The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-06-12
verSity and
Editorial Correspondence.)

chanel Hill, \. c., June S.-This has
University. At one time two ex-presi-
dents. one retiring president and the
rrcsident-elect sat on the rostrum-5a
-i4ht never seen before in North Carolina.
All Of them except the president-elect
esaEc from the rostrum, reviewing the
work Ct the University in its quarter of
n century Of history since the re-opening
in 1870. Maj. John W. Graham, acting as
chairman of the board OF trustees, hap
rflv and wittily said that the University
graduated not only bright young men to
become leaders III the State, but had now
also come TO graduating presidents for
other Universities, and as the large
graduating class received their diplomas.
"a diploma OF graduation as University
president would be awarded to Or. Alder
nan signifying that he was worthy to be
president of Tulane or any other American
University.
The interest in this commencement had
n note Of farewell about it that deeply
touched the student body, the visitors,
the trustees, faculty and citizens. For
twenty years the retiring president, Or.
Edwin A.. Alderman has been in one way
or another 4 part Of the life here-firSt
as student. resident here in his summe
Vacations. instructor in the Summer Nor
mails. member Of the faculty and prcSi-
dent. Here he made the close friendships
OF The college days, here he found the
wife Of his youth, here he bore the sor-
rows that saddened and gave a higher
quality to his manhood and broadened
his &ynpathies. lie is SO large q part of
The pest OF the life here, that in the
midst of The Joy and gladness Of the
nmcnceme festivities, there would
come the regret that soon this noble and
giftcd North Carolina scholar and patriot
would go to new fields, aud We should,
uuOn The recurring commencement occa-
elCns. miss his inspiring presence, and in
the educational life Of the State his elo-
quout and stimulating leadership would 40
LONGER be felt in the rural schools and in
this chief seat of learning. And. if those
Of us who have learned to lean Oh him and
tip trust to his wisdom as educational
Guide. felt the sadness of farewells in
The ringing of the college. bell and the
strains Of the band. the week has been
even harder for him. 1t was a severe
atruGgIe for DR.. Alderman to accept the
call to Loufsiana-it was a trying ordeal
fur him to preside for the last time over
the commencement exercises Of this in
stitution which has had his hearts best
love and his LIES best service. His brief
address to the graduating class, together
with his reference to his work in an
other State in his longer address (pub-
lished elseWhere) were in excellent taste,
and touched q responsive chord in the
heart Of every one present. This brief
address to the graduating class is of its
Sind as good as Lincoln's speech at
Gettysburg.
Members of the Graduating Glass: /
have spoken my word of personal fare
well. my dear friends. We came into the
University together and we go forth from
it's doors together. | think we have been
pretty good friends. We have learned to
know each other and to have some re-
apgct ana affection for each other. ! be-
lieve. have it in my heart to say this
final word of counsel. You are very for
tunate in going out into the world at
this moment IN the beginning of a new
wisdom loving era in a free land, in a
region and a State thrilling with impulses
ci growth ana calling loudly for men to
guide it wisely into the larger current Of
jhe worlds life. This diploma you mold
SIS in effect a new matriculation card into
The most real of all Universities, the
University of life. In that school there
arc no gratis there is no way to work
off conditions and no opportunity to stand
oil failures. It is an ineXorable and me
vjtable schoOl that will demand of you
three things. You must make bread Tor
yourself and for others. You must be
somebCdy and you must help somebody.
Effectiveness. character and social ser
Vice. This IS the Trinity of virtues for d
trained mind and q trained conscience.
The University sends you out with Gods
blessing. ana /, representing the Univer-
aiy for the last time, pray That you may
indeed be strong and quit yourselves like
men,
would like to be able to write IN
words my appreciation of the service lT.
alderman has rendered the state Of North
Carolina. He has served here on the hill
"Jth ability and success, failing in no
way TO measure up to the high position.
THAT in Itself would have made him an
o.celIent president and made his influence
'"t i'm the young men who have gone out
from its walls. Eut. in addition to these
arduous duties which he has performed
}" % manner 10 deserve all the good things
th3t have been said about him, he has
done infinitely more, for he has been q
'art-and a leading part-in every for-
ward educational step taken in the state,
"hetHcF for better schools in the most
scarcely settled country district, IN the
graded schools, in the high schools ana
academies, or in the higher education at
the University. When he was inauSu-
+"'cd President Of the University, he used
these eloquent words;
lave an ideal for this University.
t' desire would have it a place Where
There is always q breath of freedom IN the
'i. where a sound and various learning
taught heartily without sham or pre-
rinse. where the life and the teachlhsS
j"sus furnish forth the ideal OF rlght
...AE and true manhood; where man
are gentle. and cOurtesieS daily mul-
|"F between teacher and taught; Whefe
"I classes and conditions and beliefs are
'oiae and men may rise, in earnest
IRVING by the might of merit; where
'"|h is no prejudice and poverty no
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