JMMJf IF NORTH CMDU UHARTER IjEMTEM 1 ft Q I G O The University of North Carolina Library From the ERNEST HAYWOOD LIBRARY Established in Memory of John Haywood, Trustee 1789-1827 Edmund Burke Haywood, 1843-46 Ernest Haywood, '80 by Burke Haywood Bridgers, '03 C318 U/T3 This book must not be taken from the Library building. Form No. 471 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill http://archive.org/details/recordofproceediOOuniv A RECORD PROCEEDINGS OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION University of North Carolina Centennial Celebration ACT OF INCORPORATION, BEING AN ACCOUNT OF THE Alumni Banquet and the Alumni Class Reunions, JUNE 5, 1889 Haec olim meminisse juvabit. PUBLISHED BY THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION RALEIGH, N. C: Edwards & Broughton, Power Printers and Binders. 1890. INTRODUCTION. At the Annual Commencement of the University in June, 1888, a resolution was adopted by the Alumni Association to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the incorporation of the institution, and a committee was appointed to make suitable arrangements on the part of the Alumni for such celebration at the Commencement of 1889. The members of this Committee were Hon. Walter Clark, W. J. Peele, Esq., and Ernest Haywood, Esq. Soon afterwards, a committee on the part of the Faculty, appointed to co-operate with the Alumni, was authorized to arrange all the details of the celebration, under the advice and direction of the Alumni Committee. Circular letters were sent to every alumnus whose address was known, and extensive advertisement was made through the press, to whom the committee feel much indebted for repeated courtesies. 2? ^0 iv Introduction. This volume is a record of the proceedings of the Alumni at the celebration, and contains all the speeches, with one or two exceptions, made at the class reunions in Memorial Hall and at the Alumni Banquet in Gerrard Hall. It has been thought proper, also, to insert the Act of Incorpora- tion. In addition to the proceedings published herein, the celebration was intended to include two orations by Hon. M. W. Ransom and Hon. Z. B. Vance, botli Alumni of the University. Prostra- tion from over-work made it impossible for Senator Vance to accept the invitation, although for several months he had hoped that it might be otherwise. Senator Ransom promptly accepted the invitation, but a few days before the celebration the breaking of his arm by an unfortunate fall prevented his attendance. The celebration was thus deprived of two of its most brilliant speakers. The committee regret their inability to obtain from Senator Ran- som a copy of his oration for publication in this volume. Other speeches are omitted for similar reasons. The committee did not feel authorized to change, essentially, the phraseology or the sentiment Introduction. v of the speeches herein published. Other historical matter, besides the proceedings of the Alumni, has been published, as a part of the centennial cele- bration, in a separate volume containing " Sketches of the History of the University, together with a Catalogue of the Officers and Students," from the beginning to 1889. Copies of that volume, as well as of this, may be obtained from the Bursar of the University. JOHN xMANNING, GEORGE T. WINSTON, F. P. VENABLE, Committee of Publication. CONTENTS. PAGE. Introduction i-ii Act of Incorporation, 1789 1 Alumni Banquet and Speeches 10 Exercises of the Class of 1879, Decennial Reunion 113 Exercises of the Class of 1868, Twenty-first Annual Re- union 123 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes ... . _ 139 List of Alumni Present at the Centennial Reunion ... 239 ACT OF INCORPORATION. AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A UNIVERSITY IN THIS STATE, (Passed by the General Assembly at the Session of 1789.) Whereas, In all well regulated governments it is the indispensable duty of every Legislature to con- sult the happiness of a rising generation, and en- deavor to fit them for an honorable discharge of the social duties of life by paying the strictest attention to their education; and Whereas, A University, supported by permanent funds and well endowed, would have the most direct tendency to answer the above purpose : I. Be it therefore enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That Samuel Johnston, James Iredell, Charles Johnson, Hugh Williamson. Stephen Cabarrus, Richard Dobbs Spaight, William Blount, Benjamin Williams, John Sitgreaves, Fred- erick Hargett, Robert W. Snead, Archibald Maclaine. Honorable Samuel Ashe, Robert Dixon, Benjamin Smith, Honorable Samuel Spencer, John Hay, James '2 Act of Incorporation. Hogg, Henry William Harrington. William Barry Grove, Reverend Samuel McCorkle, Adlai Osborne. •John Stokes. John Hamilton, Joseph Graham, Hon- orable John Williams, Thomas Person, Alfred Moore. Alexander Mebane. Joel Lane, Willie Jones, Benja- min Hawkins, John Haywood, senior. John Macon. William Richardson Davie, Joseph Dixon. William Lenoir. Joseph McDowell, James Holland, and Wil- liam Porter. Esquires, shall be and they are hereby declared to be a body politic and corporate, to be known and distinguished by the name of "The Trustees of the University of North Carolina."* and by that name shall have perpetual succession, and a common seal: and that they, the Trustees and their successors, b.v the name aforesaid, or a majority of them, shall lie able and capable in law to take demand, receive and possess all moneys, goods and chattels that shall be given them, for the use of the said University, and the same apply according to the will of the donors, and by gift, purchase or devise to take, have, receive, possess, enjoy and retain to them and their successors forever, any lands, rents, tenements and hereditaments, of what kind, nature or quality soever the same may be, in special trust and confidence, that the same or the profits thereof The corporate name has been changed to "The University oi North Carolina." Act of Incorporation. 3 shall be applied to and for the use and purposes of establishing and endowing the said University. II. And be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the said Trustees and their successors, or a majority of them, by the name aforesaid, shall be able and capable in law to bargain, sell, grant, demise, alien or dispose of, and convey and assure to the purchasers, any such lands, rents, tenements and hereditaments aforesaid, when the condition of the grant to them, or the will of the devisor, does not forbid it. And further, that they, the said Trustees and their suc- cessors forever, or a majority of them, shall be able and capable in law, by the name aforesaid, to sue and implead, be sued and impleaded, answer and be answered, in all courts of record whatsoever ; and they shall have power to open and receive subscrip- tions, and, in general, they shall and may do all such things as are usually done by bodies corporate and politic, or such as may be necessary for the promo- tion of learning and virtue. III. And be if further enacted try the authority afore- mid, That the said Trustees, in order to carry the present act into effect, shall meet at Fayetteville, on the third Monday in the session of the next General Assembly, at which time they shall choose a Presi- dent and Secretary ; and shall then fix the time of their next annual meeting; and at every annual 4 Act of Incorporation. meeting of the Trustees the members present, with the President and Treasurer, shall be a quorum to do any business, or a majority of the members, with- out either of those officers, shall be a quorum ; but at their first meeting, as above directed, there shall be at least fifteen of the above Trustees present in order to proceed to business; and the Trustees, at their annual meeting, may appoint special meetings within the year; or, in case unforeseen accidents shall render a meeting necessary, the Secretary, by order of the President and any two of the Trustees, signified to him in writing, shall, by particular notice to each Trustee, as well as by an advertisement in the State Gazette, convene the Trustees at the time proposed by the President; and the members thus convened shall be a quorum to do any business except the appointment of a President or professors in the University, or the disposal or appropriation of moneys; but in case of the death or resignation of the President or any Professor, the Trustees thus convened may supply the place until the next annual meeting of the Board of Trustees, and no longer ; and the meeting at which the seat of the said Uni- versity shall be fixed shall be advertised in the Gazette of this State at least six months, and notice in manner aforesaid to each of the Trustees of the object of the said meeting. Act of Incorporation. 5 IV. And he it farther enacted by the authority afore- said, That the Trustees shall elect and commission some person to be Treasurer for the said University during the term of two years : which Treasurer shall enter into bond with sufficient securities to the Gov- ernor, for the time being, in the sum of five thousand pounds, conditioned for the faithful discharge of his office and the trust reposed in him; and that all moneys and chattels belonging to the said corpora- tion, that shall be in his hands at the expiration of his office, shall then be immediately paid and deliv- ered into the hands of the succeeding Treasurer; and every Treasurer shall receive all moneys, dona- tions, gifts, bequests, and charities, whatsoever, that may belong or accrue to the said University during his office, and at the expiration thereof shall account with the Trustees for the same, and the same pay and deliver over to the succeeding Treasurer; and on his neglect or refusal to pay and deliver as afore- said, the same method of recovery may be had against him as is or may be provided for the recov- ery of moneys from Sheriffs or other persons charge- able with public moneys ; and the Treasurer of the University shall cause annually to be published in the State Gazette, for the satisfaction of the subscribers and benefactors, a list of all moneys and other things by him received for the said University, either by o C? sities to the noble University of North Carolina. May the sun of her progress and power be this sun of the psalmist, which is as a bridegroom coming forth from his chamber, rejoicing like a strong man, to run a race. Centennial Alumni Banquet. 105 The fourteenth toast was: To George Peabody and Others, who, Loving the South, have Given of their Means to Educate her Children. Response was made by J. L. M. Curry, LL.D. The fifteenth toast was: Our Guests. Responses were made by Henry E. Shepherd, LL.D., of Charleston College, and Crawford H. Toy, LL.D., of Harvard University. Professor Shepherd spoke in place of President Gilman, of Johns Hopkins University, who was detained by the floods. He began by deploring the unavoidable absence of Dr. Gilman, whose visit to the University had been expected on all sides with genuine pleasure. He scarcely felt himself a "guest" at Chapel Hill, a place consecrated by so many memories and hal- lowed by so many traditions. The Alma Mater of his father and his uncle, to say nothing of a long line of friends and kinsfolk, many of whom sleep in unrecorded Virginia graves; many of whom still subsist in the vigor of manhood, full of civic ardor, apt for heroic emprise, capable of lofty achieve- ment, Though an alumnus of another University, 106 Centennial Alumni Banquet. no one more heartily sympathized with the Uni- versity of North Carolina in all her struggles, no one more cordially rejoiced in her expansions, in her increasing scholarly range, as, like the poet's ideal freedom, " She broadens slowly clown From precedent to precedent."' The speaker expressed the hope that amid the fes- tivities of this auspicious occasion, amid the tributes paid to material greatness, as embodied in wealth and commerce in all their complex forms, the Cen- tennial should not pass without at least some recog- nition of the high and noble function performed by universities in fostering and developing the senti- ment of culture, the conception of pure scholarship lifted above all thought of worldly aggrandizement into that serene atmosphere, that Arcadian home, which is the abode and the sanctuary of the ideal student. He discussed at some length the character of the true scholar, as distinguished from the man of information or mere acquisition, the man who possesses his knowledge and is not possessed by it. The speaker protested against the influence of that materialistic sentiment which threatens to efface the very idea of pure culture, by rendering it subservi- ent to merely utilitarian ends, ft was the Baconian Centennial Alumni Banquet. 