Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1920-04-29
EVERETT SPEECH



tween high mountains and over beds
of sand. He was unsuccessful in his
search. Many years elapsed. Finally
he came to the shores of the Bosporus
where its ceaseless tides between the
pillars of Hercules. And there, foot
sore and ragged and broken-hearted,
he sought forgetfulness in it's beckon-
ing bosom. 1t is said that the Mogul
diamond was found on the farm he
had sold
In the fall Of 1918 after four years
of brilliant leadership under conditions
of peace and war which Slapped his
strength and tried his soul, the news
was flashed abroad that Edward Kid
der Graham was dead. Wherever one
went about the state the question was
on every mans lips: Where shall we
find another?" Month followed month,
and no one had found an answer.
The legislature met in January.
Men from all over North Carolina
were coming up to Raleigh Every
man was asking: where shall we
find another; from what place shall
his successor come?' The answer had
not been found when thu executive
committee met in January and the
acting president read his report.
After that report was published there
no lopgar was any question as to
where the mantle OF Elisha should
rest-Marvin Hendrix Stacy was Of
the material of whiih presidents are
made!
Within tho week-cf a disease con-
tracted in tde line Of duty, while at
tending the meeting Of the committee
Dean Stacy was dead
These body blows--following in
succession, knocked this institution to
its knees. Men who had responsibility
in its safe conduct were dazed It's
friends out in the state were as those
who had no hope.
l digress here to say that it is my
steadfast belief that somewhere "On
the Slopes of Glory there is a great
university inspiring the angels with
the love of truth, and that Edward
Kidder Graham is its president and
Dean Edward Stacey is his right hand
man-while dear old Doctor Battle
collects material for its future history
His Excellency sent out a call for
the board of trustees-these men are
selected largely from the best which
the state has to offer. Each of them
had the reputation of having provided
his own calling with purpose and a
plan. They met late in January. Each |
man came with a high purpose of
service to this university but no man
had plan.
1t was finally decided that the gov
ernor be requested to appoint a com.
mittee of five whose duty it should be
to search for suitable material, |
wherever it might be found; to in.
vestigate and report. The committee |
organized by meeting here, at Chapel |
Hill, and electing DIR. Richard H |
Lewis as chairman. This university !
has never had more loyal son nor
a more devoted friend. 1t then in
yited the faculty-one by one-to ad-
wise and consult with it. AS these
able men sat with the committee
each of them had many valued sug.
gestion, many splendid plans and
specifications to present, but their
thought had not focused on a name.
The committee then asked for a
conference with men from the stu-l
dent body--men, who. by their life
and work on this campus had won
preference and honor from their fell
lows. The chairman said young
Gentlemen, now that you have come |
from under military rule and have
again put yourselves in the position
of every other group of citizens, we
are delighted to find that the transit
tion has seemed so easy and natural
that there is such an atmosphere Of |
quiet and good citizenship. How do
you account for it?"
Their spokesman said: 1.-THE answer
Z is easy: The spirit Of Or. Graham is
in this place"
The chairman said: Gentlemen, we
have asked you to come in here so
that you might tell us whom you
want for your president The spokes-
man said: "The students want man
like DR.. Graham. They want to feel,
as they go out from this place, that
they have president as good as the
best =
The chairman said: I'VE are all
agreed on that principle; but what idl1
his Manner II
With q smile half cynical, half sad, H
the spokesman said I'VE haven't got
down to names: that's your iobin