The coastland times., 1952-03-28


liam r. Davie on the floor of the
General Assembly in 1889 plead
ing for a charter in fulfillment of
that promise; Samuel McCorkle
speaking at the laying of the cor
nerstone of Old East Building in
1793-"Liberty and Laws call for
general knowledge in the people,
and extensive knowledge in the
ministers of state;" Davie speak
ing out again in the year of the
University's opening to proclaim
its purpose to train "citizens cap
able of comprehending, improving
and defending the principles of our
government" Governor Alexander
Martin in the early 1800's express
ing the hope that from this Uni
versity might be "drawn men of
ability to fill the different depart
ments of government with reputa-
tion;" David Lowry Swain in 1885
coming into the Presidency of this
University to give the first specific
college course in the structure and
the workings of federal, state, and
local governmental institutions.
With our minds eye we could
see Elisha Mitchell going out from
this campus in the early 1800's to
survey town sites, locate county
seats, and establish county boun-
daries; Joseph Caldwell going out
in the 1820's to work with state
and local legislative bodies on
statewide railroad building pro-
gram; Alderman and McIver going
out in the 1880's and COS to con-
duct institutes for town and county
teachers in the public schools;
Branson going out in the 1920's
with his pioneering explorations in
the uncharted fields of county gov
ernment. AS their pictures floated
through our vision, like a bell from
distant hilltops we could hear their
voices, feel something of their
strength and virtue flowing into
us, and know that we had touched
the hem of the garment of a great
tradition.
l run the risk of sacrilege by
confessing here tonight that in
that thrilling moment we could see
men of the Institute of Govern
ment going out from this campus
in the 1905, 40's, and SOS to work
with officials in the cities, coun-
ties, and departments of the state;
witness their joint and interacting
efforts building new university
of public officials within the
framework of the old University of
North Carolina; and through riffs
in the clouds catch vision of the
light blue streaks of future dawns
in which the first state University
to open its doors to the sons and
daughters from the homes and
firesides of the people becomes
the first state University to open
it's doors to officials and employees
from the city halls, the county
courthouses, and the state depart
ments of the people.
AS this confession. lets you in
upon our fireside dreamings of the
Institute of Government in this
unbroken line of great succession,
/ have a feeling l am inviting the
penalty that fell on Uzzah when
he touched the Ark. But I think l
do not need to tell you that even
in our dreams we are not stepping
on the toes of men and women who
have gone before US in this path,
we are standing on their shoul-
ders-with the humility of those
who know too well their all too
human limitations, with the pride
of those who feel the lifting power
of a great tradition, and with the
resolution of those who would not
be found wanting in the days to
come.
In the glow of this tradition, and
in this family gathering where
sympathetic hearts lean close and
understand, / feel free to tell you
how / came to this campus in 1914
as an ignorant and awkwark fresh
man, lived here for four years of
growth in knowledge and power,
and in that Transforming process
learned the meaning of "Alma
Mater" / feel free to tell you how
my wife came here as bride in
1928, for four years and more of a
student generation traced the
story of student government thru
the records Of an institutions life
time, and in that Transforming pro-
cess learned for herself the mean
ing of "Alma Mater" In the fell
lowship of fellow alumni we
acknowledge this award on this
enchanted evening. And with a
feeling that is no less strong be-
cause it is unutterably tender, to
this Alma Mater of us both we say:
We wish we might bring in report
Of greater service; for we could
not bring report Of greater love.