The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-05-06
M E N, w O M E N
 A NJ D T H 1 N c $

AaA6 b0hCAt ehC ObhSA'
 The only compensating thing about visit to Marion is that after one reaches it he loses the memory of the tedious journey in the pleasure he gets out of the quaint old place and it's lovely people, who have never lost or quit the art of entertaining.
 It was just the least bit out of the or dinary that my engagements should have taken me within few days to two of the most typical towns in the state. Athens is the best type of the north Alabama city, just as Marion is of south Ala bama, and each in its way has attrac- tions all it's own.
 For some years my friend, Colonel Wal ter Lee Murfee, president of the Marion institute, has kindly invited me either to preach the commencement sermon or de- liver the baccalaureate address, but un- call or something came up to cut me out of the pleasure of visit to the great military institution.
 
 Sometimes I think that if it had not been for my home town of Eufaula and Marion that Alabama would have been thinly populated, but when l know just how mary people these two charming south Alabama towns have given to the rest of the state, I am not surprised that there is always a substantial increase in it's citizenship at the taking of each new census. Birmingham has been peculiarly fortunate in drawing on both of them.
 In the long line of educators who have attained more than statewide reputation there is none whose memory will live longer than that of Col. James T. Murfee, the distinguished Vrginian who came to the University of Alabama before the war between the states and from the day of his arrival to that of his death was a conspicuous figure in the life Of his adopted state.
 I'll not take time here to speak of his work atthc university or of his connec- tion with Howard college. but will con- fine myself to a brief statement about the founding of the Marion Military in-, stitute, which under his personal direc- tion and since through his sons, H. o. and W. L has made reputation for itself as a school of national importance.
 While 1t may be known to it's alumni and a few in the educational life of Ala bama, I feel sure that the general pub lie iS unaware that Marion institute IS the only school in America specializing been officially recognized by the war de- partment and designated as one of the ten "honor schools of the nation. l think that this is a matter of pride not merely to it's president, faculty, alumni, patrons and student body, but to all pa- triotic Alabamians.
 Bear in mind that this is no empty honor lightly conferred, but that the in- spectons leading to this distinction had view not only to military efficiency, but to faculty, equipment, sanitation, meth ods. morale and to all points that go to make up a frst-class educational insti- tution. Marion institute is the only col lege in America specializing in army and navy courses that has met with this dis tinction.
 It is small wonder, then, that coveted a chance to speak to cadet corps which d., +l,e oe3x <1r tn such favored southern and Alabama in stitution from 40 states. and from Canada, Cuba Porto Rico. Mexico, Brazil and Peru. It was an opportunity in com mencement address to be able to address practically league of nations" I all most felt as if at last my feeble but willing voice was being heard interna- Htionally.
 If the foreign countries enumerated above give to the institution cosmo- politan character, it may be of interest to learn that for the approaching session students have already been enrolled from Egypt Nicaragua, France, the Domini- can republic, and it seems to me that this is going some for an Alabama school. The melting pot of the nations will have plenty of material in which to brew true Americana, for it's the aim of the institute to train in American citizenship.
 The students drawn from the world at large come to no new upstart institution. but to a chartered educational college with an origin dating back to lS42. Its buildings and equipments are thoroughly |up-to-date. It has it's own water supply, its own electric lighting plant it's own cold storage. its own gardens. It's campus is an inspiration with it's great acreage with ample room for it's athletic fields, parade grounds and rifle ranges.
 Its faculty is composed of men from the leading American universities. the Naval academy West Point, and from the army, men who demonstrated their ability to teach, and who are specialists in fitting candidates for the requirements Of the government academies and the great universities. The military training is under the direction of tre war depart ment. but the military duties do not in any way interfere with the academic pro- gramme.
 But an institution may have spacious and beautiful grounds. It may be won derfully well housed It may have all necessary equipment. It may boast of r xIAo