The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-10-14
Leads all North Carolina Mews

ened to the deeper significance of this
movement. Dvested of all political color
and bearing, it marks one OF the greatest
steps forward ever taken bv this peo-
cle, virtually the enforced education of
every citizen. 1t means more SCHOOLS and
better; Improvement in all lines of educa-
tion from the smallest school in the far
OIL country district to this University, the
head of the educational system of the
State While many of the alumni CT the
University did valiant service in this
movement, the standard bearer was that
upright, true and wise son of the Universi-
ty, Charles B. Aycock, our Governor elect.
1t was his straishtfoIward honesty AMI
manly integrity shat did much to lead
the people to look beyond temporary party
gain to the fuller promise of the future.
To send forth such true men 20 lead the
people will always be the greatest SER
vice of the University, and it's highest
honor.
Lack of time forbids my more than men
tioning the service of the University in
establishing the Agricultural Experiment
Station. that great friend and e-gua rd
of this, an agricultural community. For
years that station was located here, and
it's work grew and developed until it was
deemed wise TO remove it to more cen-
trail place, the capital city. Then there
is the geological survey with its benefi-
cent work for good roads, water powers
and the mineral resources of the State
first directed by Kerr, and now under
the vigorous management of Holmes, both
of them University men. This brief and
hurried summary will give you some idea
of the great and varied service done the
State of North Carolina by this University
This service is beyond all reckoning in
money value. Still the question of money
value is by some regarded as of para
mount Importance, and it is well to con-
slider it in order that we may in this also
form some idea of the University's SER
wee.
Let Us Glance for a moment at the
question of material equipment. This is
the only institution in the State whose
equipment has been almost entirely free
gift to the State. The campus with the
twelve buildings and their furnishings,
valued at some $300,000 have been almost
entirely given by the friends and alumni,
as the State has never directly appropri-
ated money for a building here, and all
of this is now the property of the State.
When the University was reftted for its
work in 1875 the State gave nothing, but
the friends throughout the State sub
scribed $4,000 that life and strength and
hope might come to these old halls once
more. A great debt of gratitude is due
to those who thus gave proof of their
loyal affection in the midst of their power
ty and to the tireless efforts of Kemp P.
Battle, who. with the labor of love and
the patience ~of hope, built up again this
University so as to be evermore a power
in the land, at times even pledging his
personal credit for its support as Presi-
dent Swain, shadfdone; before him. Within
the last fifteen years more than one hum
dred thousand dollars has been given for
the endowment of professorshDs and
scholarships and we trust that this is but
an earnest of the generous gifts which
will be poured into the lap of the Uni
versity by loyal sons and friends as the
State grows mere prosperous and wealth
accumulates. And this hope is justified
seeing that so much has been done in our
days of poverty. These gifts to her, the
University brings to the State and says
These my jewels, my children and the
gifts of their love. are yours.
At our last commencement different
phases of the history of the University
during the past quarter of a century were
ably presented. The story is one OF
which any people may justify be proud.
1t required pluck and energy and brains
to keep up the fight against poverty and
ignorance and narrow hostility. 1t was
in no boIf of
whole people The means at Land were
altogether inadequate. Difficulties and
discouragements abounded on every side.
And yet, faithful, honest work was done
and many preiudices were overcome by
mastery tact and care. The fidelity of
the work. the high nature of the SER
vice to the State were recognized and the
institution grew, gathering impetus with
forward movement until it's growth came
to be by great bounds, and president
OF the University could stand in his pride
and say: 1.-The University lights only ig-
norance and fears no harm'-grew until
from a handful of followers and a few doz-
ems of students it has come to be recog-
nized as a leader among the educational
institutions of the South: it's halls over
flowing with students, taught by an able
and enthusiastic faculty, seven times as
large as that of twenty five years ago.
1t has won an enviable reputation for
sound scholarship and learning, for or
atory, and upon the athletic field. 1t has
drawn to itself the attention of the edu
cational workers of the South and has
become to many q model for energy and
adaptability to the needs of the people,
and to all an object of unceasing won
der for it's great accomplishment on small
means.
THE BOW BENT TO BREAKING.
With it's meagre income this Uni
versity is doing the work of institutions
with thrice its wealth. BY rigid economy
and the straining of every nerve, these
great results have been accomplished. 1t
has meant self sacrifice, hard work and
wise application of limited means, but
the reward lies in seeing this institution
the greatest thing in the State today and
her chief glory.
Ny predecessor in office. however, has
stated very truly that the bow is bent
to the breaking. There must come relief
to this tension or disaster will follow.
Surely this great strong people can be
trusted to support and cherish an insttu-
tion which has done it such high service.
Let mo ouOfo hore his StropC opd +ruo