The news & observer., 1896-12-12

this institution. May We all be worthy
of his confidence.
Mr.. j. H. Southgate spoke for tue
trustees His speech was a gem Of feel
ing and wisdom. Mr., Duke is product
of Durham county soil He has made
his own fortune by hard struggles and
patient faith in the triumph of manhood.
The speaker told of how he had talked
with Mr. Duke about his opportunity
70 10 good by helping Trinity College, and
Of the great feeling that that gentleman
had shown in the education of the boys
and girls in this State. This donation
speaks for that sympathy. Mr.. Duke
has risked his immortality on the boys
and girls Of North Carolina. He is a
prophet for the welfare of the race. This
gift broadens the foundations of Trinity
College Other Methodists will have
confidence in us. We shall get gifts
until within ten years we shall have
most likely million dollars. There will
be no more sneering at Trinity. She is
now where she may defy her enemies.
Let me say this: The life Of this in
stitution is the highest type in the State.
With increased means it will surpass
anything in the South
After this a procession was formed and
the crowd marched to the residence Of
Mr.. w Duke Here Mr.. p. V. Ander-
son expressed to Mr.. Duke the gratitude
of the college students for MS magnificent
gift. The boys then gave the following
yells, which were prepared for the 0cca
sion:
"Rah! Rah! Rah! Rahl Rah! Rah!
Rah! Rah! Rah! Duke"
"Rah! Rahl Rah! Hip poo pee
Washington Duke and Triniteer
"Hobble gobble, razzle dazzle-fz, boom.
bah,
Duke and Kilgo, Rah! Rah! Rah
After each yell proper, the crowd gave
the rebel yell-and it was never gwen
with more zeal since the days OF Apo
mattox. This was the first time these
yells have been used at Trinity, but it
not is likely to be. the last. Three cheers
were given for Mr.. Duke and three more
for DIR. Kilgo
Mr.. Duke was then called on for
speech. He said, with much feeling: II
do not usually make speeches; but
will say this: / have been striving all
my life to do something that would make
the world better for my having lived. |
have now accomplished about all l can
do for it, and it now deyolves on you
to do what remains to be done. / leave
you, young men, to do the balance"
After the crowd had filed through the
hall where they all received a hearty
hand-shake from the genial old gentle
man, they repaired to the residence OF
Mr.. b. N. Duke. That gentleman had
retired and asked to be excused The
boys gave the same yells with great
earnestness, and then marched back to
the campus, where an immense bonfire,
twenty-five feet high, was lighted on the
athletic grounds. With great, good
pleasure all stood around until the pile
had burned. AS that began to fade
rockets took its place and the scene be-
came again lighted with glad fires Of re-
joicing. Two drums and the whistle OF
the power house helped to enliven the
scene 1t was glad occasion and all
entered into it in the greatest freedom
At II o'clock Mr., High, the manager
OF the dynamo, gave 'the wink" and
fifteen minutes later lights were out
Soon everything had become quiet and
one realized that without the least dis
order everybody had had a good time and
not a Jar had occurred. A freshman
was seen to break into a most meaning
smile when he overheard a professor
say: "How about lessons tomorrow? p
The condition of Mr.. Dukes gift is that
girls shall be admitted This condition.
meets the approval of the faculty. and
Of course of the students. What the
trustees viii do is not known, but no
one here seems to doubt that the college
will be opened to women.