The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1898-11-13

the addresses of Col. J. L. Power,
Col. w. D. Hurnphries, Hon. A. A.
Kincannon and Hon. M. A. Frank
lin, which were delivered at the
opening exercises of the Industrial
Institute and College last Wednes-
day:
COL. jill. POWERS ADDRESS.
Mr.. PRESIDENT, LADIES OF THE,FAC-
ULTY, STUDENTS AND FRIENDS: l
hardly know how it is that I am in
Columbus this morning. For the
past seven weeks, much official
work has been side-tracked and all
fraternal and personal correspon-
dence had to be postponed to a
more convenient season. Bnt |
decided that was entitled to a
change of scene; and while the
Capital City has resumed her ac-
customed activity and cheer, her ex-
perience for some time past has
been that of abandoned homes, de-
serted streets and yellow flags di-
sease and death and quarantine. l
am truly glad that this fair city was
spared the "panic of fright and
frenzy" that so paralyzed other
communities, and that we are here
to- day with no microbes or quar-
antines to modest or to make US
afraid
l am right glad to be with you. |
am thankful to my good friend,
President Kincannon, that he in
sisted l should come, and that the
spirit moved me, and kind Provi-
dence permitted me to accept his
cordial invitation. l would be
right hard to please if l could not
say, in all sincerity-it is good to
be here-an occasion so auspi5 pus,
so Astounding in life, in 9HGS-dn
hope and joyl "Behold how cool
and pleasant it is for brethren-and
sisters,-to dwell together in
unityl"
I have been here on other inter-
esting occasions, and have always
felt cat home, " as I do to-day.
My first visit was on the 10TH, of
May, 1885, when l assisted in lay
ing the foundation stone of this
chapel. Grand Master James B.
Morgan conducted the ceremonies,
assisted by Robt. c. Patty, Robert
B. Brannin and others of his staff.
That occasion was, to me, one of
special interest and peculiar signifi-
canoe. I saw in it the elimination
of an idea that GA Mississippi Wo-
man," Mrs. Annie c. Peyton, had
dared to think, and believe, and adj
vocate, and then it was my proud
to publish and that idea was
that education is not a sex monop-
oily, and that the chivalrous and
gallant sons of the great common
wealth of Mississippl should see to
it that the white girls of the State
have the same "free and unlimited"
facilities for acquiring an education,
and preparing them for the duties
and responsibilities of life that the
boys of the State had always enjoy
ed, The result of the war created
new conditions and necessitated in
on long established GUS
toms in the trades, professions and
in the home life. The noble, pure,
PATRIOTS women of these Southern
cheerfully accepted these
new conditions, and now labor, in
any useful sphere, and by either sex,
is the badge of Distinctions
laudable and honorable.
1t was this idea that inspired the
Act of the Mississippi Legislature
''to establish an Industrial Institute
and College for the white girls Of
Mississippi, and l am delighted
to see on this platform to-day an
honored son of Oktibbeha, whose
zeal, activity and influence for the
measure, at a most critical time,
did much to save it from defeat.
This college has been the bright
est jewel in the diadem of Missis-
sippi's educational progress. It
has supplied a long-felt and most
pressing want. 1t has been a great
blessing to the womanhood, and
to the manhood of our
CT. e.. ,--b,k alor-akae Abo rpa