The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1900-07-25
"A COLLEGE THAT
HONORS THE STATE"
Jno. Temple Graves Gives His
Impressions of Mercer
University.


the literary address before the Phi
Delta and Ciceronian Literary Socie-
ties of Mercer University. On his re-
turn to his home he published in the
Atlanta Journal the following npres-
sions of the college
A further observation of Mercer
University during its commencement
exercises strengthens my opinion that
it is one of the really great colleges OF
the country.
A great newspaper like the Journal
cannot too often commend an instltu-
ton that illustrates the noblest ideas
of higher education, and is constantly
enriching the citizenship OF the state
with strong, able and earnest men.
The students of this great college are
indeed its monuments.
The exceptional merit OF Mercer
University does not rest in its equip
ment, for in that line it is surpassed
by a score of colleges in the south. 1t
is not in the pile of its endowment, for
that is scant enough to astonish those
who know the influences behind it. 1t
is not rim any greater scholarship or
learning among its faculty, for its pro-
fessors, while equal to the best, are
not superior to many men in other in
situations. 1t cannot be in any differ
ence in the calibre or home training
of its students, for they are mostly
Georgia boys sprung from the same
conditions which surround Georgia
youth everywhere.
But the notable and admirable excel
lence of this Macon school is in the
magnificent spirit that prevails every
where among the student body. [ have
never seen anything superior to it in
any American college, north or south.
1t is the destinal glory of the college,
and is worth more than equipment or
endowment or any tangible possession.
l scarcely know how to describe it,
and certainly do not understand its Or
igin or its steady continuance through
so many years. 81
Let me skim the surface of it by say
ing that the most fashionable and pop
ular and permanent enthusiasm OF
Mercer University is mental develop
ment. Among some 225 young men
correct number of students 260), with
good, red blood in their veins, fond of
athletics, with high enthusiasm for
legitimate sport, and proven excel
lence in the American games, with
due regard for society, and with not
trace of "Miss Nancvism" in their
manly lives, it is yet true that the one
idea which dominates every class and
every student is the pre-eminent ambi-
ton to prepare themselves gloriously
for usefulness and success in the bat
tie of life.
| never saw such devotion in stu
dent body to its alma mater. l never
saw so much of genuine personal loyal
ty among students to the professors
who train them, or such hearty sym
patty between students and profess
sors. Those Mercer boys actually make
DR.. Pollock the confident in their love
affairs, and go to him freely with the
most private details of their lives.
They respect him absolutely and love
him devotedly, and he rules them by
the high appeal to honor, to gratitude
and to their noblest interests.
do not know to whom this condition
is due, whether to the president or to
the faculty, to several students or to
all the Students; but I do know that
the resultant of these conditions is an
atmosphere of mental vitality, a keen'
ness of intellectual life, q spirit of
philosophy, purposefulness, an ambi-
ton. fine spirit of harmony, and
vigor effective to success which reflects
surprising credit upon it's inspiration
wherever it lies, and which is simply
thrilling with promise to the future.
There has not been an intellectual
event in the student life of Georgia
within these three years in which this
college has anot borne leading and
glorious part, and the college is today
standard manufacturer of character
and high equipment for the service of
the state.
The great and wealthy Baptist
church has nothing nobler and WORTH
er under the shadow of its name than
Mercer University, and it ought to
pour out it's energies and its money
lavishly to increase its equipment and
enlarge its usefulness
To me the college in its spirit, and
in it's results realizes an ideal which
simply compels my admiration and its
free expression.
Heartburn.