107 philosophy carried beyond all rational limits, for, as Whewell pointed out long ago, Bacon failed to appreciate adequately the ideal element in our knowledge. President Shepherd declared that a genuine scholar was a phenomenon and a prodigy, and that the scholarly instinct, the scholarly dis- cernment was like the creative and prophetic genius of the poet, or the analytical faculty of the man of science. The true scholar is among the noblest bene- factors of the race, he is a spiritual power, a concrete protest against that incoming wave of materialism, which threatens to subordinate, if not to subvert, all the holier and purer forces of our civilization. The inspiration communicated by the presence of great scholars was earnestly dwelt upon, and conspicu- ous illustrations w ere given, notably that of the younger Scaliger and his career at the University of Leyden. It is the peculiar glory of universities, the speaker insisted, to nurture the scholarly idea, to foster and stimulate scholarly aspirations, to mature and perfect scholarly character. In the attainment of this great desire, American colleges and univer- sities have in large measure failed and come short. The speaker concluded by appealing to the students and Alumni to use all diligence in cherishing and developing that sentiment of scholarly yearning and aspiring, which is the perfected glory and the serene 108 Centennial Alumni Banquet. .splendor of universities in all ages and under all variations of administrative order or external form. Professor Toy said, in response to the toast, Our Guests : 1 am hap])y. on this pleasant occasion, to be the bearer of the greetings and congratulations of the Faculty of Harvard College to the University of North Carolina. We are bound to you by the ties of a common interest and a common hope and effort. The spirit of sympathy and co-operation which exists among the colleges of our country is one of the most encouraging signs for our future. United in the one great aim of fostering mental culture,-of laying the foundations of a stronger and purer national and individual life, we gain, from our association with one another, freshening and broadening of ideas and stimulation to work. May the time soon come when there shall be a closer brotherhood of American col- leges, a freer and more frequent interchange of thought and a larger and more effective co-operation. With a record like that of the University of North Carolina, the present occasion cannot fail to be one of deep significance and happy omen. The life of the University began with that of the State whose fortunes it has faithfully shared, and we may conn- Centennial Alumni Banquet. 109 dently hope that the increasing prosperity of the State will bring fresh vigor and more commanding influ- ence to its highest school. The main direction of the educated thought of the State has been in the hands of its University. I shall not attempt to call the roll of its eminent presidents, instructors and trus- tees, and of its distinguished graduates who have occupied positions of honor and trust at home and abroad. It is rather the steady pressure which the University has exerted on the educated masses, the bone and sinew of the State, that I think of. Sev- enty years ago it was said of North Carolina that, in zeal for education, it was not outdone by any State. in the Union. This is the sentiment that has leavened the population of the State, and has found its highest expression in the University. The fathers of the Revolution, says President Battle, knew that their children would not be capable of freedom without education. It is the indispensable duty of every Legislature — so runs the preamble to the act for the establishment of the University a hundred years ago — to consult the happiness of a rising gen- eration, and endeavor to fit them for an honorable discharge of the social duties of life, by paying the strictest attention to their education. No broader scheme for a university could be stated. The ultimate aim of education on the social side 11<> Centennial Alumni Banquet. is to teach men to live aright: on the reflective side it is the discovery of truth. To these ends all the energy of the University must be bent, and to these other considerations must be held subordinate. IAb- ertas docendi, libertas discendi — perfect freedom of thought, unfettered, unbiased by whatsoever sur- roundings, is the one absolutely essential condition of progress. Happily, it is one which is universally recognized in our country, one to which the people of North Carolina, by their experiences of a century ago. in their State Constitution, in the organic law of all their schools and colleges, have given no doubtful assent. The question whether a university education is needed has been practically answered by our people in the affirmative. Whatever may be the ebbs and flows of sentiment, there is always a return to the position that nothing can atone for the absence of the material for broad culture which a university alone can supply. The existence of such an institution is assured by the deepest conviction of the people. It remains for the friends of university education to apply themselves to the task of giving it the best form. Nor need we fear the results of such an attempt. If it be true that our methods are now somewhat chaotic, this is an incident of our national youthfulness: we can learn only by experi- Centennial Alumni Banquet. Ill ence. But we have no small advantage in the exist- ence of a number of universities in the different States, each of which is endeavoring to adapt itself to its public. From these varied experiences will arise permanent principles and methods; each uni- versity will learn from the others. We cannot merely copy the organizations of the European schools, though we may hold ourselves ready to adopt from them whatever shall appear to be useful for our [tur- poses. A university must be the creator of its own resources. It must shape a public opinion which shall -supply the means of endowing instruction, and shall offer those rewards of honors and emoluments which shall induce young men to devote themselves to thorough literary, scientific and philosopical studies. The outlook in this regard is hopeful. Every graduating class is a new leavening power. With the increasing facilities and achievements of the University comes a new pride among her Alumni and among the citizens of the State, an increasing desire to link their names with hers by gifts which shall confer the highest benefits on the youth of the State for untold generations. May the hope which the University of North Car- olina reposes in her sons be amply and speedily ful- filled! 112 Centennial Alumni Banquet. In conclusion, may I be permitted to read the fol- lowing telegram, which I have just received from the President of Harvard University: " Cambridge, Mass., June 5, 1889. " Harvard University congratulates the University of North Carolina on a centenary of usefulness and honor, and wishes it ever-increasing prosperity. (Signed) " Charles W. Eliot.*' EXERCISES OF THE CLASS OF 1870 AT ITS DECENNIAL REUNION. The class of 1879 began its career with the revival of the University in 1875, and was, therefore, the first to graduate under the new regime, after a four years' course of study. It was a part of the plan of the Centennial Alumni Reunion to grant special places on the programme for special exercises to such classes as might make application therefor; and; notice of this was given to each class. Application was made by the classes of 1879 and 1 868, who, accord- ingly, held special exercises in Memorial Hall, as a part of the Centennial Reunion. It seems proper to give these special exercises the same prominence in print that they obtained on the occasion of the celebration. The members of the class of 1879, having assem- bled on the rostrum, were called to order by the President, W. J. Peele, Esq. The Secretary called the roll, and the following answered to their names: :;: * Besides these, there were present, but not on the stage, the follow- ing members of the class who were not graduates: Messrs. John C Angier, Frank R. Borden and D. C. Stan back. 8 114 Exercises of the Class of i8jy. Dr. K. P. Battle, Jr., Dr. R. B. Henderson, Dr. J. M. Manning, Mr. J. 8. Manning, Mr. W. J. Peele, Rev. Robert Strange. Messrs. Francis I). Winston and Robert AY. Winston and Dr. Isaac M. Taylor. Mr. Francis D. Winston, the class historian, then presented to President Battle, in behalf of the class, a handsome pamphlet containing the class history. Mr. Winston said: This book contains a history of the class of 1879. It is the wish of the class that this copy be placed in the library of the institution. That wish, I am sure, is not prompted by the fact that it contains a picture of each member of the class, nor by the belief that the achievements of the class, as a whole, merit such distinction : but it proceeds from the desire to have others follow our example, so that the history of this institution, and of its sons, may be thus pre- served and transmitted to posterity. This occasion, sir, renews right spirits within us. We will carry home a warmer zeal for the University and a brighter hope for its future. It is a satisfac- tion to feel that the years since our graduation have been spent by the class of 1, 1838. D. D. V. Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 175 too, that there was far less harm than I supposed in the "fraternities." To my relief and surprise, I found in them several of my warmest friends. But the struggle fixed the faith and practice of my life : ever open to the new, but clinging unswervingly to the old — the church, the State, and the home — as the only divine institutions for reforming and saving the world. Pardon, Mr. President, another personal allusion — small in itself, but interesting to the young. Both my home and scholastic training, especially my society duties here, made me somewhat methodical in my habits. I grew fond of recalling and review- ing the past, I kept no regular diary, usually so dull, but at occasional periods, and in important events, I would note down facts and feelings. I hold here (showing an old outside leaf of a copy-book) the last page of a college journal taken down at the time, the day of my class graduation, June 2d, 1842, forty-seven years ago! I detain you with no details ; in fact, possibly some things had better have been unsaid. But, to me, it is now a treasure no money could buy. It is, withal, both a picture and a prophecy of the class of '42. From it, I can faithfully recall the thoughts and feelings, the hopes and fears, of that eventful day. And with it, I will gladly make out a memorial 176 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. record of my beloved class-mates, and of the Chapel Hill of 1842. Of course, too, I found myself a " Senior in love," and the ardor of youth is to-day again upon me. I feel ten years younger because of the memories of this dear old journal, and the delightful reminis- cences of this joyous occasion. And with my whole heart I thank you, Mr. President, and the several authorities of the college, to whom the credit is due, for the great enjoyment we are having. The Class of 184s Was represented by Hon. R. P. Dick, R, H. Jones, Esq., and Dr. John L. Williamson. Judge Dick spoke as follows : I appear in obedience to your call, not as a speech- maker, but as a witness. If I fail to observe my first announcement, you may well doubt my testimony. I am confident that my statements will be sustained by my friend and class-mate, Dr. John L. Williamson, who is now by my side, after a separation of many years. The class of 1843 was an average one for good conduct, scholarship and ability. There was not a Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. Ill single member who could be properly styled a genius. There were many men of intellect, who, by patient labor and persistent efforts, became fair scholars, and attained a reasonable measure of success and reputa- tion in after-life. There was not a mean-spirited boy among my class-mates. They were genial, kind-hearted and true gentlemen ; and allot' them had the qualities and capabilities which, with proper culture and exer- tion, would have enabled them to become good and valuable citizens. I regret to say that some failed to avail themselves of their opportunities and advan- tages, and a few were misled by temptation into irregular habits that diminished or destroyed their usefulness. They were widely scattered throughout the coun- try, and a large majority are dead. I cherish their memories, and I deeply sympathized in their disap- pointments, sorrows and misfortunes. I am sure that the living have a warm attachment and venera- tion for their Alma Mater ; they earnestly desire her continued prosperity, and they will always readily rally to her support and defence — if assailed by prejudice, injustice or misfortune. 12 178 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. The Class of i8## Was represented by Hon. W. L. Steele, James H. Horner, Esq., and A. G. Jones, Esq. Colonel Steele said : On the Gth of June, 1844, forty-three young men, "with hope elate.'' pushed their barks from the shore and began the voyage of life. Of these, but ten are upon the water — "rari nantes in gurgite vasto" — the others having gone down in the storms which beset them. Although but few ever reached much earthly distinction, I trust that all have "scattered some bread upon the waters,'' which has been "gath- ered," or will be "gathered "' in due season, for the benefit of the human race. They who remain, and they who have gone, ever had in high esteem the institution of learning at which they were fitted for the duties which they were called upon to perform. Upon this class has fallen an honor never before held, and which cannot be held again until a century has passed. One of its humblest members is the President of the Alumni Association, under whose auspices this celebration is held, and is the master of ceremonies at this interesting and unusual occa- sion. In the name of the class, I greet this large Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 179 assemblage, and invoke not only those who are pres- ent, but all the people of the State, to maintain and support the University, as one of the great factors in the moral and intellectual development of this age and the ages yet to come. The Class of 1845 Was represented by Hon. Joseph B. Batchelor and Dr. L. C. Taylor. The Class of /Sj6 Was represented by Col. William A. Faison and Dr. William B. Meares. The regular call of the roll of classes was here suspended in order to give place for the special exer- cises of the class of 1879, the first to graduate after a four years' course under the new regime, and of the class of 1868, the last to graduate under Governor Swain's administration. For the exercises of these classes see the preceding pages. At the conclusion of these special class exercises, the Association adjourned to celebrate the centennial banquet in Gerrard Hall. An account of the banquet has already been given. 