The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1891-1893, 1892-06-01
THE STATE UNIVERSITY.
AHE COM DAY AT
HISTORIC CHAPEL HILL.
The Address Before the AIumni-The
grafton by Col. Wadden and
Other Events of the Day.


Special to State Chronicle.
CHAPEL HILL, May 31.-Alumni
day at the University was a pro-
nounced success, and the attendance
OF alumni and others was large. The
many Improvements of the buildings
and grounds attracted great deal of
attention. They add greatly to appear
ance and comfort. The first event to-
day..was the annual meeting of the board
OF trustees. This was followed by meet
ing of the alumni association, at which
president Charles D. McIver, of the
State normal and industrial school for
girls, delivered the annual address
Ihe earnest cooperation of the alumni
has been powerful factor in the new
development and extension of the Uni
versity. The class of 1882 then held
its decennial reunion.
The chief event of the day was the
oration by Hon. Alfred Nj. Waddell,
OF Wilmington, on the life and charac-
ter of Col. William L. Saunders. 1t
was admirably delivered. THE ad-
dress appears in full on the the third
page of to-day's CHRONICLE.
This evening the orations by repre-
sentatives of the Philanthropic and
Diallectic societies were delivered.
Oratfons by Society Representatives.
The orations by the representatives
of the Dialectic and Philanthropic
literary societies were delivered in
memorial hall before large audience
this evening. The speakers were as
follows: S. F. Austin, of Clayton, a
Phi. His subject was: "Saxon Ideas
in America" He maintained that
every race which has deeply impressed
itself upon the world has been the rep
resentative of some great idea. The
Hebrew was the representative of
purity, the Greek of beauty, the Roman
OF law. the Anglo-Saxon the repre-
sentative of civil and religious liberty.
The mission on Anglo Saxons is to
work out the principles of representa-
ton of the people, which the Creeks
and Romans failed to recognize.
This principle had reached its mature
growth in the American government.
He showed fine mental grasp of great
historical questions.
T.J. Cooper, of Murphey, Di., chose
as subject "Footprints Of Individ-
uals." He said that the works of
great military and political leaders,
in conquests and revolutions, however
transient IN outward manifestation,
are accompanied by permanent, benef-
cent results. The dominion establish
ed by a military chieftain may be
overturned by succeeding generations;
but intelligence will have been diffused,
and the arts of civilization extended.
1t is the duty and the inevitable desti-
ny of people 10 submit to the guild
ance of such men; and that all attem pts
to resist it are futile if not fatal. The
speech was strong tribute to great
geniuses.
Mr., f. C. Harding of Creenville,
Phi, spoke on "The Conflict of For
ces." He said that action and reac.
tion is one of natures strongest laws.
Great movements in all ages, the
greatest revolutions aud reformations
in politics, religion or society have
never been the results of the steady
and unmolested growth of a single
principle, but were the results of con.
flicting forces, the clash of opinions
and the contest of opposing parties
The speech was admirably delivered
and was beautiful in diction as well as
strong and striking in thought.
E. 2. Eller, of Ashe county, Di.
said that institutions are the NANTES
tations Of ideas which struggle for the
mastery and grow into lighter and
more complex forms; because of this
growth they must change and be ad
justed to new conditions. All manu-
factured governments founded upor
mere tneOry must 1all. Inc govern
ment, like all institutions, must be
evolved from the peoples life ant
character. The guarantee of ma
tion's life is its character. The ora
tion was marked by deeI
thought, and was full o
philosophic craftsmanship for Sc
young a speaker. 1t was spoken will
great ease, and marked power.
w. p. Wooten, of LaGrange, Phi.
discussed "The future of Southern
Europe" He maintained that tn,
countries of Southern Europe no lon
ger hold the high rank which the.
once held among the European ma
tions; their population seeming to hav,
degenerated until they have becom
unable to return to their forme
power. A nation to become powerful
in these modern days of progress mus
have popular government and mus
keep its political affairs clear of tn
off icious interference of any church
: | TIL - , G.