The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-10-14
The UNIVERSITY
AND THE STATE
President Venable's Address
to the Students
ON UNIVERSITY DAY"
The University's Record in War and
in Peace.
ON UNIVERSITY DAY.
EDUCATIONAL REVIVAL IN THE STATE
Or. Venable Declares That the Adoption of the
Constitutional Amendment is the Great
est Step Forward Ever Taken
bY This Paorla
BY This People


Last Friday was "University Day.
at the University of North Carolina. Ii
has now been 105 years since the Uni
veGsity came into existence. At no
University Day celebration ian the past
did the enrolment equal what it is
now. Faculty and students are great
ly encouraged by the unusually large
attendance and good conduct of the
students this year.
The students repoSe great confidence
and trust in President Nenable. 1t is
the general belief among citizens and
students that his administration will
be one of wisdom and progress. They
have absolute confidence in the life,
character and ability Of the man. His
address Friday night before the stu
dent-body was warmly received. His
subject was 1.-The University and the
State"
DR.. Venable said:
The University of State. when it truly
fulfills it's duty, should be it's chief
strength and glory light for the people,
the fountain-head of their life, the source
of their uplifting and upbuilding, the bull
wark of their liberties. 1t molds the lead
ers of the people. Streams of influence
flow from it to gladden. the whole land. 1t
is the hope of the poor man, struggling
amidst poverty and debt, for the educa-
tion of his children. The little child In
the far-off country school is reached by
the same influence. Great movements for
the bettering of the condition of the peo-
pie, for the development of the material
resources, for progress along all. lines
spring from it.
The founders of this State in their stur-
dy independence and far-seeing wisdom
recognized the paramount Importance OF
such an institution and So while the
struggle for freedom was still upon them,
provided for the establishment of this
University-the chief safe guard of their
children against the loss of that for
which they fought And should some one
come and offer to endow this institution
with many millions and remove it from
the control of the State, it would be a sale
Of the birth-right of these children, a
betrayal cs the trust of the fathers. The
citizens of this State cannot afford to have
this University narrowed down to the po-
litical platform of one party, to the creed
of single Sect to the economic beliefs
of any individual philanthropist Parties,
churches, philanthropists, all can center
their efforts here and unite in the making
of a great people, a grand Commonwealth,
but the people must control. The truest
democracy in this State is found right
here-a wise tolerance for all shades of
opinion and belief. 'All classes and con-
ditions and beliefs are welcome and men
may rise in earnest striving by the right
OF merit; where wealth is no prejudice and
poverty no shame; where honorable labor,
even rough labor of the hands, is glori-
fled by high purpose and strenuous desire
for the clearer air and the larger view"
WAR RECORD TO BE PROUD OF.
The record of this University during the
one hundred and five years of it's active
service has been glorious one. It's
story should bring thrill of pride to
the heart Of everv loyal son of the Uni
versity and should awaken deep sense
of gratitude in every citizen of the Com
mon wealth that the fathers were so wise
and that the sons have been so true to the
higher purposes of it's foundation. Read
the long line of Governors who have been
sent from these halls to guide the for
tunes of the Commonwealth in peace and
in war. the roll of Senators, Congressman,
members of the Cabinet, foreign ministers
and ether political leaders; the distin-
guished list of iurists physicians. minis
tcrs Of the gospel and teachers: and that
still greater list of men in every walk
of life who have formed the opinions and
directed the affairs of their communities
contributing their share to the making
of North Carolina.
When enter Wonder Memorial Hall and
read on those tablets the roll of our Con-
federate dead a great wave OF pride and
deep emotion fills my heart. You have
there. young gentlemen, the most touch
ing story of the sacrifice of love made by
any sweet mother of learning in all this
land oe ours. When the call went forth
for those who should defend the
State and do battle for her, it
was meet and very right that
this gray-hared mother should send
forth her sons among the first. and it is
fitting that she should bow her head in
deep but proud sorrow over the hundreds
who lay down their lives for their coun-
try Twelve IN each hundred of all her
sons fell-one in every eight. OF the
Freshman Glass of 1859 all but one, who
was too unwell to bear arms, entered
the service. OF the Freshman Class OF
1850 one in every three gave up his life
In that immortal charge at Gettysburg
lead by your own great Pettigrew,