180 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. At about 8 o'clock, p. in. the Association re-assem- bled in Memorial Hall, with President Steele in the chair, and the roll-call of classes was continued. The Class of iS^j Was represented by Rev. Thomas E. Skinner, D. D., Dr. R. H. Winborne, and Thomas Webb, Esq. Dr. Skinner spoke as follows: You have noticed that the class of '47 was called out of the regular order. After the class of '46, then that of 79 and '68 were called, and then came '47. The reason for this, it is supposed, is the con- trast which necessarily would have followed, in as much as the class of '47 is the most distinguished that ever graduated at the University. There are only three members of '47 present, out of the thirty-seven graduates — Webb, Winborne and Skinner. The first, on account of severe afflic- tion, is unable to speak. The second has spent his valuable life as a physician, and declines to talk, and the third, as has been his custom for nearly forty years, is compelled once more to follow the doctors. We have looked anxiously for a Ransom, but none can be found. How glad we are that it was his arm, and not his neck, that is broken. Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 181 It is mainly to Ransom and the lamented Petti- grew that the class of '47 is indebted for the great distinction to which it attained. Alston, Haywood (Dr. E. B.), Hines, Kindred, Levy, Manly, Mebane, Pool, Sharp and Shober, with others, shared the under degrees. The names of some of these, with Pettigrew, Benbury and Sharp, are enrolled on yonder tablets of the Confederate heroes who gave their lives for the " lost cause." Pettigrew's surpassing excellence in scholarship and universal lore, together with Ransom's pluck and victory in peace and in war, is the true secret of our unparalleled celebrity as a class. Ransom is in his fourth term in the United States Senate, and to this nothing needs to be added. He fought bravely his way up to the high distinction of Major-Generalin the Confederate army. North Carolina has honored him as she has no other citizen, and may Ransom live long to serve the noble old Commonwealth, and to be honored by her. What shall we say of the lamented Pettigrew — that amazing genius and expert in everything he undertook ? I was wiih him at the elder Bingham's in Hills- boro for three years, and at college we were intimate friends. At Bingham's I never knew him to be awav 1S2 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. from the head of the class, save from sickness, and then, taking the foot, he would soon recover his accustomed and merited place — the head of the class. So, you see, we had trip, head and foot in those days. And, more, we had ferule and hickory, well- seasoned and tough, but never did these fall upon the person of this unequaled child of genius and wonder. The rest of us had to stand up and take it. Pettigrew's distinction among his fellow-students arose, perhaps, more from his superiority in mathe- matics; though he was, in fact, fully as proficient in every department. Our class was the first to use Peirce's Course of Mathematics — the most intricate and abridged of all others. Some of us never saw day-light after the proposition to '"construct the line A B," which we could only do as our friend Tom Polk, now Dr. Polk, of Mississippi, who, when required to find the center of a circle, drew an imaginary one, and stepping back advanced, with the chalk in front, and striking the bull's eye, exclaimed, "About there, sir; I should say." While our class were struggling through Peirce's Differential Calculus, Mr. Pettigrew wrote out, in extenso, an integral calculus, after Mr. Peirce's plan Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 188 of his Differential, the author having not yet pub- lished his Integral Calculus. The renowned and venerable Professor, Dr. James Phillips, hearing of this wonderful feat of his youth- ful pupil, James Johnston Pettigrew, called at my room on an evening after tea and inquired if it was true. I told him it was, and that I had seen the manuscript. He begged that I would go immedi- ately to Mr. Pettigrew's room (N. W. corner, second story, old South), and, if possible, secure the loan of the manuscript for him. Leaving the Professor in charge of my room-mate (the handsome Joseph Benjamin, brother of the dis- tinguished late Judah P. Benjamin), he entertained him with a pipe well charged with oak leaves, dried and prepared very like tobacco, which was said to have been procured from a celebrated Petersburg firm. So delightful was the aroma which the smoke of this dried garment of the forest absorbed in passing through the mahogany-colored stem, that the Pro- fessor declared that he never before had smoked SO' mild and pleasant a weed. Before retiring with Pettigrew's manuscript, I completed the Professor's ecstatic joy by wrapping up a small parcel of the celebrated Petersburg tobacco, placing at the bottom a few of the large oak leaves, in an unmanufactured state. 184 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. I heard that on the Professor's reaching home, he told his son Charles (the late and distinguished emeritus Professor of Mathematics), that there was a fine sample of Petersburg tobacco, handed him by Mr. Skinner. Upon examination, it was revealed that it was nothing but " oak leaves." This rumor was doubtless correct, as my room-mate and I were surprised by being called out of time next morn- ing, at the recitation before breakfast (think of that, young gentlemen), and he "rushed" us for sixty minutes with seemingly exquisite satisfaction. How dear to us is the memory of this venerated man and his no less distinguished son, and his daughter, Mrs. Cornelia P. Spencer, the brightest illustration in the galaxy of North Carolina's distin- guished women — a woman who could teach a nation. I said that Pettigrew was an expert in all that he attempted. This is true, even in athletic sports. He entered college at the age of thirteen, and, con- sequently, was only seventeen when he received his diploma. He was prepared for the Freshman class at eleven years of age, but was kept back by Mr. Bing- ham; and at the age of thirty he finished his work, by yielding his sublime career as a sacrifice on the altar of his country's honor and glory. I was seven } r ears at school with him, knew him well, and loved his shadow even. He was as simple Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 185 as a child, as pure as a girl and as sublime as a hero, and a statesman. Mr. Bingham told me that he reproved him once and that he could not sleep that night. What an illustration of the loss of the South in the dreadful fratricidal conflict which must have occurred! How could a class with two such men as Ransom and Pettigrew fail to be distin- guished above all others? But please be tolerant with the other thirty-five of us. We were no small men. Here is my friend Tom Webb, whom we knew only as Trust Webb, because he was so trustworthy. In this day of Trusts, is not that a distinction? He was once the President of the Western North Caro- lina Railroad; and if the hand of Providence did not lie heavily upon him, he would be the man talk- ing to you now, and not I. And here is my friend Bob Winborne, a distin- guished physician of North Carolina, who ought to have been the preacher of the class. But God's ways are not our ways, that the glory may not be to man, but to God, to whom all glory belongs. How can I better end this tirade than by telling you some funny things on my speechless brother, Tom Webb? Bingham was not only an able, but also a sympa- thetic and genial teacher. Indeed, the father stood out 18(3 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. clearly, and in bold relief, in all the manipulations of his classes. And this, and more, may be said of his distinguished sons ; of the two, only Major Robert now remaining with us. I must be pardoned for speaking so plainly and personally as I have done, because I know that but for the elder William J. Bingham I would have been nothing, and less than nothing, notwithstanding my youthful resolve that if ever I became a man I would thrash him or die, not knowing what I said. He certainly taught the " idea how to shoot," and that is true teaching in this and all ages to come. Well, I will conclude with two little reminiscences, which my friend Trust Webb will corroborate and enjoy. It was the custom of the elder Bingham, when any difficult passage occurred in the next lesson, to explain it to the class, with the distinct understand- ing that a miss on that point was grave, and involved ((Jew in the hand with the leather ferule — so like the latter end of a horse-trace. In Caesar's Commen- taries the phrase "fadus certior " occurs frequently. "Now," said Mr. Bingham, "boys, remember to translate 'fact us certior,' — 'was informed,' and not 'made more certain.' Do you hear?" "All right." Next day dear old " Trust" came up to the front, and in the lines occurred the words "fact its certior. " Trust read: "Then Caesar being made more cer- Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 187 tain — " "What?" cried Bingham, "come up here, sir." Up came Trust. "Put out your hand, sir." Slam ! went the leather ; up went Trust's foot. Bang ! goes the ferule; up again goes Trust's foot. He returns to his seat, not with his hands in his pocket, because they feel larger than a hundred pockets. On another occasion, Trust was translating in Latin very nicely, and coming to the proper noun, Andromache, he made a slip, thoughtlessly, and called it Andrew Mickle, which was the name of a distinguished citizen, then of Hillsboro, and after- wards of Chapel Hill, and the Bursar of the col- lege, I think. I never saw " Old Bill " (as the boys called our now venerated teacher) so full of laugh as he was then. It was so funny that Mr. Bingham, roaring with laughter, said : " You rascal ; I can't whip you for that mistake." But, I have talked too long. Grateful, indeed, do I feel that I have been per- mitted to be present at this Centennial Commence- ment of the University of North Carolina. Long- may she live and be blessed, and a blessing more and more, is the prayer of the class of 1847. The Class of 184.8 Was represented by Captain N. A. Ramsey, who said : 188 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. I had hoped that this duty would have fallen upon another, but as I am the only representative of my class present on this most interesting occasion, I cheerfully accept the situation, and speak a few words for them as best I can. The class of '48 was a fair average one, composed of twenty-nine members. As far as I have been able to ascertain, there are only ten living — nine- teen having passed over the river and " are now resting under the shade of the trees." They were, as a rule, both living and dead, as noble a set of fellows as ever breathed the breath of life. I have not time nor inclination, here, to speak of the dead, save one — Willie Person Mangum, Jr., who died in the North of China in February, 1881, and his remains now rest in the Congressional Ceme- tery at Washington. A most interesting sketch of his life has been prepared at my request by his widow, now a resident at Washington City, which will be published in the University Magazine. Of ten living, I will here mention only two, dis- tinguished for the high and honorable positions they hold. Oliver Pendleton Meares now presides, with credit to himself and honor to the State, as Judge of the Criminal Court of New Hanover and Mecklenburg Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 189 counties, and Victor Clay Barringer, with equal honor and dignity, presides as Judge of Appeals at the Consular Court of Alexandria, Egypt, having filled this position continuously since 1874, and I am glad to state that he is receiving a salary of $10,000 per annum. I have been endeavoring to prepare a brief history of my class, both- living and dead, and hoped to have it ready for this occasion, but I could not do so. I have the data of twenty-four, and hope soon to have some of the remaining five. When com- pleted, it will afford me very great pleasure to fur- nish a copy to be filed in the archives of the Univer- sity. God bless you all, and good-bye. The Class of i8+g Was represented by Hon. Kemp P. Battle, Dr. P. E. Hines, W. E. Hill, Esq., and Dr. Bryan Whitfield. Mr. Hill said : Some persons contend that we are saved by faith, others by works; but I like to show my faith by my works, so I have manifested my love and loyalty to the University by sending four sons to be educated within its classic walls. If a majority of the Alumni 190 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. would send as many students to Chapel Hill as I have sent, the University would nourish and rank among the first institutions of the world. The class of 1849 was quite a large class, and con- tained some good students. Many of them attained considerable eminence in after-life. Peter Hale, who sat near me during recitation hours, was an editor of marked ability. He published some political and literary works which exhibited very great research. T. J. Robinson, who stood well in the class, was a civil engineer of ability after he left college. Dr. Haigh, of Fayetteville, and Dr. Peter Hines, of Raleigh, who also sat near me in the class, have been eminent in the medical profession. There were three Whitfields in our class, who were good students. Two of them were killed fighting