Birmingham state herald., 1896-06-17
STEVENSON 10 THE ALUMNI A Magnificent Tribute to Ala
 bama's University. THE NURSERY OF STATESMEN The Fame of Her Soas Is Written on Her Ey-
 l''A RINGING WOES TO THE GRADUATES
  The Vice F : dent Held Levee at Night Prior 'S is Departure for the East.
 0 Features of Great
 Occasion.
THE NURSERY OF STATESMEN
The Fame of Her Sces Is Written on Her Ey-
RINGING wogs TO THE GRADUATES

Tuskaloosa, June 16-(Specia1.)-At the alumni banquet today Hon. Jesse Stall- ings, congressman from the Second dis trict and president of the Alumni associa- tion, responded to the toast of "The Uni versity and Her Sons" in so eloquent a manner as to carry off the laurels of the occasion.
 Hon. Joseph F. Johnston shared the honors of the banquet with Vice Presi- dent Stevenson.
 Congressman Bankhead who has the courage of his convictions and is true to them, was shown by his friends special honors.
 MT. John W. Tomlinson and MT. J. Asa Rountree occupied seats of honor at the banquet.
 Vice President Stevenson's address was universally complimented
 Mr. Stevenson, in e-ening his address, said he counted the honor of being the guest of the great commonwealth of Ala bama as one that cannot be measured by words. Eulogzng her great resources, her history and her traditions, he said:
 From no section of the federal union have come to the great halls of debate statesmen better equipped for the conflict than those who at every period Of her history have so ably represented Ala bama in the national councils. Within these walls many of the most gifted sons of the south have received the training, the inspira tion, which for fifty years have made resplendent every page of her his tory-orators, jurlsts and statesmen whose names and fame are 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 constitu- tion of our fathers unites in bonds tndiS- soluble all of the American states-all of the American people,"
 Eulogizing the constitution of the United States, he said: Tn contemplate ing its dual character, it's distribution of powers, and especially what experience has demonstrated to be its perfect adap- tation to the wants of free people. we are struck with admiration at the wisdom of it's founders.
 'Ts 1t to be wondered" he asked, "that the greatest of English statesmen should have declared the American constitution the most wonderful work ever struck off at given time from the brain and pur- pose 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 connected with the history of our coun- try, the vice president impressed upon the young men about to graduate the
  he said: Recalling the words of Bastian that the ogre, war, costs as much far his digestion as for his meats Is 1t too much to believe that In the coming centuries the potent voice will be that from univer- sity and study, rather than from camp and field? Intellect not force, will gov- ern."
 Concluding, he said: with the mar velous increase of population, the rapid accumulation of wealth, the multiplica- tion of monster corporations, corruption in the government of large cities and the influx of vicious element into our popu- lation-with all these will come questions of as great moment and no less difficult solution as any whose happy determina- tion tested the courage and the wisdom of the past generation. In the discussion and settlement of these great questions you are to be the factors. It will be yours to stand in the van, and, whatever dangers may menace, faithfully to guard and transmit to coming generations the priceless legacy of free government"
 Tonight the vice president Is holding a public reception at the city hall. He leaves for the east tonight.
 Governor Oates and Hon. John O. Tur- ner also made able addresses. A toast was proposed amidst much enthusiasm to Joseph F. Johnston, the next governor of Alabama.