Year: 1866

mer occasions to visit McAllstervilie


have been obliged, much against my will,
to give a negative reply. 1t gives me
pleasure finatiy to be in your midst, to
stand beneath the shadow OF these grand
old mountains, to look upon these broad
rich acres of well cultivated land, and to


behold this goodIy heritage which you
here enjoy.


BIT this seat of learning gives evidence
that you hare net devoted your energies
exclusively to the dcvelopement Of their


physical resources, to the art OF hus-


bandry; Or exclusively to the accumula-
tiou of wealth. For many years this seat
of learning has borne an enyiable reputa-
ton, when the arts and sciences have been
cultivated by your children This insti-


tuition could not have been founded and
supported, had it not been in the midst OF
a people who valued intellectual culture,
and who have manifested constant and
fostering care in its growth and prosper
ity.


1t is now devoted to the education of
Soldiers Orphans, and we have assembled
to commemorate the laying of the corner
stone of an extension to these buildings.


And what is the significance Of these


broad and deep laid foundation stones,
and these piles Of brick and mortar with


which it is proposed to rear this imposing
structure.


In the first place it indicates tha: there
is some one, who possesses energy aud en-
terprize and perseverance and an eye 70
business, who is moving in this matter


Magic sometimes accounts f0rappearanees,
but magic does not lay the deep founda'
tions, and rear the lofty superstruc:ure.
And when we look about US for the man
who has conceived and planned, and, Gcd
willing, will execute it, we find that it is
one who in the dark days of the rebellion
went with a cheerful heart into the SER
vice IF his country, willing to hazard limb
and life if need be, and who in that bloody
day in the battle Of Gettysburg, stood at
his post and by his men till he was cut
down by the enemies bullets, and who for
these three long years has suffered from
his wounds what none Of US who are sound
of limb can tell whom we should judge
to be doing we'll if he were able to nurse
his wounds and keep himself comfortable;
but who, notwithstanding his manned con-
dition aud his suferings has during the
p-st two years actually been engaged il
more business than almost any half dozen
men you meet. He it is who plans and
executes all this work.


But there is deeper significance to
which these preparations point. This e1-
tension is really monument to the intel
ligence and public spirit Of the people in
this beautiful valley, and Of the neighbor-
hood of counties which this school will 10
future time represent. Would this vast
expense be incurred if it was not believed
that the people here so value high grade
of intellectual culture that they will in
coming years literally support this seat of
learning? For this enlargement is made
for something beyond the education Of
Soldiers Orphans which must in few
years cease 1t is erected for a more en-
during purpose. 1t is not expected that
these substantial walls will crumbe into
dust at the end of the few years for which |
these orphans schools will be needed. 1t |
is therefore in deeper and broader
sense noble monument to the intelligence
and love of learning Of the people who
are here represented.


1t is sometimes argued that it is q need |
less expenditure of money to support in
stituti0ns for imparting liberal learning, |
that knowledge barely sufficient to Trans |
act the ordinary business Of life, and to
supply the ordinary wants Of the body is |
enough. Bat what is it tha: gives digni |
ty and power, and influence to people ? |
L. is the liberal diffusion OF intelligence.
Indeed we may look at this matter in its
lowest form, even in pecuuiary point Of |
view, aud intelligence is a good invest
ment WhG. is it that gives value to my |
friends beautiful farm yorder across the
way! 1t is that it is located in civil |
lied country and in the midst of an intel
ligens people. Take up this same farnl
bodily, if such thing WIRE possible, and
set i, down amid the wigwams of the
Chocktaw Indians, and what would It he
worth? Not worth the having. Fer
little worthless paint, a few party co!ored
beads, and bottle Of whisky it could be
bought every day in the week. 1t might
produce equally well then, the climate
might be even more saiubrious than here.
But it is intelligence that gives value to
hat farm. 1t is indeed the man of intel


gencc that commands the highest wages
n every employment. Go into the ina.
chime shops scattered along our great line
If railway and ask who it is that com
nands the highest wages, and you will be
old that it is the man OF intelligence
Enter any one Of the many minuIactnr-
NC establishments scattered over the
whole State and ask who it is that is con-
,idered worthy to be at the head of them
Ind who it is that for his services receives
he highest salary and you will be told
hat it is the man who possesses the great
,st intelligence.


But this is indeed the lowest view that
We can take Of the case. We are created !
or something higher than to accumulate
What will perish with the using, and will ,