for the liberties of their country, and the other, Dr. Bryan Whitfield, of Alabama, has been a successful doctor and planter. Among the different classes represented at this Centennial Commencement, our class, I believe, is the only one which has produced a President. Other classes have sent out Senators, Governors and states- men, but the class of 1849 has the distinguished honor of a President. I allude to our friend and class-mate, President K. P. Battle, wdiose great use- Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 191 fulness to the State of North Carolina is generally conceded. I cannot close my remarks without reference to the very able Faculty at the University in 1849, par- ticularly Dr. Elisha Mitchell, my especial friend. Dr. Mitchell sacrificed his useful life upon the altar of science. Truly can it be said that he died a martyr to the cause of the University. His remains were buried upon the summit of a lofty mountain, to which he has given a name which will continue to the end of time. President Kemp P. Battle added a few words to the remarks of Mr. William E. Hill, who represented the class of 1849. He claimed for his class the honor of numbering among its members a benefactor of the University. It was Rev. John Calvin McNair, of Robeson county, who Idled while pursuing his theological studies in Edinburgh, bequeathing a valuable estate, after his mother's death, for the establishment of a lectureship on the harmony of Science and Religion. Although the becmest was mainly swallowed up in the great war-gulf, he set a noble example which others should follow. Another of the class of 1849 deserves especial men- tion, Col. Edward Mallett, who passed unscathed through many battles and was killed at Benton ville, 192 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. leaving four small children, with their mother dying of consumption. His sword is on the walls of our Library, so deeply indented by two minie balls that it cannot be drawn from its scabbard. He was buried in his uniform in the Chapel Hill cemetery, and sleeps without a stone to mark his resting-place. President Battle expressed his gratification in meet- ing his old class-mates, Hill, Hines and Bryan Whit- field, with whom he had entered the University forty- four years ago. He and Hill had a curious parallelism in regard to their children, each sending four sons simultaneously to the University since its reopening in 1875. The following are the statistics of the class of 1849 : fifty -four members were connected with it during its four years' course. Of these thirty-six graduated: thirty-four are dead : leaving twenty now living. The Class of i$5Q Was represented by Dr. J. F. Cain, Hon. J. J. Davis, J. W. Lewis, Esq., and Hon. John Manning. Mr. Manning said : The class at its graduation numbered twenty-four. Nine of these are alive, viz: Dr. James F. Cain, of Durham; E. C. Chambers, of Texas; Dr. Julius A. Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 193 Caldwell, of Salisbury ; Madison Hawkins, of Hen- derson; W. H. Johnston, of Tarboro; Robert W. Lewis, of Raleigh; J. W. Lewis, of Milton; R. H. Whitfield, of Mississippi, and the speaker. The first mite men in the class were John Hill, William H. Johnston and Washington C. Kerr. The class always regarded Johnston as the best scholar, and thought that he should have had the valedictory ; it was, however, given to Hill. Johnston declined to speak the salutatory, and gave it to a second mite man, R, H. Hines. The most distinguished members of the class were r Thomas Settle, Benjamin R. Huske, William H, Johnston and Washington C. Kerr. Thomas Settle was Solicitor of the Hillsborough District, twice Judge of the Supreme Court of the State, Minister of the United States to Peru, Presi- dent of the National Republican Convention of 1872, and United States District Judge for the State of Florida. In 1875 he was the nominee of the Republican party of this State for Governor, and bore himself so well in the campaign with Governor Vance as to command the respect of the people, and prove him- self the equal on the stump of his great opponent. He was a man of commanding figure and exceed- ingly handsome — graceful in all his movements, 13 194 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. and eloquent and earnest as a speaker. Above all, he was a gallant and chivalrous gentleman, gentle as a woman, and yet as brave as any knight who fought at Crecy. Washington C. Kerr became eminent as a geolo- gist, and for many years had charge of the geologi- cal survey of the State. No man was better acquainted with North Carolina, her soils, minerals, stones, flora and" waters, and no one of her citizens devoted his life more unselfishly or intelligently to the development of her material interests. He was a live man, up with the science of the day. The Museum at Raleigh is his work and his monument. Benjamin R. Huske, of Fayetteville, came to the bar and rose rapidly in the profession. In fact, no young lawyer in the Cumberland circuit commanded a larger patronage or won more verdicts. He went to the war with the old Fayetteville company as one of its captains; was in the battle of Bethel, in the engagements on the Peninsula and around Rich- mond, and in the battle of Seven Pines was wounded, and died of his wounds in the hospital at Richmond. Had he lived he would have attained the highest rank in his profession. William H. Johnston still lives, a prosperous gen- tleman, commanding the respect and love of his neighbors. Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 195 Joseph J. Davis was a law student, matriculating in 1847. The State of North Carolina knows and has honored honest Joe Davis — captain in the war, member of Congress, and now a Justice of the Supreme Court. Old friends, we have had our ups and downs, our joys and sorrows. We have lost most of our worldly goods, but, thank God, we have the old land yet, and our hearts are loyal and true to our Alma Mater and to our State. The Class of 1851 Was represented by Peter E. Smith, Esq., who said : I am the only member of the class of 1851 pres- ent, and I am' thankful to be at this grand reunion of the Alumni. There were forty-one matriculates and thirty-four graduates in the class. Ten of these are now living. The class was an average in num- bers and intellect, having furnished four members of the State Legislature, to-wit: David M. Carter, Giles Leitch, Claudius B. Sanders and Francis E. Shober — the last also a member of Congress — all of whom are dead except Francis E. Shober. One was a pro- fessor in the University, Benjamin S. Hedrick, who 196 Centennial Alumni Reunion by\Classes. also filled a prominent position in the Patent Office at Washington City up to the time of his death. One is now a Judge in California, Samuel A. Holmes. There were two distinguished lawyers, D. M. Carter and Bartholomew F. Fuller, both dead. Two colonels in the army, D. M. Carter and Thomas W. Garret, who was killed, at Spottsylvania (I think). The day he was killed, he told his friends he would come out of that fight a " Brigadier " or a dead Colonel. I am told that he won his laurels but died without know- ing it. Another brave soldier and genial friend succumbed to the decrees of war, viz: John Thomas Wheat. The large number of names on the tablets in this hall show that this class was not behind her sisters in the proportionate numbers slain in battle. It is a sad retrospect to see that all of the old Fac- ulty are dead, save one, the Rev. Dr. Charles F. Deems, now of New York, who will be remembered for all time to come as a benefactor to the youth of the State in procuring the "Deems" fund for edu- cating deserving poor young men at the University. Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 197 The Class of 1S52 Was represented by Dr. R. L. Beall, George A. Brett, Esq., Captain John R, Hutchins and Dr. R. H. Lewis. Dr. Beall said : Since this morning, when my class selected me to represent them, I have had no time, except amid the exciting and thrilling scenes of this and the banquet hall, in which to collect from the members present the statistics of my class. Of course this mere sketch is, in a measure, impromptu, and, therefore, imper- fect. The class of 1852 numbered, at graduation, forty- two. I find that twenty-one have "passed over to the great majority." Ours has always been a modest class and hardly passed for its worth, but, as honors go in this world, we have a fair share. I find on the roll five M. D.'s and several lawyers, but as lawyers and doctors are no exception in all the classes I need not mention them by name. We have one Doctor of Divinity, Rev. S. Milton Frost, of Davie Count} r , now of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; one Judge, the late Hon. W. A. Moore; two distinguished civil engineers, Warner Lewis, of Virginia, and Maj. J. W. 198 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. Wilson, of Morganton, who was the projector of the great feat of engineering, the Western North Carolina Railroad across the Bine Ridge, and who received the high distinction of being selected by the Canadian government to judge the correctness of the engineering on her great Pacific railway. I find three distinguished educators of youth, Jere Slade, of Georgia, Rev. Dr. Frost, of Pennsylvania, and Dr. R, H. Lewis, of Kinston, North Carolina ; and one distinguished Attorney General, Hon. William D. Barnes, of Florida. We can say what, perhaps, no other class of the University can say: one of our number has been a member of the Legislature of North Carolina, a member of the United States Congress before the war, a distinguished officer in the Confederate Army, three times Governor of North Carolina, and now a United States Senator. I mean Zebulon B. Vance, our " Zeb." And now I have come to a class which I have left for the last — on the principle which governed General Clingman when to-day he addressed the ladies last — last because best of all — at least not inferior in dig- nity or importance. I mean our agricultural class. Among our distinguished tillers of the soil I find John R. Hutchins, of Orange, and George A. Brett, of Hertford. In my travels over this broad land, from New York to New Orleans and from Morehead Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 199 City to St. Louis, I have not seen a more beautiful, well-arranged and scientifically cultivated farm than that of our class-mate, Hon. Thomas M. Holt. At the banquet and reunion in Gerrard Hall this afternoon, my heart swelled with patriotic pride as I listened to the eloquent speeches detailing the triumphs of our Alumni on the battle-field, in public life, at the bar, on the bench, in the ministry and as physicians — their great services to the State as leaders in public and private education, in manufac- tures, internal improvements and trade. But a shade of disappointment came over the bright picture when the toast on Agriculture was called and not a single voice responded.* Mr. President, I know that our farmers are a modest class, shrinking from public notice and pre- ferring to let their deeds speak for them. This omis- sion ought not to have been. I know it was not the fault of the Committee of Arrangements. I know among our Alumni, farmers abundantly qualified to have set forth with ability and eloquence our achieve- ments in this great field. I listened with rapt attention to the speech of Dr. Curry, and my heart was filled with gratitude as he *The Committee endeavored most faithfully, but unsuccessfully, to secure responses to the toasts to "Agriculture" and to "Trade," which were on the programme. 200 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. enumerated the great philanthropists of the North who had so generously showered their treasures upon the educational institutions of the South. But, sir, you may have millions bestowed on your institutions invested in magnificent buildings and the very best of scientific apparatus: you may have a hundred pro- fessorships and every professorship endowed with thousands of dollars, and yet there might be one thing lacking, without which your institutions would be as "sounding brass." as nothing. I mean men to fill your chairs, and boys to fill your halls! Where will you get them? I answer, mainly from the tillers of the soil, directly or indirectly. I ven- ture the assertion, sir. that the majority of the dis- tinguished men among you. in the liberal professions even, either tilled the soil themselves in their youth. or that their fathers or grandfathers did before them. Why, sir, in view of the enervating tendency of our modern civilization as manifested in our town, city and public life, I am tempted to think that the salt which is to save us from national degeneration must come from the farmers of the land. Let a boy have his bones hardened and his mus- cles toughened by toil, his lungs expanded and his blood purified by the fresh air of the fields; let his powers of observation and reasoning be quickened by looking into the forests and fields and brooks and Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 201 at the varied forms of animal life he sees around him, and let the finer feelings of his nature be developed and his passions subdued by this intercourse with Nature, and I say, sir, you have the raw material out of which to manufacture a perfect model of an intel- lectual man. Mens sana in corpore sano was the clas- sic model. More than seven-tenths of our people are inter- ested in agriculture, and, I repeat, it is mainly from this class that you must look for your patronage. I live under the shadow of a great mountain, founded on everlasting granite, and lifting its peaks nearly six thousand feet above the waves of the sea, and to it are flowing people from every quarter of our country for health and pleasure and beauties of Nature. And now, sir, let us take this great moun- tain — or, perhaps better still, the far grander moun- tain seen in prophetic vision, and to which flowed all nations of the earth — let us take it as the sym- bol of this great University, founded on the strong affection and prayers of our people of all classes, and from this solid foundation let its domes tower heavenward, and there will flow to it "every people and kindred and tongue," from the wave- washed shores of Currituck to the thunder-riven peaks of Cherokee, and from this and future generations will go up, with a great shout and a mighty voice, " The '202 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. Old North State and her University; one and insep- arable, now and forever! - ' The Class of /Sjj Was represented by Baldy A. Capehart, Esq., Prof. A. Mclver, Col. John L. Morehead, Hon. Henry R. Shorter, Col. John D. Taylor and David G. Worth. Esq. Colonel Shorter said : In September, 1850, a light-haired, gray-eyed youth came here alone from Alabama, and after undergoing rigid examinations that nearly seared the life out of him he was permitted to enter the Sophomore class. During the next three years, short and eventful years, he knew the sunlight and the shadows of these classic groves. He loved the friends and companions of his youth, and parted with them in sorrow, when, at the end of his college course, he hied away to the gay savannas of his distant Ala- bama home. And now, after thirty-six years of contact with life — real hard, practical life, and all of its friction — your humble speaker comes again to worship once more at the shrine of his beloved Alma Mater. Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 203 Although my lot in life has been cast in a different and distant section of our common country, yet, dur- ing these long years of absence I have never ceased, to love this grand Old North State, and for my Alma Mater I have ever cherished' an absolute affec- tion. I have watched and admired all these years, with an intense pleasure, the splendid talent and manhood of your State, and God, who knows the secrets of our hearts, knows I have loved your women. I find in my heart an inexpressible happiness in being here to-day to unite with you in this centen- nial celebration. Over mountains and rivers, over hills and valleys, and over fields and forests I have come to be with you here, and now I salute you, my class-mates, companions and friends of my youth. Let us rejoice that we have met again; let us clap our hands together in joyful song over the memories of Auld Lang Syne. My class-mates, those were the halcyon days of life. Friendships formed when the heart is fresh and pure, free from the canker of the world and the foul slime of worldly considerations, are the sweetest and most durable. We could not forget them if we would. Every gale of pleasure will waft the sweet memory to our souls. Every storm of sorrow will bring back the contrast of past pleasures. If we are filled with the world's joys, they will grow brightest and greenest 204 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. amid the loves of our hearts; if we are cast down by misfortune and disaster, they will rear themselves, in the desert of our affections, a fitting monument over the grave of dead and buried hopes. And now, after long years of our parting, how happy is the hour of our meeting. " Oh, time is sweet, when roses meet With Spring's soft breath around them. And sweet the cost when hearts are lost. If those we love have found them: And sweet the mind that still can find A star in darkest weather. Yet, nought can be so swee^ to see. As old friends met together. " Those days of old, when youth was bold, And time stole wings to speed it. And youth ne*er knew how fast time flew — Or knowing, did not heed it; Though cold each brow that meets us now, For age brings wintry weather, Yet, nought can be more sweet to see. Than old friends met together." And it is a happy hour with us that we have here met together; but vibrations of sorrow and sadness break across our hearts, as we learn from one another the names of the dead of the class of 1853. Here we have wandered together through the campus and the grove as when we were boys. We Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 205 have looked in upon the same old college rooms in which we lived when we were students here. And those still, solemn, gray old walls have given back to us the whisperings of years long gone by. And when the college bell this morning awoke me from my slumbers, I felt that I should quickly spring from my couch and hasten to yonder old chapel to see again the strong and manly form of the vener- able Dr. Charles Phillips standing on the rostrum, with pencil and book in hand, calling — (The speaker here called the roll of his class from memory.) Of the fifty-seven graduates of 1853, only six of us are here to-day. God be merciful and good to all the others wherever they may be! I well remember them all — their happy faces and their manly forms. To you I tender a brother's greeting and a brother's love. May you in every thought bring back the past without a regret, gild the future with the brightest hope, and fill to overflowing your cups of happiness without a single drop of pain; and when in future memory reverts to your college days, may I be with you again and have a great big place in your hearts. Mr. President, that wonderful State in which I live demands a constant work from me. The book of the future is closed against us. The future conditions of life may prevent, or forbid, my attending your com- "206 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. mencements ; but if I am not here in person, I will be in spirit, and abide with you all in the sweetest meditations. Farewell — farewell, and may God be with you always. The Class of 1854. Was represented by Richard H. Battle, Esq., David S. Cowan, Esq., Capt, E. Hayne Davis, Col. John M. Galloway, Capt. Richard B. Henderson, Capt. Robert B. Johnston, Capt. Oscar R. Rand, Col. William L. Saunders, John D. Shaw, Esq., Capt. William H. Thompson, and Rev. William R. Wetmore. Mr. Richard H. Battle said: The class of 1854 numbered eighty-eight mem- bers in all during the college course, and of them over sixty graduated ; of these sixty, but twenty-six are now living. It was the largest class ever gradu- ated up to that time and for two or three years there- after. It was probably the youngest in the average of its members ever graduated from the institution, some eight or ten being only eighteen years old, only two as much as twenty-five, and the average not over twenty. It was also one of the most patriotic of classes. Nearly all of us volunteered at the call of Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 207 our State to arms in the late war. We furnished half a dozen or more field-officers and surgeons, about twenty captains and nearly as many lieutenants, while several others were content to serve as non-com- missioned officers and privates. About fifteen per cent, fill heroes' graves, at least four of the bravest and best having been killed in the battles before Rich- mond in the summer of 1862. Two of our gallant captains (Davis and Johnston) stand before you with empty sleeves. That some of us have been mindful of our duty to the State since the war, appears from the fact that one of us now present has twelve living children, and another, who would have come but for sickness, has eleven. The speaker for the class of 1847 has told you something of the introduction of Peirce's very diffi- cult mathematics into the institution. Our class, with that ahead of us, while Sophomores and Juniors, respectively, aided in the exit of his higher mathemat- ical books from the course of study here. Finding out that " Peirce's Analytics and Calculus, " which were bound in one volume, were out of print, an informal meeting of some of both classes, who had become hope- lessly lost in those studies, was held, and it was resolved that a holocaust of these books should be had. A committee was appointed to collect the condemned books, in any way that might be found effectual, and '208 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. the committee being successful in getting into their possession all but two or three, a great bonfire of these books was kindled one dark night in the rear of the campus, and in a few minutes only their ashes remained to tell the tale of their destruction. The next day, when their former owners were called up by the professors of mathematics to recite, they fessed, as the phrase then was, but with the excellent excuse that they had no books. The Faculty soon learned the true state of the facts, and, in view of the great temptation upon the boys to relieve themselves of a burden that seemed to them so grievous, they con- cluded to pass by the offence, and make the best of what they couldn't help, I do not mention this as to the credit of the classes of 1S53 and 1854, but only as a contribution to history. On the whole, we were not bad boys, but were generally on the side of law and order. lean hardly say more without trenching upon the time for hearing from other classes, and I will end my remarks upon the class of 1854 with a sugges- tion of a practical character, which was made to me to-day by a member of the class, and I now repeat it, in the hope that something may be made of it in the future. It is that, somehow, a voice should be given to the Alumni of this University, who, above all others, love it and desire its welfare, in the selection of at Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 209 least a part of the Board of Trustees. It is hoped that, before the next session of the General Assembly, a committee from the Alumni will consider and pre- sent some plan looking to this end, to the Legislature. What has worked so well in some of the great col- leges at the North, ought to succeed as well here. We now give place to our friends of the class of 1855. The Class of 1S55 Was represented by N. A. Boyden, Esq., M. S. Davis, Esq., Dr. William J. Love and Rev. S. P. Watters. Air. Watters said : The class of '55 greet their brethren of the Alumni on this auspicious occasion, the commemoration of the centennial of the founding of our honored Alma Hater. Our class-history, in brief, is that fifty-five mem- bers were graduated as Bachelors of Arts. Of this number, perhaps one-half are living. During the war the class furnished a noble complement of patriots to the Southern cause, one of its members attaining the rank of Brigadier General. To the learned professions the class has con- tributed its fair proportion. One of its members, a 14 210 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. former member of Congress in Louisiana ; one, latterly, an honored Judge on the Superior Court bench of the State ; one a distinguished physician in the city of New York; while the class has the exceptional distinction of contributing six of its members to the ministry of the Gospel. Where- soever found, in their various vocations and pur- suits, we believe they are sustaining the fair fame of our University. "We are happy to greet our brethren of the Alumni, reviving (as this reunion should) our loyalty to and our pride in our Alma Mater. We pledge our co- operation in any mode devised, in any work inaugu- rated, whose tendency shall be the building up of our honored University, fervently trusting that the tra- ditional glories of her past may be enhanced by her grander history in the near and coming future. The Class of 1S56 Was represented by W. F. Alderman, Esq., William Burwell, Esq., Hon. Clement Dowd, A. If. Merritt, Esq., and Col. B. R, Moore. Mr. Merritt said: The class which I have the honor to represent before this audience consisted of fifty-six members, 'Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 211 and graduated thirty-three years ago. It contained no geniuses, but stood high in scholarship, and much above the average class in moral tone and correct deportment, Its history, since graduation, has been alike useful to society and creditable to the Univer- sity. Various positions of trust and honor have been filled by its members, but no act that was not justi- fied by honor has ever attached to any single mem- ber. At the bar, in the pulpit, at the teacher's desk, in the halls of legislation, in the editorial chair, upon the tented field, always and everywhere, the class of 1856 has borne itself bravely. But a sad mortality has followed it. More than seventy per cent, have passed over to the great majority. The death-roll contains many names of men of high intellect and noble promise, who, dying, have left records of lives of true manhood. Turn to these mural tablets, and read the names of such chivalrous men as Morrow and Owens, and you may know well some of the sac- rifices made by this class on the altar of country and freedom. Go into the school-rooms, from Maine to California, and you will find what a rich and lasting legacy to the literature of the country William Bing- ham has made in his classical series. Of the living members of this class — "rari nantesin gurgitevasto" — Dr. J. B. Ivillebrew stands prominent. No man, living or dead, has done so much as he to 212 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. elevate the agricultural interests and develop the resources of the great State of Tennessee. Others occupy prominent places at the bar, at the sacred desk, and in the various walks of high and honorable life. Of these gentlemen who stand before you to-day, one has devoted a useful life to teaching, and is now a professor in one of our best colleges for young ladies ; another has been worn bald by the honors heaped upon him in the National Congress ; another has been touched lightly by time, and stands here in the pride of vigorous manhood, a representative of the legal profession ; another is prominent as a farmer and as the father of thirteen children, and as such he deserves to be honored "maxima cunt laude." Of the other member of the class present, perhaps the least said the better; but the temptation of a compliment to him is not to be resisted. He has shown, in one respect at least, more wisdom than Solomon, in that he has never married but one wife ; and taking advan- tage of the privilege granted to all Benedicts when out of ear-shot of their drill-masters, it is declared that the world would be all the better if the woman whose husband he is were spared to celebrate the next centennial. The class of 1856 bids the University and each brother alumnus hail ! — it bids them farewell ! Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 213 The Class of 185J Was represented by Hon. A. C. Avery, Maj. Robert Bingham, Dr. Daniel McL. Graham, Maj. John W. Graham, Col. Thomas S. Kenan, Dr. John M. La wing, and William H. Williams, Esq. Colonel Kenan presented the class in a few remarks. The Class of 185S Was represented by William Bonner, Esq., Hon. Lewis Hilliard, Col. John A. Gilmer, F. M. Johnson, Esq., Rev. R, H. Marsh, Thomas W. Mason, Esq., Col. A. C. McAlister, Dr. J. F. Miller, Col. James T. Morehead, James A. Walker, Esq. Mr. Thomas W. Mason said : Those of us present earnestly desired that our worthy class-mate, Judge Gilmer, should speak to you in our behalf, and represent the class of 1858. With his accustomed generosity he has insisted that I should be clothed with this honor, which, I am sure, I do not merit, but which I should greatly enjoy, if I felt that I could, without further time for thought, be just to the merits of the living and the memory of the dead. 214 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. On the third day of June, 1858, we went forth from Gerrard Hall, ninety-two in number, to our different homes: one to Arkansas, six to Alabama, two to Florida, two to Georgia, two to Louisiana, six to Mississippi, one to South Carolina, seven to Ten- nessee, three to Virginia and sixty-two to North Carolina. AVe have never met since. To-day, those of us present sat down on the steps of the old West Building and tried to recall our absent class-mates. The hand of time had scattered them far apart, and some of them we failed to trace. AVe sadly believe that half our number have died. Many of these fell while in the military service for the South. Their names appear in quick succession upon these walls: William Adams, of Guilford; Rob- ert Walker Anderson, of New Hanover; Jesse Sharpe Barnes, of Wilson ; Edward Starkie Bell, of Alabama ; Hugh Thomas Brown, of AVilkes; Thomas Cowan, of New Hanover; Robert Theodore Harris, of Alabama; Addison Harvey, of Mississippi; William Campbell Lord, of Rowan, one of our " first-honor" men ; John Merritt Perry, another "first-honor" man, of Beau- fort; David Jones Young, of Granville, afterwards, and at the time of his death, of Petersburg, Virginia. Their names are here ; their lives have passed into glorious history. I would willingly speak to you of each one of these whom we so much cherish, but I Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 215 am reminded that the hours are passing by, and that many others than those of the class of 1858 are worthy to be remembered on this day, which we have dedicated to the memory of the past. I must ask you, and I am sure my class-mates will approve it, to let me pause and say one word of Robert Walker Anderson, who was one of our "first-honor" men with greatest distinction. I have never known a clearer, stronger intellect, exalted and ennobled by a simpler, purer, kinder, braver heart than his. Peace and honor to him ! We gave to the Southern armyone General, Robert Daniel Johnston, of Lincoln, afterwards a lawyer of large practice in Mecklenburg, and now a citizen of Birmingham, Alabama. He was an efficient, dash- ing commander. It was my fortune to meet him once in the midst of a fierce conflict of arms, when he seized me by the hand, exclaiming, "Old friend, how glorious it is!" May success attend him in his new home. Six of our number commanded regiments in the same service. I am happy to say three of these are with us to-day, and I now have the pleasure to intro- duce to you Col. John Alexander Gilmer, of Guil- ford; Col. James Turner Morehead, also of Guilford, who was another of our "first-honor" men, and who has always remained first with us; and Col. Alexan- 216 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. der Carey McAlister, of Randolph, with whom time seems to have dealt so gently that the bloom of youth has not faded from his brow, nor his eye lost its old-time merry light, You will observe that my friend Colonel Gilmer limps as he walks; but, thanks to a kind Providence, the bullet did not stop the beating of his noble heart, or take from us any of the sunshine of his kindly face. Two of this num- ber, I regret to say, are not with us: Col. Hamilton Chamberlain Jones, of Rowan formerly, but now of Mecklenburg, and whom, if you please, we know best as our Ham Jones; and Richard W. Singleton, now living in Florida. The one remaining sleeps in an honored grave, Col. Leroy Mangum McAfee, of Cleveland, another "first-honor" man. Of less rank than these in the military service were forty or more of our number as we were able to follow them. I have given you the names of some of these among our honored dead, and some are present with us, whom I shall presently have the honor to introduce to you. Of those who are absent, and whom I have not already named, let me recall the following: James Smith Baker, now living in Florida; Lemuel Creecy Benbury, of Chowan, who has died since the war; Wilkins Bruce, of Virginia; William Macon Coleman, of Cabarrus, gifted as a writer, for- merly practising law in this State, but now residing Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. "Ill in Washington City ; David Short Goodloe, of. Mis- sissippi, who lost an arm during the war, was after- wards a minister of the Gospel of the Protestant Epis- copal Church, and is now dead ; his brother, Winter Hooe Goodloe, of Mississippi ; John Charles Goodman, of Gates, prosecuting his profession as a physician ; William May Hammond, of Anson, another of our " first-honor " men, who served with distinction on the staff of the lamented General Junius Daniel, who has attained to success in his profession as a lawyer, and is now residing in the State of Georgia; James. Stadler Hill, of Stokes, who is principal of a large school at Dalton, Ga.; William Washington Hum- phries, of Mississippi, a prominent and successful lawyer at Columbus; Stephen William Isler, of Wayne, a lawyer of large practice at Goldsboro ; William Little, of Wake, prominent as a physician at Raleigh until his death ; Thomas Noles Macart- ney, of Alabama, a well-known lawyer of Mobile ; Rufus Brooks Mann, of Granville ; James Alexander Marsh, of Randolph, who died while residing at Ral- eigh about ten years ago; Joseph Lucian McCon- naughey, of Rowan, practising his profession as a physician ; Frederick Philips, now the resident Judge of the Superior Court of the second judicial dis- trict ; John McCrarey Richmond, of South Carolina, a physician in Missouri; James Turner Scales, of "218 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. Virginia ; Benjamin Gordon Smith, of Halifax ; Wil- liam Thomas Sutton, of Bertie, now a physician of large practice in the city of Norfolk, Virginia ; Cald- well Calhoun Swayze, of Louisiana, residing in Ope- lousas of that State; Edward Turner Sykes, of Mis- sissippi, a successful lawyer of Columbus, recently a prominent member of the Legislature of Mississippi ; Henry Humphreys Tate, of Mecklenburg, now engaged in farming ; William Lewis Twitty, of Ruth- erford ; Samuel Edward Westray, of Nash, now engaged in banking and a large planter; Joseph Mastris White, of Florida, now dead; Thomas Smith Whitted, of Bladen ; Joseph Williams, of Yadkin, of whose death within a recent period I have learned: Julius Walker Wright, of New Hanover, who died in 1878 ; William Hamilton Young, of Granville, who was Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, a prominent law- yer, and who died at his home in the town of Hen- derson a few years ago. I grieve to say, for lack of information, I can make no statement as to the remaining members of our class. Sad to relate, not a few of our number died soon after graduation. Our valedictorian, William Carey Dowd, of Wake, with the shadow of death upon his pale brow when he bade us good-bye, lingered but a Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 219 few months thereafter. The gentle Nathaniel Pear- son Lusher, of Tennessee, died at his home in Mem- phis in 1859. Handsome, genial Ambrose Davie, " Little Dutch," as we used to call him, perished, with his beautiful bride, in February, IS >1, by the burn- ing of the steamer "Charmer" on the Mississippi, above New Orleans. And so passed away early, my friends Samuel Mitchell Brinson, of Craven, and William John Foreman, of Pitt, with the latter of whom I had been associated for six years of my school life. And later than these, S. Dupuy Goza, of Louisiana; Samuel Turner Sykes, of Mississippi; Macon Tucker Dugger, of Warren ; William Whita- ker, of Halifax; William Murphy, of Rowan; John Webster Tate, of Gaston, and of still more recent date, Richard Caswell Swain, of Chapel Hill. We gave to the bench of North Carolina three of our number. One of these, who has retired from official life, and is now engaged in the business of a cotton factor, is here with us from his home in the city of Norfolk, Virginia, and I now have the plea- sure to introduce to you Judge Louis Hilliard. I am pleased to inform 'you that our late Colonel Gilmer is now before you as Judge Gilmer, wearing the ermine of the Judge as courageously as he did the stars of the Colonel. The other of these is now 220 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. absent in the active discharge of the duties of his commission, Judge Frederick Philips, of Edgecombe. Ten of our class are present. One of these has come from his distant home in Tennessee to take another look at the old campus and drink again from the old college well, and I now present to } 7 ou my .class-mate, "William Bonner, of Fayetteville, Tennessee. When he was here before, he was Wil- liam Bonner, Jr., now he is William Bonner. Sr. ; but, I am happy to note how gently the passing years have dealt with him. And now let me enjoy the pleasure of presenting to you my other class-mates as they stand before you. Francis Marion Johnson, of Davie; Rev. Robert Henry Marsh, of Chatham: Dr. John Ful- lenwilder Miller, of Goldsboro, and James Alves W T alker. of Wilmington. I am delighted to observe how very well my class-mates are looking. I believe we have all gained flesh since we reached old Chapel Hill. I know we have gained unspeakable happi- ness. 1 wish to make a startling announcement before I close. Two of our number are still unmarried. I will not give you their names; I will only say that they are the very finest fellows in the world, and I now propose to my class-mates that we offer a cup of sold to the one of these that shall exhibit at our Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 221 next reunion the larger matrimonial progress. I have attempted this sketch of the class of 1858, unworthy of them, I know. We claim no merit or distinction over any of those who have gone before us, or who have come after us. We only desire this: that we yield to no other class in our devotion to the past history of our Alma Mater, in our deep' and abiding interest in her present development, and our concern and our hopes for the future that lies before her. The Class of /Sjg Was represented by Hon. Mills L. Eure, John M. Fleming, Esq., Rev. S. H. Isler, Daniel P. McEachern, Esq., Marshall H. Pinnix, Esq., James P. Taylor, Esq., and Colonel E. B. Withers. Judge Eure said : In behalf of the class of 1859 we will speak briefly. It was one of the largest classes graduated at the University up to that date. The period at which we were graduated put us at the threshold of active life at the time when the people of the South believed that their equal rights under the Constitution of our country were in jeopardy. These rights they deter- 222 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. mined to defend with their fortunes and their lives, and the appeal to arms was sounded throughout the land. Actuated by patriotism, and with a courage undaunted, our class, in solid phalanx, almost with- out exception, entered the contest ; and in some capac- ity nearly every member of the class did service in the Confederate army. Our ranks were thinned by the casualties of war, and we stand before you here but few in number. From the best information I can obtain, more than twenty per cent, of the class were killed in battle, died of wounds received in bat- tle, or by disease during the war. The names of many of them are upon the memorial tablets on these walls. And while there is sadness and sorrow in our • hearts at their loss so early in manhood, still we have the proud satisfaction of knowing that their memory is safe. Their gallant deeds in battle, and noble sacrifice of life, have enshrined their memories in the hearts of a grateful people, and these memories will ever remain fresh, so long as the people of this South-land shall remember to love virtue, practise justice, and have the courage to defend civil and religious liberty. Many of our class have attained high distinction in the learned professions, and we regret to say that the brightest of these have gone to premature graves. We call