Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1893-04-27
Laying the Corner Ssone of Con
verse College-Gov. Northern
and Gov. Tillman Present.

laying of the corner stone of Con-
verse College, and incidentally the
ceremonies in honor of the first
Senior class of that magnificent
institution. Extensive prepara-
tions had been made, and the occa-
sion exceeded the most sanguine
expectations. The exercises were
began promptly at 10 o'clock on
the picturesque campus. Here the
four classes, each arrayed in vari-
colored costumes, had assembled to
witness the planting of the Senior
class tree and to welcome the
thronging multitude. Falling into
line they marched gracefully back
to the capacious and beautifully
decorated chapel, followed by the
Hampton Guards, who escorted
Gov. Northern and DR.. Winston,
the orator of the occasion, and
Gov. Tillman, and the remaining
distinguished gentlemen compos-
ing gthe Industrial School commit
tee. Every available space was
occupied by the proud spartans.
After an organ solo sTeetly rem
dered, and prayer offered by Rev.
w. A. Rodgers, Gov. Tillman IN a
few we'll chosen and appropriate
words introduced Gov. Northern,
of Georgia. His address on "the
power and influence of an educated
woman" was convincing, forceful.
and pointed. He first showed that
in the earlier years not only was
the education of woman not en-
couraged, but was actually forbid
den. He then traced the history
of public sentiment in regard to
female education, and added "that
the opening up of opportunities
for woman's education equal t.
those given the other sex had been
reserved for the present genera
ton"
He said that the power and in
fuence of woman did not consist
simply in personal charms, for a
woman, according to one author,
possessing nothing out outward
charms, is like a flower without
fragrance, or tree without fruit. f"
Adams says very quantity, but
with equal force that "Beauty is
like an almanac, if it lasts one
year it does we'll" Morteran forci-
bly, insists that "The influence of
the greatest personal beauty unless
supported by force of character is
always short lived"
When Lamartine said, '1here
is a woman at the beginning of
everything great" he meant a wo-
man of soul and intellectual force,
a woman who lived for a purpose,
whose character was a strong fac
tor for good in the home and in
society; who was a benediction to
humanity, an inspiration from
God" eff this be true" the speak
er continued, "the power and in
fuence of woman is not to be ex.
pended in the leading of society
so-called. 1t is not TO be used in
the arena of politics. The woman
WHO makes her home all ideal
home, establishes dominion as
far above the dominion of the
State as mind is above matter, as
immortality is above DEATH"
He concluded by drawing a
parallel between the lives of Absa-
lom and Samuel; the wretched
end of the one was due to the fact
that he had a Goddess mother
Samuel's glorious life was the pro-
duct of pious mothers training.
His closing sentence was: "The
most sacred spot on earth is the
altar about the mothers knee.
Here is the birth place of high
purpose, here is the beginning Of
character, here is the makiig OF
statesmen, the foundation for GOV
ernment, and the building of the
nations"
"Forget Me Not" was sung by
half a dozen young ladies with
touching effect, and then came DR.,
Winston's address.
His theme was, Education the
hope of the South" His presen-
tation of the subject was done in
a masterly manner. He showed
that it was only through the edu-
cation of soil, climate, vegetation,
and the lower animals that the
highest results could be obtained
from them; then how much more