The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-02-14

CAD prove An aupl Al charged WIN TSSu
lating the weather. 1t is rare that the an
lniversary, held always on the second Fri
day in February is not held in about the
worst weather of the year. But, il you
are so fortunate as to be here and enjoy
the warmth of the all pervading hospi-
tally, you forget the carpet of snow and
the chilly winds singing around the corner
of the stately buildings on the campus
The sixty-ninth anniversary of the two
societies brought to this village-Gt is
growing so rapidly that it will soon be
a large town)-Quite a company of beau
tlful young ladies to make the occasion
perfect. incidentally few trustees, faith
ers and mothers Of students and visitors
were here to enjoy the debate and meet
their friends, but the boys had eyes only
for the bevy of lovely girls who graced
the event. They were out in force at the
debate, and to hear the oratiens. as well
as at the social function that closed the
day. At the latter. though the invited
the current slang goes. Raleigh sent out
carloads OF charming bellies, and if
thought they out .hone the bellies of other
towns and cities. it is simply because it
is a habit of Raleigh girls to do this
habit that has descended frsm mother
to daughter in every generation from the
ina aEa
because, as he said, he had not
found so many beautiful women
in any other town in America But
there were bellies here, too, from Rich
nond and other cities from other States
| VINO We'd in grace and beauty with those
FROM North Carolina towns and cities, and
many students heart beat faster be-
cause Of the bright eyes and smiling faces
of their fair guests. There is fctisA
heTe that this anniversary occasion is
held to hear debate upon some topic
| of current interest and Importance, and to
test the ability Of the best orators. And
the boys are out in full force to hear
show their interest and craftsmanship by
appLauding and thereby cheering the mem
/ Der of their own society. But I believe
that the debates and Grations are ar
ranged chiefly in order to make an occa-
sion that will bring to the college the
large number of young women whose pres
eIce makes the occasion q success. What
weuld anniversary be without tbs re-
ception and the girls! 1t would be like the
play Of Hamlet with Hamlet left out.
ptasis upon the work of the literary
societies. Young men are encouraged to
write and speak. and the weekly debates
are the chief objects OF interest in col
lese life. 1t is by this that students de-
velop their talent to speak and the train
/ ing here is responsible for the success
in public speaking attained hy many
! graduates. The tendency of this age OF
srindles and industrialism is to mini
n.ize the value Of ability to SPEAK well in
public. OF course no training can make
ent, but our schools and colleges ought
, to try to teach every graduate to learn
how to speak we'll in public. The public
have a right to expect of men holding
| ''sheep-skins" that they be able to tell
what they know, and yet how many
scholars humble and fall down if they
mary or church meeting. At college these
men have "boned" hard and mastered the
course, but have neglected to cultivate
the one thing that will give them the
power to lead in their communicating
ability to express thems elves well in pub
lie. 1t Is too often the case that col
speaking, and sits silently when men OF
less knowledge take charge of the meet
ing The debate and orations here today
shows that Wake Forest is maintaining
it's reputation for turning out men who
can speak we'll in public. Every man, IT
one time or another feels the need of be-
ing able to give expression to his opln-
ions in convention or conference, and yet
many of the wisest among us have neg
lected to cultivate the talcnt-and their
State and community have lost leadership
that would have been a power for good.
Il
1t is just twenty years this year since
DR.. Charles E. Taylor became president
of Wake Forest College. He had been
professor prior to his elevation to tac
presidency. He was made executive be-
cause of his wisdom, spirit OF just .ce, ripe
scholarship, and capacity to govern. In
these twenty years, undcr his inspiring
leadership. this college has gore for
ward by leaps and bounds He has nct
figured largely in the public eye, he has
| not been spectacular, and has made no
grand stand plays. He has sought to
unite the church by broad spirit of toI-