The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-06-20
GREAT DAY FOR UNIVERSITY.
LIBERAL SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THE
ENDOWMENT FUND.


Glasses at the Alumni Lunch.
Athens, Ga, June l9-To-day was be-
yond all doubt the biggest day in the
history of the University of Georgia.
1t was a day of wild enthusiasm among
the alumni of the university and pecu-
liarly a day of triumph for Chancellor
Hill, whose name was applauded at every
turn.
The Alumni Society met at $50 o'clock
this morning in the Phi Kappa hall. be-
ing called 20 order by the president Hon.
p. W. Meldrim of Savannah The first
business transacted was the enrolling Of
members. and by the time that was fin
ished fully 200 alumni were in the hall.
The enthusiasm was started when Hon.
Brantley A. Denmark of Savannah, chair
man of the Committee on Endowment
presented his report, in which he showed
subscriptions in three counties in the
First Congressional distrist to the amount
of $1,000. This report started the other
alumni into action, and in thirty minutes
$685. had been subscribed by a few mem
bers present, Mr.. e, X. HOdgson of Ath-
ems heading the list with $1,000 The diff
ferent committeeman in the eleven CON
gressional district will not get to work,
and there is no doubt about having che
100000 endowment fund complete by next
June.
The alumni orator selected for next
year is DR. BENJAMIN NJ. Palmer of New
Orleans, the first alternate Gen. John b.
Gordon and the second alternate Judge
Emory Speer. committee was appoint
ed to arrange for grand centennial ban
auet and reception next commencement
Address of Mr.. Peck.
The society, after finishing its business
formed according to classes and proceed
ed to the chapel where they listened to
the address of their chosen orator, Hon
George r. Peck of Chicago.
Mr.. Peck was eloquently introduced by
Hon P. W. Meldrim of Savannah and
proceeded to make a very able address
upon the mission of the scholar. His
address gave evidence Of vast amount
of study and made fine impression on
all present. He said
When you asked me to speak before
the Alumni OF this venerable institution
this cherishing mother OF so such that
Is best and greatst in Georgia history
felt that the invitation meant far more
that il said. 1t meant that dreams come
true. 1t meant that North and South no
longer nurse their sad and tragic memo
ries, but having watched out the night
1oyfully welcome the advancing day. And
IL meant also, that when those who once
were enemies look into each others eyes
they see only the same natures, the same
hopes and the same faith.
| am an Northern man. and every drop
of blood In my veins has coursed through
generations of Puritans. Nay. more; as
IL to show that the age of chivalry is moi
gone and to give your courtesy a deeper
Significance, there was time when l
stood in arms facing the brave soldiers of
the South, even here in Georgia among
the hills and valleys you love so well. /
have neither earned nor merited the honor
of addressing you. which by uniform Gus
tom has heretofore been given to some
son of the university. But you asked me
to come and so in plain fashion, thank
you. and give you hand for hand and
heart for heart
You have gracious,y hidden me forget
the miles that separate this beautiful
shrine from my far-off Northern home.
You have made me believe the mountains
and rivers serve more TO unite than TO di-
vide. I bring YOU salutations and a mes
sage. 1t is this: Let us remember tha
by a stress which Is stronger than legal
enactments, deeper and more sacred than
constitutions and statutes, We are kin
folk forevermore. Illinois and Georgia
are not so unlike as a casual observer
might think; certainly not more different
than are the people north of the Tweed
from those who till the fields and gardens
of Kent and Surrey. Language more
than latitude dominates the making of
nations, 1t has been my fortune to dwell
in land of rigorous winters, and slow,
reluctant springs but if the crocus and
the buttercup come to you before they
visit us, their beauty is not lessened be-
cause we must longer wait their coming
The Race Moves Onward.
When I think of the many great sons
of the Sou h, fam us in council and in
hel1, VIII We lie n TT rel here l
hes tate TO ut'e r the thoughts that this
occasion su gests. Let ne ra her be a
searchsr W h you for those tlu his which
make human -xiatence worth our tig es
effort. oubtless you were aught in these
sch lastio halls that life uld brig yol
many sorrows and mony rude awakenngs
TIE pr mrosr path Is not fer him who
sees afar the goal of high reso yes What
eV the uniVer ity 4. hit and whae
II left for the stern u e ge of ex ellie ce
you have ad some oomy heu VIII
II Sc med that men a only at ms in a
great mechs nj m which lit Ia needs he
particles that COM csc II In he lmmen
sity of the universe, The in mite sweep
OF 6 ace, and m )re pr.fo undly mvster
ious the infinite sweep Of time, h W
less it seems to battle against the things
that are, or hope for he hings tina
ought o be. And y (, gen .emen, the race
does move onward Out of a welterng
chaos, harmony AID order are gradually
evolved, and his DRY is Transformed from
a discordant medley into an epic of no
BILE and rhythm b auty In this ma
jestic, this imperial drama we are a l
actors. The al mni and he udents Cf
this university join ID by indis olube e.
TO scholars and lie rners everywhere, con
sutute, in a high enrolling sense, a
guild; fraternity consciously or unccn
sciousy nun b red with all who ave felt
the touch Of finer issues, or heard the
call Of immemorial duties.
Gentlemen, this mother of yours, this
TIN e-honorei university, Is not less dear
pecau.e 4 is IN q and winch was u -
known 10 the culture of Attica. l.
Apef ca is a new world. the four. cen
turles since Columbus eered hi storm,
tossed carayels in quest Of far Cathay,
4 neon flied win inspiring omen
rophecies. The American scholar
cannot be deaf TO them; and under the
cons RANT Of duty whose voice Is never
silent, he must strive without ceasing to
make his countrymen heed them. Can
any intelligent citizen of the United States
fail to see that the memorable power
which the Greeks named Fate, and
which the sweeter and wi er philosophy
OF the Christian calls Providence has or
dained that here in our own country, is
the widest opportunity ever given for the
high-souled effort of high-souled men?
History of the Commonwealth