The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1904-06-23
ALUMNI ADDRESS
Delivered at Trinity College. June 7,
1904, by Mr.. Goodwin Davis Ellis.
worth.

UIleFe OH tlle tIlFeSnOlu OI UHc yFdIS
to come, Old Trinity had trained the
intellect and fired ambition. In a
quarter of century one passes many
mile-stones of life, some by successful
ways and Others by more thorny
path. But whatever disappointments
may have come to us, l feel that
honest effort and stout endeavOr
was the armour of each mans heart
and glad indeed am today that fair
fortune has not deprived us OF her
smile
appreciate the confidence ayOuth
is apt to have upon his graduation
day. Fancy paints honors, riches,
and the desired of life within his
grasp. 'Tis an easy conquest.
"Why, then the world is mine oyster
Which with sword will OPEN
Life dispels many of these illusions,
and happily SO. That man is the
best citizen who is the architect of
his own reputation, whose giant in
dustry and sterling integrity lifts him
above his environment, be it ever so
humble, and makes the proudest and
the richest feel honored to grasp his
hand.
These are the truths which were
brought home to the class OF 80, and
il some of the glamour of life was
dimmed or the cOlors of the rainbow
made less intense, honest, stubborn
facts were ours. We were taught
conditions, not theories. would not
rob childhood of it's pleasures or
young manhood of it's promise, for
when my college days come back to
me if they bring any regret "my re-
gret has become an April violet, y
and fortunate indeed is the man who
can change an old sorrow into new
10Y. Because of all these practical,
substantial things learned in this in
stitutiOn | have never omitted an
opportunity to speak good word
for my Alma Mater. Three of the
class have gone to meet their reward
and the remainder have brought nc
reprOach upon their instructors. The
beloved and lamented Craven left his
impress for good on the hearts OF al
his students. He has reflected nc
more credit upon the college thar
3. upon the State. Greater Trinity il
now our pride and boast. The com
parisOn which my own memory
} enables me to make between th'
spirit and the work of this institu
ton, as it was and as it is, is ltsel
+ an enthusiastic tribute to it's recen
progress and increased beneficence
!. Surely the people of the State have ;
q satisfaction, never greater than to
day, in the bearing and fruit of Trim
= ity College. Its present administra
ton has made the college felt in ever.
fibre of the life of the State, DRAWN:
from the outer world ever fresh mate
!: rial to fit the youth of Trinity for til
q worlds work.
|. The pessimists, who always go ma
!, with the summer heat, who alway
y find so much to criticise in the spot
/. on the sun, that they almost max
the sun itself a failure, and who dra'
| all their axioms and maxims frOr
| conditions that obtain in some {
! the large cities of our union, woul
| find their occupation gone, were the
| to take up their abode in the border
: of the Old North State. Boodler
= NAV stalk abroad, but not in TIL
legislative halls OF old North Care
n lima. Money may buy offices, but ha
| not vet bought them here. The prit
II of her judiciary is at least abo>
| | rubies, as well it may be, for that
| the price of wisdom. Life, libert.
| and the pursuit OF happiness are il
| sured. Property is secure. Ord'
| prevails. Industry thrives. Chart
| abounds. Evidences of soul can
| found without the aid of the micr
iii scope in her corporations. Her LAY
| yers earn modest fees. Her phys
II clans meet in happy conclave. Bl
| the price of all this is vigilance. The
| is danger, danger from greed. Da
II ger from intolerance and narrowne
II above and ignorance below, dang
II from lack of that generous cultu
which lifts man to the exercise
II the best things in his fellows. Al
II to meet this danger the State st
H looks with renewed hope to the trai
II ing, the influence, the inspiration
. her institutions of education; and
. none more than to Trinity COLES
for that institution of learning serv
the best purpose which inspires
= students to think noblest, for actiO
Il are but reflex thoughts.
~ If were to choose text to spe
to cn this occasion, it should be tn
first imperative decree uttered to
darkness of Chaos, Fiat Lux
there be Light! l have often thoue
, that if learning has patron saint
Al good genius to whom her votar
should appeal, it must surely
Phosphor, the Light-giver, the Llg
bringer, that splendid embodimt
d, of luminosity who first flooded W
radiance the benighted world. Lig
as Milton says. Light ethereal, ID
of things, quintessence pure, this
- is that colleges are built for. Low
H. says, Light is the symbol OF trut
and it is equally a symbol OF 10
- for the very plants turn their ia
. toward it with joyous preference:
the light that illumines the worlo
either from the sun or the studer
lamp. 1t is to be remembered, h'
uleyer. that the illumination OF
y world is due not only to the lear
but largely to the unlearned-
those who have never had the adv
tage of a liberal education, and
J. former will hold their own in
competition, not by compiacen
q