to mind an incident in our college life which deserves mention. During Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 223 our Senior year, we think, some students, possibly of the bad kind, like my friend Colonel Kenan's class, excited by some imaginary wrong done them by the Faculty, avenged themselves by burning the benches taken from the recitation rooms, and, I think, by burning the belfry. These outrages were condemned by the more orderly class of students, and through the efforts of our class in the literary societies mea- sures were adopted to discourage the destruction of college property, and the disgraceful act was never repeated. As to the future of our Alma Mater our class- mates feel the most profound interest, There may be some objections to the University in some sections, arising from rivalry or slight prejudices, as there always have been. These must be met by her friends, and especially by the Alumni, with moderation and sound reason. The record of her Alumni for the past century; their great deeds in shaping the des- tiny of a great State; their efforts in promoting our entire educational system; the renown they have attained in every vocation in almost every State; the paramount necessity for sustaining, without stint, the broadest facilities for the highest possible educa- tional attainments, must be presented to our people. When this is done, we have the abiding faith that the intelligence and patriotism of our citizens will 224 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. lead them to realize the necessity for a great Uni- versity in North Carolina, and secure for it that sup- port which will enable it to achieve even greater triumphs in the coming century than it has in the past. For the accomplishment of this our class- mates pledge their most earnest efforts. The Class of 1S60 Was represented by Capt. W. T. Allen, A. S. Bar- bee, Esq., Capt. W. H. Borden, Col. E. J. Hardin and Capt. R. P. Howell. Captain Allen said : After an absence of twenty-nine most eventful years, we re-assemble to join with you on this centen- nial anniversary. Our class numbered one hun- dred and thirty-one matriculates, and represented every Southern and some of the Western States — ninety-five of whom graduated. Is it not surprising, out < f so large a class, that there are only six of us present to enjoy this reunion and participate in these pleasant exercises? But look at these tablets, and you learn a sad story. Ours was the last to graduate before the war, and, before we could settle down to any special vocation, our Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 225 noble boys, true to the principles which they had, in a great measure, imbibed here, wanting to discharge the full duty of American citizens, regardless of any other consideration but that of duty, went forward as brave soldiers to sacrifice their young and prom- ising lives upon the altar of their country. Our class furnished more soldiers' and lost more lives, probably, than any other. While we do not boast, like some preceding classes, of furnishing the greatest number of men who have risen high in legal, scien- tific and political eminence, we can refer with pride to such men as E. J. Hale (who sends greeting to ; this body to-day by telegram from Manchester), and others, occupying high social and responsible posi- tions, who are honored members of this class. But on the list of the Confederate dead are the names of those who could have adorned any posi- tion to which they might have been called. First, you notice the name of Junius C. Battle, a brother of the honored President of this University, graduating with the first distinction, and possessing all the ele- ments of success, and surrounded by every advan- tage and encouragement for promotion — scarcely twenty years old. It looks too sad that a life of such promised usefulness should be lost on the threshold of its manhood. There are others, whom we can not enumerate, who would have honored society and 15 226 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. made the world better by their lives. But, old com- rades, all of you, wherever you are, be you living or dead, we will always love every member of the class of 1860. The Class of 1 86 1 Was represented by Capt. Calvin Barnes, E. G. Brodie, Esq., Capt. George B. Bullock, Capt. John D. Currie, Hon. Thomas D. Johnston, Col. James G. Kenan, Col. J. Turner Morehead, James Parker, Esq., and Joshua G. Wright, Esq. Hon. Thomas D. Johnston said : The history of the class of 1861 — which, by the partiality of its members now present, I am desig- nated to represent on this occasion — up to the date of its graduation, is but a counterpart of the history of those preceding it, We were actuated during our course at the Univer- sity by the same ambitions; inspired by the same hopes; engaged in the same generous rivalry for the honors; had our proportion of disappointments, and enjoyed a due share of the pleasures incident to col- lege life common to all the other classes ; and the friendships then formed constitute the basis of the Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 227 great pleasure which this happy reunion has afforded to the few survivors who attend this centennial anni- versary. But from the date of its graduation in June, 18(51, during the dark days of the history of the State and of the University, the history of the class is literally writ- ten in the blood of its members. It is essentially the war-class of the University. It forms, indeed, the key-stone of that glorious arch which spans the most trying epoch of our State, reaching from the time when our University was at the zenith of its prosper- ity to the date which marks its most gloomy period, and to-day stands as a monument to the undaunted valor of her devoted and patriotic sons. The echoes of the speeches of its eighty-seven graduates had not died away in yonder hallowed chapel, ere the thunder - ings from the belching cannon and rattling musketry from the battle-field of Bethel were wafted across the borders of our beloved State, and announced that the first victory of the late unfortunate war had been won by the bravery and steadfastness of North Car- olina's devoted sons. In response to the call of their country, these eighty-seven young men, almost before the ink was dry upon the parchments which enrolled them as alumni of this University, were enrolled as volunteer soldiers of the Confederate army. Many of them did not reach their homes after graduating before they enlisted, and all, without a single excep- 228 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. tion, so far as we can ascertain, promptly entered the ranks of the country's defenders, and from that date to the close of the war the history of their lives is indeed a bright and shining record of valor and hero- ism. It is so closely interwoven with the history of the State, the gallant deeds of whose brave sons illustrated on so many bloody fields, not alone Spar- tan valor, but indeed what is more, North Carolina courage, that the historian who truthfully portrays North Carolina's part in that dreadful struggle of four years, will, of necessity, write also the history of this class. On almost every battle-field, from the rolling plains of the first Manassas through the vari- ous bloody conflicts of Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Malvern Hill, Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, Get- tysburg, the Wilderness, and the hundred other scenes of carnage which mark almost every spot of Virginia soil in the Eastern campaign, as well as the many equally fierce and glorious fields of the West, from disastrous Fishing Creek to Atlanta, the class of 1861 was represented by some of its members. But should I be asked for the evidence of the patriotism and courage of my class, I point with peculiar but mourn- ful pride to the roll of honor of the two hundred and sixty alumni who gave their lives to their country, which adorns the walls of this Memorial Hall, where are enrolled the names of more than one-third of the Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 229 eighty-seven who left this rostrum in 1861 to do bat- tle for their section. Upon that sacred roll is written the names of thirty of our class-mates, whose memo- ries will ever be cherished by us, their survivors, and throughout the borders of our State will their exam- ples of heroism be pointed to with pride by all com- ing generations. "Si quasris monument am, circwm- spice." I will be pardoned if I specially mention the name of that brave and gallant soldier, Col. John Jones, of Caldwell county, who fell at the head of his regiment leading his equally brave comrades to the fierce struggle. Of him it was said by his com- manding general, that he was " worth his weight in gold. " His various deeds of daring and courage which made him conspicuous as a soldier and leader, will be recorded in his country's history. His career is but the counterpart of the career of all the other noble dead of our class. But it is not alone, sir, to this roll of our dead class- mates—glorious and sacred as it is — that we point for evidence of our devotion to our State. It is with equal and just pride that I mention here the astound- ing fact that the eleven men who stand before you the representatives of our class, bear upon their bodies the marks of twexty-fivk honorable wounds, received in the battles of the late war. This is a living speaking evidence that the class of 1SG1 was, 230 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. indeed, the war-class of this institution. But, Mr. Chairman, it is not alone in war that this class has become memorable for its patriotic services. The remnant who survived the struggle returned to their devastated homes, and faithfully acted their part in building up the waste places of the State. Debarred for a number of years by the political situation which immediately succeeded the termination of hostilities, and which was forced upon them by a course of events over which they could exercise no control, they quietly, but manfully, performed their parts as citizens, sharing in the deep humiliation visited upon a prostrate and helpless section. As soon, however, as time brought about a better condition of affairs, and they were permitted to assist in shaping the policy of the State, they again came to her rescue, and in the civil positions of State and National leg- islators, judges, executive officers, &c, a due propor- tion of its members have received high honors at the hands of their fellow-citizens : and in these various positions they have all been found in the front rank, doing their full measure of duty. In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, it is with becoming pride that we challenge comparison with any other class which has graduated from this University. Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 231 The Class of 1S62 Was represented by Marsden Bellamy, Esq., Col. Joseph A. Haywood, Hon. Thomas G. Skinner and H. C. Wall, Esq. Hon. Thomas G. Skinner presented the class in a few words. The Class of 1S63 Was represented by Rev. Dr. John K Carroll, W. N. Mebane, Esq., and W. M. Watkins, Esq. Dr. Carroll said: The class of Alumni born to Alma Mater in 1863 was small in numbers. There were only eight of us. But let not the larger classes of preceding years look down with contempt upon us, for they must remem- ber that '03 was not a good year for University boys. " Never in the tide of time," said Governor Swain in that year, " has there been such a cloud overhang- ing the University." The class which had started in '59 with one hun- dred and thirty Freshmen, had dwindled down to 232 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. eight during the Senior year, and as I stood in the old chapel to-day, it did not require a stretch of my imagination to hear dear old Mr. Fetter calling the roll — "Argo, Broyles, Carr, Carroll, Hines, Marshall, Q,uarles, Watkins." Of this class there are six sur- viving. Hines sickened and died not long after the close of the war ; Quarles, impersonation of modesty, gentleness and inoffensiveness, was stricken down in wanton violence, by a bully, upon the streets of Waco, Texas. Of the survivors, Argo is a popular lawyer in Raleigh ; Broyles is said to be somewhere in Tennessee; Carr is a successful farmer and mer- chant in his native county of Pitt; Marshall is the popular pastor of Christ Church in Raleigh; and Watkins, who stands by my side, is a prosperous and happy tobacconist in his native town of Milton. He and I, as the representatives of the graduates of '(33, and Mr. Mebane, who left the class at an earlier period for the war, tender to our Alma Mater our con- gratulations on this delightful reunion of her sons. We are in fullest sympathy with this centennial occa- sion; and join heartily in the rejoicings that are enkindled by the touching reminiscences of the past, and the inspiring hopes of the future. But recog- nizing the fact that the lateness of the hour forbids extended remarks, we restrain the disposition to indulge in them. We content ourselves with a Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 233 single word to those who came before us, and to those who come after us. We address ourselves to our seniors with assurances of our fraternal regards. We mark with tender solicitude their rapidly thinning- ranks, their gradually whitening locks and stooping forms, and devoutly pray for them a green and happy old age, and an abundant entrance into the better land when the summons shall come for them to go hence. To our juniors we turn with all the authority which seniority confers, and admonish them to double their diligence in the service of Alma Mater. Into their hands, in great part, her interests must be