4
THE BATTALION.
Then, standing- amid the sacred memories of the first
century of the rule of our race upon this continent, and up
on the golden threshold of a second, I ask: will not the
second be grander than the first? We believe it will.
The world is growing better, the people are acting and
thinking. They are more kind, there is more love. We
are all free.
We look back upon the countless ages that have pass
ed,. we see the present grandeur of the achievements of
man. Then we look forward to the endless train of com
ing* centuries, and still we see the progress of man ad
vancing*, mounting and successfully riding the rolling bil
lows of all opposing forces. Our possibilities are grand!
We have only to reach forth our hand and pluck the fruit
that has been maturing through all these ages.
Honorable Board of Directors: It is a fact which his
tory records, that in the government of a nation or of an
institution of this kind, there comes a time when the fu
ture welfare of that nation or of that institution rests up
on the sound judgment of a few men. Such, Sirs, was
the case with you when the stainless soul of the immortal
Ross winged Its flight into a better world. You have
proved yourself worthy of vour trust, you have stood by
this College in its darkest hour of trial; and, now, when
the blessed light of prosperity has burst upon it, you may
well feel proud of the rank it has taken among the other
colleges of this State.
Beloved President: When I think of the wonderful
work you have already accomplished for this College, and
of the kindness and sympathy you have shown us boys, it