The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-06-10
editorial Correspondence.)

Chapel Hill, N. c., June S.-This ha:
been a notable week in the history of the
University. At one time two eX-presi
dents, one retiring president and the
president t-elect sat on the rostrum-s
sight never seen before in North Carolina
All of them except the president -elec
spoke from the rostrum, reviewing the
work of the University in its quarter OF
a century of history since the re-opening
in 1875. Maj. John W. Graham, acting as
chairman of the board of trustees, hap
PLY and wittily said that the University
graduated not only bright young men to
become leaders in the State, but had now
also come to graduating presidents fol
other Universities, and as the large
graduating class received their diplomas
a diploma of graduation as University
president would be awarded to DR.. Alder
man signifying that he was worthy to be
president of Tulane or any other American
University.
The interest in this commencement had
a note of farewell about it that deeply
touched the student body, the visitors
the trustees, faculty and citizens. Fol
twenty years the retiring president, DR.
Edwin A. Alderman has been in one way
or another part of the life here-first
as student, resident here in his summer
vacations instructor in the Summer Nor
mails member of the faculty and presi-
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 higher
quality to his manhood and broadened
his sympathes. He is SO large part OF
the best Of the life here, that in the
midst of the joy and gladness of the
commencement festivities, there would
come the regret that soon this noble and
gifted North Carolina scholar and patriot
would go to new fields, and we should
upon the recurring commencement occa-
sicns. miss his inspiring presence, and in
the educational life of the State his elo-
quent and stimulating leadership would no
longer be felt in the rural schools and in
this chief seat of learning. And, if those
of us who have learned to lean on him and
to trust to his wisdom as educational
guide, felt the sadness of farewels 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
struggle for DR.. Alderman to accept the
call to Louisiana-it was trying ordeal
for him to preside for the last time over
the commencement exercises of this in
stitution which has had his hearts best
love and his lifes best service. His brie1
address to the graduating class, together
with his reference to his work in an
other State in his longer address (pub-
Iished elsewhere) were in excellent taste
and touched a responsive chord in the
heart of every one present. This brief
address to the graduating class is of its
kind as good as Lincoln's speech at
Gettysburg.
Members of the Graduating Glass:
have spoken my word of personal fare
we'll my dear friends. We came into the
University together and we go forth from
its doors together. / think we have been
pretty good friends. We have learned tC
know each other and to have some re-
spect and affection for each other, l be-
lieve. l have it in my heart to say this
final word of counsel. You are very for
tunate in going out into the world a,
this moment in the beginning of a new
wisdom loving era in a free land, in a
region and a State thrilling with impulses
of growth and calling loudly for men to
guide it wisely into the larger current OF
the worlds life. This diploma you hold
is in effect new matriculation card into
the most real of all Universities, the
University of life. In that school there
are no gratis" there is no way to worl
off conditions and no opportunity to stand
off failures. 1t is an inexorable and inc
vitable school that will demand of yol
three things You must make bread fol
yourself and for others. You must bt
somebody and you must help somebody.
Effectiveness, character and social ser
vice. This is the Trinity of virtues for Z
trained mind and a trained conscience
The University sends you out with God
blessing and ]. representing the Unlver'
sity 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 Dr
Alderman has rendered the State of North
Carolina He has served here on the hill
with ability and success, failing in nc
way TO measure up to the high position
That in itself would have made him an
excellent president and made his influence
felt in the young men who have gone out
from it's walls. But, in addition to these
arduous duties which he has performed
in a manner to deserve all the good things
that have been said about him, he has
done infinitely more. for he has been {
part-and leading part-in every for
ward educational step taken in. the State
whether for better schools in the most
scarcely settled country district, in the
graded schools, in the high schools ant
academies, or in the higher education a.