The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-05-23
commencement Exercises.

DR.. E. NJ. POteat, OF thurman, Will preacD
the commencement sermon before the Theo-
logical Seminary as well as the baccalaureate
10 the graduating classes Of the colleges.-As
ISOLATE Reformed Presbyterian.
While 1t may be perfectly true that those
who select pulpit and literary orators for
commencement occasions may believe that
no graduate Of Erskine or OF the Seminary
could deliver quite as good a sermon as DR..
Poteat, yet, from the standpoint Of a friend
who may not be correct in his opinion. it ia
still his belief that the college or the Semi
nary would honor Itself In honorlng Its "
sons.
If We are not In error another than q grad.
uate of Erskine has been invited 10 address
the graduating classes al commencement.
Even though 1t be admitted. as We may
presume that who select orators seem 10
think, that no graduate OF 'Erskine has
either the natural ability or the literary &C
ouirements or the oratorical accomplishment
or the social standing TO deliver so good q
speech as could be delivered by another, yet
we believe that the church and the public
would be better pleased at hearing an Erskine
boy, and we are quite sure that the best inter
ests OF the College would be better promoted
by recognizing the worth Of her own sons.
No unkindpess Is intended to either DR..
Poteat or other orators who have been In
vited TO speak al Due West. Their positions
are secure. They stand high. 1t Is OF no spe-
cial honor to them TO make a speech any
where. Their ability and their learning Is
known OF all men. But 1t seems to US th at 1t
is both good principle and good policy for a
1Ha -osSh ~ toe ~-r
SONS. Such recognition by a college Gets a
good eXamr le for the outside world. If a COL
lege ignores It's own graduates, the act teaches
the world to do the same. II seems 70 US to
be the chief business OF q college 10 lift up
aud TO honor the young men wno may come
from It's classes. And no denominational
College in the State stands higher, or is capa-
ole of more Influence than Erskine.
We speakaas we do in no captious spirit, but
we do so In the best Of feeling for the owl
and the college which we love SO we'll. Is
there no graduate of Erskine who is worthy
to receive sufficient consideration to be asked
to deliver the anniversary address? If so,
Why was be not asked? Is there no graduate
OF the Seminary who could deliver the com
mencement sermon? II so, why not do him
the honor OF inviting him to do SO?
A little tact in showing friendship for the
boys that 60 out from Qua West would make
for the good OF the college, and 1t would fur
nish an incentive for still greater effort on the
part of the boys.
Erskine is one OF the oldest colleges in the
State, and it no doubt seems strange 10 the
outside world that it can not furnish orators
and preachers for its big occasions. In going
out from among the graduates OF the college
to con fer honors does 1t never occur to the au.
ihorities that they may infict a wound and a
dishonor where distinguished consideration
Is most deserving?
The college is so prosperous that 1t really
does not need the friendship OF anybody. 1t
can afford to ignore It's own sons. but It's use
fulness might be increased by a different
course. and the happiness of all would be pro-
NOTED by evidences of a friendly or an inter-
ested recognition by the college Of its grad
yates.