The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-06-05
For President of the University.

To The Editor: When. almost Il PENN
,ooS vorth with a heart yearnlng 10 nc
o,ira q collegiate education tnat / might
70 como extent attain unto the ldeaiS
,hon abiding in my soul; when | was
NOT able 10 enter the college OF NY i"i'h'
on account of its lack of funds lor heeuS
students. and | almost despairtu a. -
what steps 10 pursue; WheH' ~
nj Scotland. | cried: iii give II up
inet tben through the beneficence OF lhe
big-hearted DR.. Battle, the ohiNeiot's
took me in, transformed me from .h'
darkness of ignorance into the Ilghi y m
tellisence. qualified me for the "'.aih-
ment Of any cherished hope, ana s'iihu,
lated in my heart. such a fohdhess ~
adm;ration for learning. growth ana
development that | shall not let the cau9e
of nv destiny drag in the dust unui l
-, crowned victor over the last enemy.
We're | not grateful TO my aim mater
for snch unbounded philanthropy ana
life and most Jealous Of her present
welfare and future progress, Shouiu
deserve contempt, such as If were 10
scorn my mother.
Hence. these bold and brave words IN
an hour when the Universlty's gresI
| leader. DR.. Alderman. has left her. ana
| she is considering the ability OF num-
| erOus other educators, to promote lhe
one best equipped to fill the position
| made vacant by his resignation ana 70
| take up the banner where DR.. Alder
man laid it down and bear it heroicaily
on until the Old North State is rescued
| from the thraldOm of ignorance.
DR.. Alderman is a great man-great
in character, great on the r0strum,
great as an educator, powerful in eX-
| ample. at home and abroad; but history
teaches that no man is so great but that
there is another just as great. For
Example for every Napoleon there Is n
Wellington, for every Lee there Is 4
Grant. And, therefore, l arise before the
| public and second the nomination or Prof.
p. p. ClaXtOn, of the State Normal ana
Industrial School, of Greensboro. as 4
man cminently qualified to be president
Of the University, and urge the trustees
to weigh heavily the following essential
requisites in his favor:
First.-There is scarcely a man any,
where p%rofounder in liberal learning, ped
goggles and history of education.
Secondly-There is no man in North
Carolina or elsewhere more closely iden-
tilted and more thoroughly in sympathy
with public education.
Thirdly.-With due respect to any 2r3
all our great educators, not one is more
magnetic and entertaining on the rOs
trum. and more popular with the public
school teacher. county superintendent
and supervisors.
Fourthly.-He is energetic, enthusiast
tic. progressive and with his fine Chris
tian character in bold relief would pro-
claim the Gospel of Christian education
from the mountains to the sea, both b.
precept and example.
Fifthly.-Like the present incumbent.
he is no politician and the University,
under his administration, would con-
tinue to enjoy progressive and real life
instead Of being Handicapped by the stag
nant effects of party machinery.
Sixthly.-He is a native North Caro-
linian. has already devoted years of
successful effort in her uplifting and if
thus encouraged will live and die III her
midst dispensing light and wholesome in
fuence.
Inference: Any fair-minde1 citi.en CT
North Caroline would readily concede
that these requisites should be enthron-
ed in the heart and mind Of any lnan
who is president of the University.
Will any one deny that they ara not
very prominent in the life of Prof. Ciax-
ton? To say they are not is as express
siOnless as saying Shakespeare IS not
prominent among literateurS.
Then, gentlemen of the trustees, Prof.
P. p. Claxton is the logical man for pres.
ident of the University.
GEO. IT. CROMWELL.
High Point, \. c., May &c, 1900.