The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-01
.0PELIKA HEARS
 DR CUNNINGHAM Speaks at Laying of Corner
 Stone for School WAS BRILLIANT ADDRESS The Doctor Was at His Best and Kept
The Doctor Was at His Best and Kept His Hearers Entertained for an Hour-Was Given a Warm
 Reception.

Opelika. October 31.-(Special) )-Today was a gala day in opelika. After many years of effort the people got together in the matter of a school building commen- surate with the city's needs, and now magnificent $2o,O00 structure is going up. The occasion here today was the laying of the corner stone, which was laid with appropriate Masonic ceremonies. large crowd had gathered at noon under the shades of the oaks to watch the exer- cises and hear the address of/Dr. R. M. Cunningham, nominee of the democratic party for lieutenant governor.
 After prayer by the Rev. W. C. Bled- soc, grand chaplin of the Masonic fra ternity of Alabama, the deposits were made in the corner stone and quite a number of interesting things were con- tributed. After the corner stone was laid, Dr. R. M. Cunningham. the official head of the Masons of Alabama, ad- dressed the audience.
 Dr. Cunningham was at his best, and spoke for an hour. The speaker dealt with universal life, in the most minute detail. He began in the morning of time and led them to high noon as typi- fled by the twentieth century. He show ed that education was the door by which all entered into advancement of any kind; that education made us better able to comprehend the things of life; and the higher things on which the soul could rest it's hopes; that it was the lever with which to move the world; that 1t made broader and better all the walks of life; that it gave to the humblest in the land a power that even death could never tame; that it taught reverence Of the manifold blessings of God and made light and lovely all the walks Of lie; that education was the morning and the even ing star of life
 He showed the benefits derived from learning and that in the affairs of the world one was handicapped badly with out learning.
 He showed how the man at the fur mace takes the inanimate mass Of ore lime and other materials and knowing how to treat them, made the iron ana steel which forms the backbone Of the commerce of the world ana how, there fore he received most excellent salaries; how the farmers, by being educated could know so much about the hidden intricacies of the curious life of the veg etable world that he could turn many things to his advantage and improve his condition. How education would bring refinement and content and give us the strength to see and know better than under any other circumstances.
 to all of those who in time of peace wear The speaker said he was glad to see the magnificent building being reared. It meant progress, enlightenment and edu- cation beyond the very utmost words or a prophet. It was an augury of light a window in the clouds of darkness, bow above the storm, a star above the sea, an oasis in the desert, so to speak. He paid high tribute to all who study and who learn, to all of those who help, and to all of those who In time of peace, who wear no medals, fight the good fight and keep the faith and wear the invisible crown of laurels on their brow. He said he was in favor of taxing bachelors to help support the schools for the bach elors had no one to send. Dr. Cunning ham produced a profound impression and the people paid high tribute to the man they had selected for the second highest office in their gift