Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1912-12-14
CW0NEl. EDWARDS
ADDRESS At WESLEYAN
Most Interesting Historical Paper on West Vir-
ginia People.
HONORARY DEGREE Is CONFERRED
DEGREE Is CONFERRED
ustrious Citizen, After Receiving Degree Of Honor at
Wesleyan College, Gives Stirring Address to Fel-
lovpCitize1s-Pays High Tribute to Ancestry
of West observation-disclosures Degree
With Appreciation of Honor Be-
slowed Upon Him

Carnegie Library, In New York City,
as the ten most popular books Of the
year. His other volumes have been
widely read and most favorably criti.
clZed by the press and literary critics.
But IT remained for one Of the most
prominent educational institutions In
his native State, Of which Colonel Ed.
wards is so justly proud, to honor him
publicly
He was first made an honorary trus
tee OF Wesleyan College, and some
months ago the faculty Of that institu
ton suggested further honors at their
hands. They decided to confer the
degree of Doctor Of Literature upon
him If he would accept the honor, and
the ceremonies today we're the result
President Doney fixed the date and is.
sued the invitations, which were re-
sponded to by several hundred Of West
Virginia citizens, who witnessed the
comforting Of the degree upon CoIone,
Edwards.
Rev. Dr.. S. K. Arbuthnot, promi
nent Wheeling clergyman, delivered
the Invocation upon the opening Of the
exercises. Then a most decidedly In.
terest1ng program was rendered, in
Guiding classical numbers by the Ma
son Orchestra, the mems college glce
club and the girls college glee club
Probably one Of the finest and mos!
appropriate features Of the program,
was the singing Of 1.-The Hymn of the
West Nfrginians," first by the mona
glee club and at the close by the en-
tire audience The song was written
by Colonel Edwards, the guest Of hon
or at Wesleyan today, and is the new
song Of the State.
Gov. Giasecock's Tribute.
Governor Glasscock wns then pro-
sented. His tribute was In the fol-
lowing:
1t affords me great deal Of pleasure
to be with you on this occasion, and
especially SO whom 1 know that you
are to confer today al honorary de-
gree upon one Of West Virginia's dis-
tinguished citizens, man who has not
only distinguished himself in the world
of letters, but in the world of buslp ess
as WE'LL and not only in the world OF
business, but In the moral and social
world; and not only so, but he has al
ready distinguished himself somewha t
In the political world as we'll, anC,
while this Is not political occasion,
and l shall not try to make it such,
yet / feel that under all the circum-
stances this college Will not be oD-
posed If he is still further honored
and he still further distinguishes him
self in the political world, as I be-
lieve he is going to do. / think this
college honors itself when 1t honors
William Seymour Edwards as 1t pro-
poses to do today
President Thomas E. Hodges. Of the
State University, made one Of the
best speeches Of his life, and among
other things said:
The late Nj. e. Babcock was once
quoted as saying: II don't want to
grow less by Degrees but DO not see
any reason for his saying so, nor do
] Gee any reason for any one to think
that such an occasion as brings as
together here today is anything else
than one Of great interest and great
Importance. Why should not an insti-
tuition of learning recognize distiu-
guished service? The dominant note
in modern education is the note Of
service, and while the secular schcol
can not In such large degree do SO,
yet the colleges such as this, main.
tained by a great religious denomlna.
ton, can fearlessly and boldly lift
above them and$fling to the breeze
the banner Of the cross and proclaim
that the education for which they
stand shall be the service exemplified
by the master Of men Why then is