The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-05-28

labor and conquest. There is no longer
reason for a man to leave North Carolina
-or any other Southern State-in order
to WOO fortune or secure recognition.
Here is opportunity. The slowly rising
curtain discloses visions of such prosperity
as your fathers never dreamed of. Who
can doubt that in the coming years the
Lord will make us CAD according to the
days wherein He hath afflicted us, the
years wherein we have seen evil?
"Here, too, is obligation. North Caro-
lina-the whole South-has paramount
claims upon her educated sons. 1t will be
mainly through their plotting that Scylla
and Charybdis are to be Stunned and safe
harborage found. The skies are not all
serene. Dangers and difficulties are to be
nice adjustments made. But these things
will only prove, while they harden, the
fibre of your manhood.
what have the college men of this State
to do with banishing from our borders
the drink evil in its protean forms? They
have everything to do with it. Whaty
they can do is shown by the achieve
ments. already. of some of our younger
alumni. But the labors Of more than one
Hercules WI be required to sluice the
stables. If the alumni of the colleges of
this State will with tongue and pen, and
with social and religious influence strive
for wise and practical legislation. the next
General Assembly viii take still further
steps toward the suppression of this
blighting curse and the protection Of
home and womanhood.
"Anovner cloud dims the prevailing
sunshine. 1t is less dark and ominous
than for generation past, but the pres
ence among us of millions of an alien and
inferior race will create for the men of
your generation, as it has for mine,
situation which viii demand the utmost
wisdom, courage and patience. And this
condition is az the more battling, because
we question history in vain for chart
through the untravelled maze.
"Three facts may, / believe, be regard
ed as certain. First: That white and
black people, both in increasing numbers,
are going to remain and live. together in
this State Second, that there will be no
internarriaRe between these races and,
that this may be the case, there viii be nc
social equality Third, that for his own
good and aim the black man will hence
forth be eliminated as a potent factor
| from the political life of the State. These
things are finally settled
'sCan we, under these conditions, live
side by side and tread together the paths
of peace, friendliness and prosperity /
believe it to be possible. Tie practical
answer must be given by the educated
white men of the South. They. ultimately,
are the shapers of public opinion. HitheT-
to we have been embarrassed by criticism
and interference, sometimes friendly,
sometimes impertinent, from beyond our
borders. These later months have wit
messed marvellous and happy change IN
this sentiment We are now, for the first
time, at liberty, comparatively unhamp-
cred to set our own house in order. And
/ this fact imposes tremendous RESPONSE
bility. Conscience, as we'll as expediency
and tact, must be summoned into the
council as we face the future.
/ "The educated men of our State, in pro-
portion as they recognize essential man
hood and endowments Of personality IN
the negro; in proportion as they mete out
even-handed Justice and frown upon I'M
warranted infection of penalties; in pro-
portion as they, being stronger and wiser
and rulers by the grace of God, render low
i ing service to a weak and ignorant people
and deny opportunity to none, they-the
educated white men-will make this State
a veritable garden of plenty and peace
for the people of both races. If these fail
to lift and carry this burden in the fear
of God. woe unto our children and our
childrens children.
Gas lover of my country, ] speak from
the high ground of ethics and religion.
For, in the situation which will confront
you young men, an ounce of religion will
i ~ l. - kRFps-f
points out the road-the only road-which
leads to permanent safety and peace.
Another onerous task which the future
will require of you educated men is the
total obliteration of the stigma which
| illiteracy has branded upon the good narc
of North Carolina. This task cannot he
completed in a day, or year, or decade.
But it can be done. 1t must be done.
And you young men must help to do it.
"Thank God. the skies are Frightening
Around the edges of this waning cloud can
be discussed its silver lining.
"It has been through the leadership of
educated men that the rank and file of
our people have been shaken from their
/ long slumber. 1t viii be through this
same eading that thorough awakening,
! enthusiasm. sacrifice, local taxation, re-
adjustment of districts will come to pass,
| little by little, first in one section, then
in another. AS the object lessons of sue
cess multiply, interest will become con
! tagious until the whole lump be leavened.
"To what nobler ambition can you
young graduates yield than to the ex-
penditure of thought and labor in move
ment which vitality concerns the material
and social and religious welfare of
whole people and their posterity?
"And now, young gentlemen, farewell.
This is no unmeaning form of words.
For, that you may farewell" in this life
and in the life to come is our earnest
prayer and hope for each one of you
At the conclusion of DR.. Taylor's ad-
dress Rev Livingston Johnston came for
ward, and in his pleasing and earnest
manner presented to the college the por-
trait of DR.. Alfred Dockery, a gift of DR..
Dockery's brothers
The portrait Of the late Hon. E. X.
Proctor, of Lumberton, N. c., was next
presented in a few timely and appropriate
words by Prof. ]. B. Carlyle.
President Taylor now arose and an
nounced that instead of the usual report
of the board of trustees they would now
have a speech from Prof j. b. Carlyle