The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-05-05
DR.. McIvER AT RICHMOND
Pays High Tribute to DIR. J. Allison Hodges
Who Succeeds Dr. Mcclure

pr Charles d. McIver, president of The
State Normal and Industrial College. at
Greensboro, delivered the annual address
at the graduating exercises Of the Uni
versity College of Medicine in Richmond
on Thursday night The Richmond Dis
patch says Of the speech
The splendid speech of Dr. McIver
was undoubtedly the feature of the occa-
sion. The speech contained much that
was valuable TO the student and the
thinker well as TO the public in gen
eral, and it was most ably spoken 1t
created profound impression upon the
great audience"
The entire speech was ably prepared
and most admirably delivered 1t held
the vast audience in the strictest atten-
ton. and al the end brought forth pro
longed applause"
in his Introductory remarks. DR.. Nc
Iver said:
In North Carolina we are proud of
your college Every true Southerner is
proud of Virginia and of Richmond. and
reJoices in whatever adds TO the prosper
ity and glory of either
We claim almost an equal share with
you in the name of Stonewall Jackson
and OF his great surgeon Hunter Me
CURE In addition to our interest in your
college, because of our generation for the
name and work Of its great founder, and
because of its phenomenal growth and
prestige, gained in less than decade,
We feel a peculiar pride that at its head,
worthily succeeding the great president
you have lost is one of the many gifted
sons North Carolina has had the fortune
and the misfortune to give TO other states.
TGn qssr -f Tlr ;,N l.
State as teacher, physician, lecturer, and
citizen, was such that no surprise will be
caused there by any success he may
achieve or any honor that may come to
him IN his adopted home.
II have accepted the invitation 10
speak to you tonight for two reasons
first because | was asked to choose some
subject connected with education. and
second. because you are going to be
physicians. and will influence the think
ing and acting Of more people in the
next quarter of century than any other
hundred men whom | will have the oppor-
tunity to address this year,
INFLUENCE OF DOCTORS.
While not forgetting that / belong to
the most influential of all professions, If
all future results are counted yet I re-
cognize the fact that no profession equals
yours in the influence exerted upon the
generation in which It labors. All wor-
thy professions have the respect and sup
port of intelligent people but yours is
the only profession that has the absolute
confidence and affection OF the ignorant
This respect on the part of the igno-
rant may be due in part to the univer-
sal dread of sickness, pain, and death;
partly to the awe-inspiring silence and
dignity OF the typical physician, and part
~ to the fact that when he does speak.
his Ihra seoiogy, though soothing as a
mothers tender lullaby, is frequently be-
yond the comprehension of us ordinary
mortals; but universal and abiding love
cannot be secured by fear or by any
artificial eXpedients. Your powerful hold
on the affections of the public is the re-
suit OF your real service to the pub
lie.
Because of your great influence over
the ignorant, and because ignorance is
the most dangerous power in the world,
and its own worst enemy, | appeal to you.
in whatever field you may labor. to aid
my profession in its great task of leading
the ignorant into the light Of truth and
culture. My appeal is to YOU not as ply
sicians but as citizens.