The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-01-24
Wednesday, Jan. "a. 1900.
Mr.. Depew Will Not Come.

The News and Courier has been Informed
that MIR. Depew will not deliver the annlVer-
sary Grafton at Due West, as was expecteu'
and some feeling Of disappointment may e8
ist, Speaking for the Press and Banner, We
believe it is possible that doubt may exist
as to whether 1t is better or not for dlstln-
ouished orators outside OF Erskines own
graduates, to come and oVershadoW eltner
the college ITSELF or the efforts OF the students
who are now on the very threshold OF strug-
ole for distinction and success. The thing OF
which q college may bo proudest is the stu
dents themselves and their proficiency In
learning and oratory. If Mr.. Depew, or other
distinguished orator comes, does ne not ara"
attention to himself, rather than to the col.
lege?
If the assembled multitude shall con-
centrate their attention upon the thrllllng Or
atory of the an nniversary speaker, is there not
q reason to fear that the best efforts OF tne
Young men may be overlooked or dwarfed1
A school exhibition is primarily In the In
terest of the scholars and for the entertain
ment of their friends. The friends Of ali In
stitution of learning are interested In the pro-
eress and efficiency Of the students or schol'
ars.
The speeches of the young men are, IN
fact, of first importance to college. they
show not only their own progress IN letters
but they reflect the ability and the scholarly
attainments of their preceptors.
While the gaping public may care nothing
for the excellent work of the college, and
while they may be more interested in the or
atory OF q speaker whose name may not he
unknown TO the world, yet the speech OF
friend-the oratory OF an honored graduate
OF former years-would seem 10 turnlsn Ine
best evidence OF the real value OF the college.
Erskine has sent out into the world many no.
BILE sons-many splendid men-who would De
proud of any honorable recognition by the
college from which they were graduated. In
the fifty years OF Its existence, we venture 10
suggest that OF the hundreds who have been
graduated from Erskine, there Ia not one VINO
Would not love TO come back to Its classic
gEfoves, and there is not one who would come
bahck, who would not hold the honor in CRATE
fu}l remembrance.
fWhen college has been in existence for If
&y years, 1t seems to Us that the rule should
: be to invite some graduate from its own walls
TO make the anniversary address. The fact
that such q rule existed would be a just recog.
milton of worthy sons, and would furnish an
inspiration and an incentive to all. Why go
out into the broad world for speakers when
the college has distinguished sons who would
be ready TO render servicef For instance:
Why not ask John H. Miller, ESQ.,, of Bir-
mingham, Ala? He is friend to the college,
an able lawyer, and an honored son Of Ers.
kline. Erskine might well afford to give him
the place OF honor at one Of her commence.
ments.
Why should not DR.. J. J. Darlington, Of
Washington, D. c., receive Erskine's highest
honors?
Is there any reason why the merit, the
friendship and the ability of ]. Altheus John
son, ESQ.,, Of Washington, should be ignored :?
What Is the matter with JudgeIra B. Jones,
saof Lancaster? His honorable record and his
successful career make him a son OF whom
Erskine might we'll be proud.
Chester, York, Laurens, Newberry, Charles
ton, Abbeville, and many other counties Of
this State could furnish orators that are
friendly to Erskine and whom Erskine could
honor with no discredit to herself
The same is true of every Southern State,
and especially IL 1t true of North Carolina.
which State has furnished so many students
10 Erskine.
Why pass all these friends to invite strsn-
gers who care nothing for either the college or
its students? Why should the ability and
the requirements Of Erskine's own distin-
guished sons be neglected in order to invite a
stranger to organize literary entertainment
which would district attention from the COL
lege. and which could add nothing more than
notoriety, instead Of giving a substantial
beneft2stf
We have nothing to urge. We have no
pride OF opinion, and write not to fiatter the
vanity or pride Of any individual, but In the
>belief that II Erskine would recognize the
merit Of her own sons, or If the Literary So
cieties would look TO their own fellow men,
bers for their orators, that good would result
to the institution. Let Erskine set the world
an example by honoring her own SONS, and
ct nobody take exception at suggestion
which Is offered in friendly spirit.