Franklin's paper the statesman., 1910-04-23
Loyalty to
Alma Mater
Washington brascA Of Waberf@ce Uaker
sly Alumni ASsoclatioa Held Monster Ed.
ucatioaa Rally w. I. ve1oa's
Speech htrodvcha PresNcat Taft
Attrsetise NaBcsa Attesasa.

At monster meeting held In Wash.
lngton recently by the graduates OF
Wilberforce co. university In the In.
terest of that institution President
Taft. who was present and spoke, was
introduced by Register Of the Treas
ury W. T. Vernon. The speech OF Mr..
Vernon has attracted 80 much atten.
ton that we give 1t In full
Mr.. Vernon said:
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies' and Gentlemen
He needs no Introduction whose name Il
. household word throughout the civilised
world.
l rise to express the deep appreciation
We OF the t;;aberforce club feel for this
great act OF friendship and helpfulnesl
extended Us by the ruler OF the creates,
government on earth. This would be true
apart from hitherto evidenced friendship
for those institutions committed to the
uplift OF the race. but when for Year,
every request for such announcement has
net with ready assent. every appeal been
Anrmatively answered. as IL now ths
case. while nothing could Increase ths
honor done US. We are all the more crate
full.
Fortunate was wilberforce universit,
a. to location. Bishop Payne. realizing
that the ignorance that binds mems sou,
10 more Calling even than chains and thA,
q peoples strength remains forever de.
rivitive uniess they have those ouaiiaca.
uons which place them in harmony with
their fellows by reason Of acknowledged
merit and ability. sought Ohio as the
place. where had settled the New Eng.
lander With IDEAS OF liberty and freedom
for all mankind.
Here men had gathered to build a state
where opportunity to rise would be unre.
strictcd. where there would be no bonds
men, where nil would be free-free to la.
Dor. free 10 aspire and free TO enjoy the
heritage education and enlightenment give
TO all mankind
Here the spirit OF the aboiitionist still
abides. In that early day-the day when
heroes wrought - wilberforce knew the
friendship Of Joshua r. Giddings. Salmon
r. Chase and Benjamin Wade Associ-
aetd with them as q friend to this insti-
tuition and the people II sought to elevate
was also another great juwist and states
man. equally devoted and helpfui-Aiphon.
20 Taft. the illustrious sire OF him who q
generation later comes to assist wilber-
force tonight.
The people for whom these labored had
for 80 years sung the sorrow songs. bu,
as a result Of what these men did and
the work Of intervening years on this
night OF such encouragement report this
race begins to sing the sonEs OF triumph.
Their souls awakened: they saw ths
light These men indcxed the way. A
race grew a. II behcld and followed.
Now. a generation later, man are preach.
Ing the doctrine Of altruisin. Philanthro.
p!sts arc giving with a muninccnee hith-
erto unknown TO all movements making
for the worlds beitcrfnent.
The tendency OF all our civilization 10
toward association on right principles,
helpful cooperation, tolcration and jus.
ticc. and this altruistic trend IL ever en-
larging as It uplifts and biesses ali con.
dItions OF mankind.
To put ourselves In touch with this
great trend IL the desire Of the race
throughout America We realize that hon
est effort. whether In the lowly walks or
along the higher Ines. duty done every
day everywhere. can have but one result
sure and lasting progress.
We. too. are working toward that far
on day when war shall cease. when pow
erty. crime. Observation-Disclosures and all
that give distress to the humbiest crsa-
iure shall be no more.
Inspiring II Ia TO have with Us the head
Of the nation. aiding our efforts for edu-
Gated Christian citizenship. for that right
eousness that
~ Preside