The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-17
STEVENSON AT TUSCALOOSA.
The Vice Presidents Address Heard
by n Large Audience.

ny n Large Audience.
Tuscaloosa, Ala, June 16-Vice Presi-
dent Stevenson, who delivered the annual
Grafton before the society of the alumni of
the University of Alabama to-day, was
greeted by the largest audience ever as
sembled in Clark hall. Congressman Stall
ings, presiden. of the society, presided, and
DR.. b. +. Meek of the university, intro
duced the orator. Mr.. Stevenson was re-
ceived with great enthusiasm and his adj
dress produced a fine impression.
MT. stevenson, in opening his address,
SAID he counted the honor of being the
guest or the great commonwealth Of Ala
bama as one that cannot be measured by
words. Eulogizing her great resources, her
history and her traditions, he said: From
no section of the federal union have come
10 the great halls of debate, statesmen
better equipped for the conflict than those
who at every period of her history have so
ably represented Alabama in the national
councils. Within these walls many of the
most gifted sons of the south have receiv-
ed the training-the inspiration which for
% years have made resplended every page
of her history; orators, jurists and states
men whose names and fame are a part of
our national heritage
To-day we are not strangers" cOntin-
ued the Vice President but fellow citi-
zens of a common country. The cOnsti-
tuition Of our fathers unites in bond IN
dissoluble all OF the American states-au
of the American people"
Eulogizing the constitution of the Unit
ed States, Mr.. Stevenson said: In con-
templating its dual character, its distri-
button of powers and especially what eN-
perience has demonstrated to be its per-
feet adaptation to the wants of a free
people, we are struck with admiration at
the wisdom of its founders Is it to be
wondered, he asked, that the greatest
of English statesmen should have de-
clared the American constitution the
most wonderful work every struck off at
a given time from the brain and purpose
of man? -
Eloquently detailing numerous events
connected with the work of formulating
the constitution, with references to the
men engaged in that and other events con-
nected with the history of our country,
the Vice President impressed upon the
young men about to graduate the bound
less possibilities before them, and he said:
Recalling the words of Bastit that the
ogre war costs as much for his diges-
ton as for his meals is it too much TO
believe that in the coming centuries the
potent voice viii be that from university,
rather than from camp and field? Intel
lect, not force, will govern"
Concluding, he said: with the marvel
emulation of wealth, the multiplication
of monster corporations, corruption in the
government of large cities and the influx
of a vicious element into our population
with all these will come questions of as
great moment, and no less difficult solu-
ton, as any whose happy determination
tested the courage and the wisdom of the
she settlement of these great questions
you are to be the factors. 1t will be
yours to stand in the van, and, whatever
dangers may menace faithfully to guard
out and transmit to coming generations
the priceless legacy of free government"