The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-06-09
Two Fine Orations by Old
Graduates Yesterday.
A BANQUET AT | O'CLOCK
ENJOYABLE ALUMNI MEETING
IN THE AFTERNOON.
TALKS ABOUT THE OLD TIMES
And Plans and Prospects For the ru-
ture.-A Noble Set of Strong Young
Men of Which the College

is Proud.
The strength Of a college is its alumni
1t is to them it must look for the glory
and honor that is to crown ats past work
TO them that it must turn for it's pres
ent and future prosperity and support.
And happy is that institution that pos
sesses such line of strong men or
women. who have gone out from its doors
-loyal and faithful sons and daughters
of a worthy mother They are at the same
time its jewels and its servants. Such an
alumni has the North Carolina College of
Agriculture and Mechanic Arts.
Yesterday morning at IL O'Clock the
Alumni Association of this great institu-
ton held a public meeting in the college
chapel. Two of the most gifted members
of the Association delivered addresses.
The speeches of the orators were excel
lent in thought, choice in language and
gracefully delivered Mr. Charles Pear
son. of Raleigh, called the association to
order. This is the first public meeting ever
held by the association. He traced the
growth of the organization and stated its
purpose and aim. This college, he said, is
the pioneer institution in this State for
training our young men to use their
hands as well as their minds, in teaching
them how to work and to think.
Mr.. Pearson then introduced the first
orator of the day, Mr.. w. X. Davis,
Mr.. Davis expressed his gratitude to
the association for selecting him as one
of the orators. He could think of nothing
more appropriate for this occasion than
to impress upon the people of the State
the necessity of perpetuating the history
of North Carolina. No State had a more
important part than our State in the es-
Enlistment of this Union. She was a
leader in craftsmanship and in heroism
which resisted tyranny.
Can we expect alien writer's to do our
heroes justice? If we do not collect and
perserve these glorious records and teach
them to our children, then who VIII? The
negligence of our ancestors in this respect
may be explained by the fact that in the
ante-bellum days politics and agriculture
were the only pursuits considered by the
young men of the State. The deeds which
should give imperishable fame to the
State have been neglected and sighted"
The orator described in vivid language
the defiance and brave resistance of the
NOTJn odToHllld pdIFl0LS against the ~
ranny of England in the revolution.
King Georges stamp act was defed
in TINS State in open day long before the
enactment of tie celebrated tea escapade
at Boston, the fame of which is known
all over the Union, while the former
brave deed is persistently overlooked by
many students of history. The Mecklen-
burg Declaration of Independence was
=, 10 IL ~, Ipa1
olution which will compare in bravery
and fortitude with the battle of Kings
Mountain.
After the terrible struggle was over
and the constitution was submitted to the
States, North Carolina, with her tradi-
tional conservation, rejected the constifu-
ton until amendments had been added
which she considered necessary to per-
fected union and an unhampered state
sovereignty.
John Gill, of Newborn, inrented the re-
yolver, Calling the terrible gun. which
has revolutionized war, and other illus
triuos North Carolinians who achieved
success were mentioned. We ask no IA
vors, we simply want justice to the rec
ord of our ancestors. Let us have more
North Carolinian historians and let us
tors and prove ourselves true sons of IL
lustrious sires.
Mr.. Davis speech was well received
and he was heartily applauded.
Mr.. Charles +. Gold, of Wilson, was
then introduced as the second orator. He
quoted the language of the Apostle Paul,
forgetting those things which are be-
hind and pressing forward for those
things which are before
These" he said, "were memorable
words My object is to impress upon you
your duties as alumni of this institution,
as citizens of North Carolina and as men.
The orator then addressed a few appro-
pirate remarks to the class of '97. No
better motto can be given you than the
subject of this talk. Upon your labor de-
ponds the success or reputation of this
college.
"How shall we best work for our col
lege?' Everything comes to him who
waits is an old adage, but rather strive
to attain the ends which you are seeking.
.'No man ever succeeded without def
mite purpose. Let your ideals be high. let
your aims be worth attaining. Aim high,
let your thoughts be lofty, your pur-
pose excelsior. Noble thoughts and
worthy purposes purify and enoble the
soul.
''At this time a young man entering life
has grave responsibilities. Into these re-
sponsiblities | ask you to take the watch
word excelsior. If we cultivate the inner
man there is no such thing as failure. |
would plead with you for a higher aim
than wealth or fame. Let your purpose be
thy country, thy Gods and thy truths.
Enter politics not to gain fame for your
self, but to purify political life.
Take excelsior with you, let it be your
watchWord ever by you and remember
First to thine own self be true
And it must follow as the night the day
Thou canst not then be false to any
man."
Mr.. Gold was literally applauded and
his speech was highly enjoyed by all.
After the orations the alumni meeting
was held and tie annual BANQUET was