The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-06-04

almost an inspiration. He is a scholar.
could not better describe his fitness for
his high office if | used "a dozen strong
adiectives. But scholarship alone, while
it is and should be condition precedent
to election, does not make successful
president of University. Dr. Alderman
combines knowledge of folks with knoWl-
edge OF the classics in proper proper
ton. He believes that the greatest study
of mankind is man. He would regard
his work at the University as a failure,
no after how much Greek and Latin
the boys learned, if the institution did not
make itself felt in the uplifting and help
ing of the people in the city and villege
and country schools. The University as a
city set upon ii hill, giving its light and
guidance to those in the valleys as well
as to those on the eminence, is his ideal
of the institution of which he is the head.
He seeks-and so do the other members
of the faculty-to make the student body
here understand that university education
is equipment for the battles of life and
not an accomplishment; that it is to grid
men with endurance, not mere dec0ra-
ton of honor. He recognizes that the
State depends upon ITS two million OF
people, and the University will be great if.
it is the servant of all, helping them to
higher life and to better things. The
notion that its alumni compose a class to
rule and govern, except by service to all
the people, is foreign to his views of its
purposes. He believes in a democracy.
He hopes to make this institution its best
object lesson. He is making progress as
did his predecessors. He has faith in
himself. faith in hard work, faith in the
capacity and integrity of the people. If
he should lose either of this trinity of
faith, power to grow into a great presi-
dent would depart from him. Without
Faith, he would be unworthy, even with
his splendid endowment, to carry this
institution forward to the fullest realiza-
ton of its high duty. This Faith that
inspires and encourages him and other
scholars is the only agency that is re-
moving the mountains of difficulty that
confront intellectual labor in North Caro-
lima.
The first year of DIR. Alderman's adj
ADMINISTRATION has more than met the eX-
pectations of his friends, and gives
promise of the growth and expansion and
usefulness of this venerable and progress
sive institution.
SO we'll and so ably has DR.. Alderman
directed the affairs of the University that
| can almost forgive the introduction of
he college cap and gown which con
fronted us this commencement for the
first time. 1t is the revival of an old
custom that was discarded many years
4 rI,t+ h
mitted soon to go into innOcuouS desue
tude, so to speak. 1t smackS of classism,
of the church ceremonials, of antiquated
judicial wigs, and reaching out after
forms and ceremOnials. For people who
like that sort of thing the revival of the
old custom will be hailed with joy. For
those who like the describing of the
gowns for the judges, the absence of
particular dress or robes for the clergy,
and all samblance of setting apart Il
particular class by dress, it is an inno-
Walton not to be apprved. There is one
argument in its fayor-;nd only one
and that is that it enables every gradu
ate. rich and poor alike, at a small out
lay, to dress becomingly and suitably
ON commencement occasions. There is
weight in this argument. A suit 10 wear
on graduation day is frequently n tax on
a poor young man that he cannot afford
to meet, and it is said that a cap and
gown can be rented for two dollars, thus
obviating the necessity of the expense
and avoiding any difference III the dress
of the graduates. This argument will
outweigh many prejudices and precon-
ceved opinions if it is well founded. The
continuation of the revived custom de-
ponds upon whether or not this argument
is based upon the facts.
One of the revelations of the Alumni |
banquet was the fact that in Mr.. Warren
G.. Elliott, president of the Atlantic
Coast Line, the State has a humorist of
the first water. In responding to the
toast, THE University and Industrial |
Development" he kept the COMPANY IN 4 |
roar of laughter for more than twenty |
minutes by original hum0r that made |
the banquet board in truth a place ut
which to laugh and grow fat. He not |
only convulsed his audience by his witty |
but also showed that as a clear
and vigorous talker he is among the |
strong sons Of the University.
| have "a book full of notes | inaelded
to touch upon, but space is full and |
hovo ,.oan 'of+ onIv for tho TTntun-SitV