking 0n the shores Of liberty
loving and free America. THESE re-
marks led him up to a comprehen-
Sive discussion of the great social
problems Of the hour and at last into
the race question. His views are
sound on both questions and stamp
him "a Jeffersonian Democrat. He
said that between the honest black
man and the honest white
man there would never be
any race question to settle. He
alluded to the race riots in his
native State, and said that, in many
instances he regretted to admit, hi
own people were to blame. He
thought pistol carrying was greater
meancc to society than the race ques
ton. He had no language strong
enough to express his contempt for
the young man who regards his
toilet incomplete without his pistol
in his hip pocket. His closing re
marks on this line were pointed and
catching and the audiense showed
its appreciation by frequent applause.
The effort upon whole was good
one and elected much favorable
comment from the large audience.
At the close of the speech Rev. G
w. Patterson explained that the by
laws of the Alumni Association
adopted last June provided for the
election of honorary members and
that j. G. Alexander, who had just
addressed them had been elected an
honorary member of the association.
lie also said that Rev. Jno. r.. Hern-
don, OF Nashville, had been chosen
as annual orator. This gentleman
was then introduced and read an
original poem dedicated to the
Alumni Association of the S. w. =.
University.
DIR. Handley, of Birmingham, then
in an amusing manner delivered the
medal in the Society contest of Mon
day night. After holding the boys
in suspense for about five minutes he
announced that the medal had been
awarded to +. II. Graves, of Georgia.
The award was greeted with a ire
mendOus applause. Mr.. Graves is
popular, fine speaker and won the
medal over some Of the best talent in
the University. The benediction was
pronounced by DIR. Nall and the au-
dience was dismissed.
EX ERClSES TODAY.
The exercises at the S. w. p. L.
this morning were quite pleasant and