The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-10-19
Close Union Shown by
interviewer History.
LEADERS OF THE STATE
A Historical Sketch Giving Gimpses
OF How During Peace and War
University and Commonwealth
Struggled, Suffered and
Achieved.


versity and the State was read by DR..
f. P. Venable before the State His
torical and Literary Society here last
night. 1t follows:
The history of the State of North
Carolina began with the adoption Of
the first constitution in December,
1875, and the history OF the Dniver-
Sity begins at the same time, Tor a
clause of that constitution declared
that 'all useful learning shall he duly
encouraged and promoted in one o.
more universities. But in the years
of struggle for liberty our fathers
found little time for carrying on: this
provision. The young men were
needed for sterner purposes than for
gathering in schools and il was rot
until 1889 when at last the foundations
of the new State had been settled.
that the charter Was granted and tn4
act of incorporation drawn 40.
The wording of that act shows how
closely the strong builders of the State
believed the fortunes, the welfare. the
history of the State to be in erWOV an
with those of the university yet TO
be. With a far-sighted vision thev
went farther than many an ardent
advocate of education of the
present day. Whereas it is the
duty of every Legislature to consult
the happiness of rising generation,
and endeavor to fit them for an hon
orable discharge of the social duties
of life, by paying the Strictest atten-
ton to their education: And whereas
an university supported by permanent
funds, and we'll endowed. woulc nave
the most direct tending to answer the
above purpose For more than one
hundred years the University thus
founded has striVen to answer TINS
purpose" in spite of The lack Of perm
y
And it has been said trulv that 10 cut
out of the history of the State the part
% ayed by the University Wonid re-
move its brightest pages.
/ do not wish to make eXtravagant
claims for the University nor to deny
to others the credit for the splendid
work they have done. The value OF
their work should be recognized and
due praise given. The field 0f tabor
is a broad one and the making CT
people requires many factors ear
after year for more than forty wears
inc University sent out bands or
trained leaders and history makers be-
fore any other institution Joined
hands with it in the work.
The making of a people. What
world of meaning lies in the words.
How it stirs one with the thoughts or
patient striving and OF long andeaVor
of struggle against untOward circum-
stances, OF mastering difficulties. OF
silent growth without observation. like
some great oak of the forest pushing
itS head up toward the sun. spreading
its giant arms to drink IN strength
from the v1ewless air ana f35tehiliS
IRIS roots in the fertile soil. adding IN
silent massive rings its record or the
years. ru
have conquered the wilderness ana
turned it into a garden. with patlent
toll they have founded their MONIES
and gathering strength with the years
are building their CITIES and taknS
thcir place in the worlds market ana
the worlds work. For this they nave
needed teachers and leaders, men VINO
knew and could impart their KNOW
edge. men VINO were strong ana coui,'
bring thugs to pass. These men must
come from the schools. The people
had a right to expect sucn men DIS the
prOduct of their school and 1t mas nol
failed them. And L NAV say that this
return from their University SO Wlseiy
founded by the fathers. and so lnad'
ouately supported by the sons. mas
been far IN excess of anything which
thew had right to expect. Inc
land on which it stands was gwen To
the State. it's buildings came from the
generosity OF loving friends ana suCI'
ondOWm ent as IL possesses from ll'
1ovaJ devotion of four noble women.
direct contribution from the puDll'
Durst. for its support or uDDulldln%.
And vet great things were expected OF
it and great lhngs have been donc.
The HISTORY of the University is So
interviewer with that of the state that
il is difficult to make distinction be-
tween the two or to select such eDochS
as would srikingiy show this close m
ter-relation. 1t would be interesting
to point out the large numoer OF iead
ers which the University has turnlshe,'
tho State-Governors Senators
Iudpes Teachers Statesmen and use
full citizens or to select some or Tie
most Gifted ones.-Gaston, Ruffins
Moreheads, Worths, Grahans, Vance
Wilev and man. other noble sons
who have played glorious part III tn%
states history But time and spaC"
yrcuId scarcely admit of such treat
mcnt of the subject. l must contcu'
myself with pointing out TO you inc
mart taken bv the sons of the UnlF"r-
sity in two great struggles which the
State has passed or is passing
First, there is the struggle for N'
rights as a sovereign State. ana thEt
the strdegle against ignorance. II tne
University has taken its part in tive
such crises then indeed has 1t written
it's history in the very life or tn
State.
The war OF 1861 was entered upor
nv North Carolina with great reiGcL
ance. The people voted against cal
for convention. When. however, lnr.
coin called for troops 10 >coerce he'
sisrer States, the issue was squarer
forced and the people entered upof
the most disastrous war OF mooer'
times with q steadfast loyalty ar,
courage which could not be eXcei!"i
"Tou can get no troops from Norts
carolina" replied Governor Ellis G
son OF the University, and he calie'
s,eciaI session of the General A.
sembIy and asked for 10000 troops
This assembly Immediately sunrIlone,
Co,,vantion and it was this convention
,wbicb took the direction of affairs .
the beginning Of the struggle and re-
mained III charge for nearly one year
The convention numbered one nun
- farty-ceven Sixty-SeVen haC