The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1907-10-15
DR.. MCKELWAY
At UNIVERSITY
He Delighted the Large
Audience That Heard Him
CEPTiONLAST NIGHT
President Nenable Shows Progress
For Past Year-Great Day Celc-
brated by Students and
iIumui.
Alumni.
Especial to News and Observer.)

Especial to News and Observer.)
Chapel Hill, y. g, oct. 12--One
hundred and fourteen years ago today
Colonel William Il. Davie and a band
Of sturdy, rugged North Carolinidns
assembled under the old Davle poplar
which stands today at the center OF
the University campus, ana decTeed
that on this spot higher learning ana
culture should be henceforth pfornul-
gated in North Carolina To-Day the
old tree, which marks the birthplace
Of the States center OF learning, ana
beneath whose classic shades many
of the men whose untiring energy,
determination and iHde-
fatigability of purpose has pIdced tn1
Old North State in the foremost RANK,
gathered their learning and insplfa-
lion, still stands guard as d stately
sentinel over the welfare OF the Cn4-
yersity. The storms of over a hun
dred winters have left their scars on
its surface, however, until today only
the trunk and a few feeble branches
are left to tell the story OF q youth OF
strength and power.
Almost parallel with the decay OF
the old tree which stood as a sllent
witness to the erection OF the old
East, the University's first building,
has beer the steady growth and
achievement of the University itself,
until oday it's stands in the fore
ground with the greatest southern IN
situations of learning.
In accordance with a long eStaD-
Iished custom, October 18th, the
birthday of the University, has been
set aside as a holiday, and fitting and
pr>per exercises held to commemor-
ate this great event IN university NE.
Formerly these exercises consisted
merely of a few short speeches and
the reading of the presidents report,
and as a consequence very Few stu
dents attended and very little interest
and enthusiasm was MANIFESTED. Be
ginning with last year, however, a
new idea was conceived by the Presl-
dent and Faculty, which if it could be
put into successful operation, would
tend to increase the attendance n
give this day its rightful significance
in University life. That the plan was
a brilliant success was evidenced by
the number of students, faculty n
alumni in attendance. and the new
spirit and enthusiasm that was mani
tested on all sides.
Today the same plan was carried
out with even greater results, and
using this as a basis it is safe to pre-
diet that in a few years University
Day will not only be the biggest day
in University life. but will be observ-
ed all over the State as well.
Precisely at 10:45 the student body
seven undre and sixty strong, as
semble in front of Alumni Hall and
proceeded to gather into groups COM
posed of the various classes, in the fol-
lowing order: PoSt-Graduates, Semi
ors, Juniors, Sophomores, Freshmen,
Law, and Medical students. The body
was headed by the entire faculty
dressed in caps and gowns which lent
an air of dignity and refinement to
the occasion. The University band,
just in front, struck up a lively air,
and the whole procession, nearly a
mile in length, marched toward the
hotel, and across the quadrangle, then
UP to Memorial Hall, by the Old West
Building.
After the audience had become seat
ed, and the University Orchestra had
finished the opening selection, Presi-
dent Nenable made a short opening
address, after which DR.. Thomas
Hume offered an eloquent and inspir-
ing prayer.
The next feature On the program
was the singing of the University
Hymn by the choir and students. The
blending of seven hundred male voices
which, completely filled the old hall
with melody, was an inspiration within
itself.
Next came the Presidents report,
which IS published on page twenty
our.
After the singing of the University
Hymn, President Venable in a few
words containing a touch of humor.
introduced DR.. st. Clair Mckelway, of
Brooklyn, N. Y, as the speaker of the
occasion.
DR.. McKelway by his charming per-
sonality and the pleasing manne of
his address, caught the attention of
his hearers at the outset. and held it
to the end. His subject, touching on
the present relation betWeen North
and South. was one in which all Uni
versity students are vitality interested,
and his address without a single dis
senting voice, was pronounced one of
the best ever delivered from the ros-
trum of Old Memorial Hall. His
speech appears III full in to-morrow's
News and Observer.
Owing to the unavoidable absence
of several of the Alumni who had
consented to be present and voice the
greetings from their chapters, that
with, with the exception of several
kilograms which the President read,
and after the singing of the Old
Aiunnus Song the benediction was
pronounced and the audience separ-
ated, each feeling that the occasion
was a complete success. and would
furnish food for pleasant recollections
for many years to come.
Tonight a brilliant reception was
rendered h visiting alumni. friends
and members OF the Senior classes by
the faculty. The reception was held
in the new Carnegie Library and an
attractive and elaborate program Ear
ried out. This reception proved to be
a fitting climax to the celebrations OF
the day, and will be long remembered
by all who attended.