The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-02-17
The Nlale IniXerHlIN

correspondence OF The MeSSenger.)
Chapel Hill, n. G.. February ll.-(De-
layed in transmission.)-Last Thurs
day morning in the chapel. DR.. Alder
man read a letter from Richmond Pear
son Hobson, hero of the Merrimac. i'm
reply to an invitation sent TO Lieuten-
ant Hobson to address the students OF
this university. His letter was very in
teresting and was as follows:
AT Sea, December 20.
Edwin A. Alderman, Chapel Hin:
My Dear DR.. Alderman:-Your let
ter Of the 9Th inst. reached me after
forwarding. and l had hoped till the
last that | might be able TO wire you
or my acceptance OF the cordial invi-
tation to address the students OF Chapel
Hill, but the pressing exigencies OF
duty interfered.. Acceptance at a fur
ther date, after return, woul give me
pleasure, for there is no place Of in
tenser interest for me than Chapel Hill.
The name is a household word in my
home and l have grown up with the
hope of making a pilgrimage. as IL
were, to this shrine of my forefathers.
Fully approaching the sentiments ex-
pressed in your letter,
Il am sincerely yours,
RICHMOND PEARSON HOBSON."
DR.. Alderman was loudly cheered as
he finished reading the letter. and the
students Of Chapel Hill would give
Hobson a right royal welcome IL he
should ever come here. Lieutenant
Hobson's father, James NJ. Hobson. was
a student at this institution. He reg
istered from Davie count his state.
and took A. Il. course. He was a mem
Der Of the class of 81. He is now post
master at Greensboro. Ala
Thursday evening the committee ap-
pointed by the house and senate Of the
North caroline lap~fEl2 fIfra IN 1nNL gpfn
the affairs of the state institutions ar
rived on the hill. That night they were
given an opportunity to meet the fac
ulty in the presidents office. Yesterday
morning in the chapel, for the first two
hours, they We're introduced to the stu
dents and each one made a short ak
Those Of the committee were Messrs.
Wall, OF Richmond; Smith, Of Stanley:
Locke Craige, of Buncombe: James. OF
Pitt; Davis, of Franklin; Manning, OF
Cherokee; Williams. OF Cumberland
They were each introduced by DIR. Al
derman. Five OF the nine committee
men have been students here. These
that had been here INDUCED in remins-
cenceS n recalled many little Incl
dents that happened while they were
students. They looked back with great
pleasure to the happy days spent in
the classic shades of Chapel HILL"
they told OF numerous amusing FRANKS
played by the boys on the professors
and on the students. They all told or
the great pride the state feels in he
university; OF the necessity OF a great
university for a great state: OF the feel
ing of owe and pride that is felt by the
people Of North Carolina in this insti-
tuition, the most valuable piece OF
property that the state OWNS" The
told OF how the people are looking To
the students OF this university for the
roture OF the state and they expressed
the opinion that they would not be dis
appointed. They each promised to do
their utmost to continue and to fur
Their this university in her great work.
They promised to tell the Legislature
just how they found US and to recon-
mend for us those Ehings that they saw
were necessary. Each speech showed
the great love felt by the people az dis
played by these representatives of the
people.
Each committeeman was loudly cheer
60 as ne finished, and frequently they
were interrupted by applause as they
made reference to different subjects. so
dear 10 a Carolinian's hear.
After all had spoken DIR. Alderman
that the gentiemen would be
glad TO meet any of the students from
their respective counties.
After chapel, the gentlemen. in COM
pany with the president and other
members OF the faculty. were shown
through the library. Laboratories lee
ture rooms. society halls. etc. In the
AFTERNOON they attended gymnasium
ana saw the 500 students taking their
regular daily exercises. The committee
seemed TO be surprised with the great
work the college is doing. and were
Wei pleased 10 see how economically it
Is being run. They speak in praise OF
the management and OF the faculty.
They left in the afternoon.
The baseball team has not had any
practices lately on account of the in
clement weather, bus they will begin
d soon as the weather permits. Mr..
William Il. Whitehead. of Wilson has
peen appointed assistant manager for
| this years nine.
Ut; Manning, professor of law, who
has Deen very Ill. Is much improved to-