committed, and if she shall ever attain the distinc- tion so earnestly coveted for her, it must be largely through their instrumentality. A sacred trust is passing into their keeping — one fraught with great honor to themselves and with incalculable good to North Carolina, and to the world at large. Let them guard it with undying devotion. And when, down the stream of time, disgorging its waters into the vast ocean of eternity, we all shall have floated and been forgotten, may larger and better classes of Alumni be born to Alma Mater year after year in the coming centuries — Alumni who shall promptly and gladly rise up and call her blessed, and by their devoted services gather around her head a halo of '234 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. glory which shall pale only in the reflected light of eternity. The Class of 186-4. Was represented by A. M. Boozer, Esq., Hon. Wal- ter Clark, William A. Guthrie, Esq.. W. R. Kenan, Esq., and Capt. Octavius A. Wiggins. Mr. Guthrie presented the class briefly. The Class of 1863 Was represented by Henry A. London, Esq., who said: I much regret that I am the only representative present of the class of 1865, which may aptly be called the " war class,"' having been the first to matriculate after the beginning of the war, and the first to graduate after its close. ■Just after the Confederate victory at Manassas, when the star of the young Confederacy had emerged with such brilliancy in the firmament of nations, about fifty youths of our State, buoyant with bright Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 235 hopes, and yet, fearful lest the war should close before they could take part therein, matriculated at the University and entered the Freshman class. The history of that class is similar to the history of the Confederate States, and is marked by the varying fortunes of war. As the war progressed, and the contending armies drew nearer, the mem- bers of that class, one after another, enlisted in the depleted ranks of their struggling country- men, and, leaving the quiet shades of their Alma Mater, went forth like men (though only boys) to do and to die for "God and their native land" — until finally, when the star of the Confederacy had for- ever sunk in the darkness of disaster and defeat, there remained only one member of that once buoy- ant band who had gone through the entire college curriculum. The lateness of the hour and your exhausted patience will not permit my giving a detailed history of the class of 1S65, or a mention of many of the exciting incidents of college life during the troub- lous and dark days of horrid war, a diary of which I kept at the time, and still have. The catalogue of 1863 and '64 shows that the number of students then enrolled was only seventy-nine. By the earnest appeals and persistent efforts of Governor Swain, the Confederate authorities exempted from conscription 236 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. until 1864 the few members of the two higher classes who were liable to military duty. He urged upon President Davis that " the seed-corn must not be ground up," and through the self-sacrificing efforts of himself and all the members of the Faculty, the University was kept open during the entire war, and even when Sherman's soldiers entered Chapel Hill in April, 1865, there were still some ten or twelve boys pursuing their studies. During all those days of bloodshed and carnage — when in the distance might be heard the boom of cannon and the burst- ing of shells — yonder old bell daily sounded its summons to recitations and prayers! In the latter part of 1864 duty called me away from the quiet life of a college student to share the hardships and dangers of the "tented field "; and on my return home from Appomattox Court House, I and other members of the Senior class were notified by Governor Swain that he would grant us diplomas as regular graduates if we would return to the Univer- sity and deliver orations at the approaching Com- mencement, Only four of the class appeared in response to this notification, and some of them under much difficulty — it falling to my lot to travel on foot the greater part of my journey to Chapel Hill. The audience to which our graduating addresses were Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. 237 delivered, consisted chiefly of visitors from the North — soldiers of the Federal army. Those four graduates are now scattered on two continents — one residing in the city of Paris, one in Montana Territory, one in the State of New York, and I here. Of that number two are ministers of the Gospel, so that the class of 1865 can boast that one-half of its graduates entered the sacred ministry! In glancing over my college diary a few days ago, I found on the last page the following entry : " Thus ends, in all probability, my last day at the University of North Carolina, as I leave to-morrow, and in a few days 'off to the wars we'll go'"! and the very last words there recorded express a sentiment that has always animated the students of this university — one to which every heart here beats a warm and responsive throb — and one to which with sincere pleasure I now again, after the lapse of twenty-five years, give utterance — "Hurrah for Chapel Hill"! It w 7 as now long after midnight, and the roll-call of classes ceased at this point. On motion of W. J. Peele, Esq., it was Resolved by the Alumni Association that a com- mittee of twelve, with Col. W. L. Saunders as chair- man, be appointed by the President to report to the next meeting of the Alumni a plan for establishing a Chair of History at this University. 238 Centennial Alumni Reunion by Classes. On motion of Hon. John A. Gilmer, it was Resolved that the President appoint a committee to arrange for annual alumni reunions on Wednes- day of Commencement week. On motion, the thanks of the Alumni Association were voted the Committee of Arrangements. The Association then adjourned. Thus closed the Centennial Reunion,, one of the most brilliant and delightful occasions in the history of the Univer- sity. Quis est nostrum liberaliter educatus, cud non educa- tores, cui non magistri sui atque doctores, cui non locus ipse ille rnnl us, ulii alitus ctut doctusest, cum grata recor- datione in mente versetur f LIST OF ALUMNI PRESENT AT THE REUNION. The following list of Alumni present at the Reunion is published here, though not complete: 1824. Armand J. DeRosset, Wilmington. 1827. Paul C. Cameron, Raleigh. 1831. Giles Mebane, Milton. 1832. Thomas L. Clingman, Asheville. Thomas W. Harriss, Panacea Springs. Richard H. Smith, Scotland Neck. 1836. William L. Stamps, Milton. 1840. William Johnston, Charlotte. William M. Shipp, Charlotte. 240 List of Alumni Present at the Reunion. 1841. Stephen Graham, Kenansville. 1842. Rufus Barringer, Charlotte. William W. Harriss, Wilmington. 1S43. Robert P. Dick, Greensboro. Rufus H. Jones, Gary. John L. Williamson, Caswell County. 1844. •James H. Horner, Oxford. Walter L. Steele, Rockingham. Aclolphus G. Jones. Cary. 1845. Joseph B. Batchelor, Raleigh. Leonidas Taylor, Oxford. 1840. William A. Faison. Warsaw. William B Meares, Wilmington. 1847. Thomas E. Skinner, Raleigh. Thomas Webb, Hillsboro. R. H. Winborne, Barnitz. List of Alumni Present at the Reunion. 241 1848. Nathan A. Ramsey, Durham. 1849. Kemp P. Battle, Chapel Hill. William E. Hill, Faison. Peter E. Hines, Raleigh. B. W. Whitfield, Demopolis, Ala, 1850. James F. Cain, Durham. Joseph J. Davis, Louisburg. John W. Lewis, Milton. John Manning, Chapel Hill. 1851. Peter E. Smith, Scotland Neck. 1852. Robert L. Beall, Lenoir. George A. Brett, Lotta, John R. Hutchins, Chapel Hill. Richard H. Lewis, Kinston. 1853. Baldy A. Capehart, Kittrell. Alexander Mclver, Pittsboro. John L. Morehead, Charlotte. Henry R. Shorter, Montgomery, Ala. 16 242 List of Alumni Present at the Reunion. John D. Taylor, Wilmington. David G. Worth, Wilmington. 1854. Richard H. Battle, Raleigh. D. S. Cowan, Wilmington. E. Hayne Davis, Statesville. John M. Galloway, Madison. R. B. Henderson, Henderson. Robert B. Johnston, Asheville. Oscar R, Rand, Smithfield. William L. Saunders, Raleigh. John D. Shaw, Rockingham. William H. Thompson. Clinton. William R. Wetmore, Lincolnton. 1855. Nathaniel A. Boyden, Forsyth County, Matthew S. Davis, Louisburg. William J. Love, Wilmington. Samuel Paxson Watters, ]\Iorganton. 1856. W. F. Alderman, Greensboro. William H. Burwell, Manson. Clement Dowd, Charlotte. Abram H. Merritt, Pittsboro. Benjamin R. Moore, Wilmington. List of Alumni Present at the Reunion. 243 1857. Alphonso C. Avery, Morganton. Robert Bingham, Bingham School. Daniel M. Graham, Fayetteville. John W. Graham, Hillsboro. Thomas S. Kenan, Raleigh. John M. La wing, Lincolnton. William H. Williams, Warsaw. 1858. William Bonner, Fayetteville, Tenn. Louis Hilliard, Norfolk, Va. . John A. Gilmer, Greensboro. Francis M. Johnson, Farmington. R. H. Marsh, Pittsboro. Thomas W. Mason, Garysburg. A. C. McAlister, Ashboro. J. F. Miller, Goldsboro. James T. Moreheacl, Greensboro. James A. Walker, Wilmington. 1859. Mills L. Eure, Norfolk, Va. John M. Fleming, Raleigh. Simmons H. Isler, Goldsboro. Daniel P. McEachern, Mill Prong. Marshall H. Pinnix, Lexington. 244 List of Alumni Present at the\Rennion. James P. Taylor, Columbia, Texas. Elijah B. Withers, Danville, Va. 1860. W. T. Allen, Oxford. Algernon S. Barbee, Chapel Hill. William H. Borden, Goldsboro. Edward J. Hardin, Raleigh. Robert P. Howell, Goldsboro. 1861. Calvin Barnes, Wilson. Edmund G. Brodie, Henderson. George B. Bullock, Warren County. John D. Currie, Clarkton. Thomas D. Johnston, Asheville. James G. Kenan, Kenansville. James T. Morehead, Leaksville. James Parker, Gatesville. Joshua G. Wright, Wilmington. 1862. Marsden Bellamy, Wilmington. Joseph A. Haywood, Raleigh. Thomas G. Skinner, Hertford. Henry C. Wall, Rockingham. 1863. John L. Carroll, Asheville. List of Alumni Present at the Reunion. 245 William N. Mebane, Wentworth. Warner M. Watkins, Milton. 1864. Albert M. Boozer, Columbia, S. C. Walter Clark, Raleigh. William A. Guthrie, Durham. William R. Kenan, Wilmington. Octavius A. Wiggins, Wilmington. 1865. Henry A. London, Pittsboro. 1866. Julian S. Carr, Durham. 1S6S. William H. S. Burgwyn, Henderson. A. W. Graham, Oxford. Isaac R. Strayhorn, Hillsboro. George G. Thomas, Wilmington. Charles E. Watson, Durham. 1869. Alexander Graham, Charlotte. William E. Murchison, Jonesboro. Piatt D. Walker, Charlotte. Joseph C. Webb, Hillsboro. 246 List of Alumni Present at the Reunion. 1870. Charles A. Cook, Warrenton. Richard H. Lewis, Raleigh. George T. Winston, Chapel Hill. 1871. James T. Crocker, Asheboro. Fred. A. Olds, Raleigh. 1878. Charles C. Covington, Wilmington. H. T. Watkins. Henderson. 1879. John C. Angier, Durham. Kemp P. Battle, Jr., Raleigh. Frank K. Borden, Goldsboro. Richard B. Henderson, Wilton. James S. Manning, Durham. John M. Manning, Durham. W. J. Peele, Raleigh. David C. Stanback, Richmond County. Robert Strange, Wilmington. Isaac M. Taylor, Morganton. Robert W. Winston, Oxford. Francis I). Winston, Windsor. 1880. Thomas H. Battle, Rocky Mount. List of Alumni Present at the Reunion. "2^1 Thomas C. Brooks, Daysville. Locke Craig, Asheville. ' 1881. ■ William J. Adams, Carthage. ■ Herbert B. Battle, Raleigh. Frank B. Dancy, Raleigh. Alfred D. Jones, Raleigh. James M. Leach, Lexington. Charles D. Mclver, Raleigh. John A. Mclver, Jonesboro. James D. Murphy, Greenville. Walter E. Philips, Battleboro. James H. Southgate, Durham. Leroy Springs, Lancaster, S. C. John M. Walker, Charlotte. R. W. Winborne, Murfreesboro. 188-2. E. A. Alderman, Goldsboro. Thomas J. Gill, Laurinburg. Albert S.. Grandy, Oxford. James G. Hunt, Oxford. Alex. W. McAlister, Ashboro. Duncan E. Mclver, Sanford. 1883. David S. Cowan, Henderson. John McC. Dick, Greensboro. 248 List of Alumni Present at the Reunion. Robert P. Gray, Greensboro. Edward C. Smith, Raleigh. 18S4. S. M. Gattis, Hillsboro. James Lee Love, Chapel Hill. H. J. Overman, Salisbury. William G. Randall, McKinney, Texas. Frank S. Spruill, Louisburg. 1885. Josephus Daniels, Raleigh. Adolphus H. Eller, Winston. Oscar B. Eaton, Mocksville. Alexander J. Feild, Oxford. Augustus W. Long, Spartanburg, S. C. Berrie C. Mclver, Goldsboro. R. S. Neal, Scotland Neck. John U. Newman, Graham. Alfred D. Ward, Kenansville. Sol. C. Weill, Wilmington. 1886. William H. Carroll, Burlington. Charles T. Grandy, Raleigh. Luther B. Grandy, Oxford. Samuel S. Jackson, Pittsboro. Herbert W. Jackson, Raleigh. List of Alumni Present at the Reunion. 249 Frank M. Little, Washington, D. C. William P. McGehee, Raleigh. Pierre B. Manning, Wilmington. John M. Morehead, Charlotte. H. W. Rice, Richmond, Va. Robert L. Stroud, Chapel Hill. John F. Schenck, Durham. James Thomas, New Berne. Robert L. Uzzel], Roanoke, Va. Stephen B. Weeks, Chapel Hill. Paul Wilkes, Charlotte. 1887. Robert T. Burwell, Raleigh. Robert G. Grissom, Raleigh. Richard N. Hackett, Wilkesboro. Jacob C. Johnson, Johnson's Mills. Vernon W. Long, Winston. William H. McDonald, Charlotte. John F. Mclver, Winder. Joseph A. Morris, Wilton. Albert M. Simmons, Fairfield. William S. Wilkinson, EnHeld. 1888. Oliver D. Batchelor, Nashville. William James Battle, Chapel Hill. Hayne Davis, Statesville. 250 List of Alumni Present at the Reunion. L. B. Edwards, Winston. James L. Foster, Raleigh. Frank L. Harper, Raleigh. William E. Headen, Pittsboro. St. Clair Hester, Raleigh. R. L. Holt, Burlington. William M. Little, Statesville. Julius C. Martin, Creswell. Malvern H. Palmer, Warren County. Benoni Thorp, Raleigh. Eugene P. Withers, Danville, Va. 1889. Caleb G. Gates, Rock Spring. Herbert Clement, Mocksville. Daniel J. Currie, Stewart's. Walter M. Curtis, Franklinsville. James E. B. Davis, Pikeville. Mills R. Eure, Norfolk, Va, Walter M. Hammond, Archdale. Hunter L. Harris, Raleigh. John S. Hill, Faison. Logan D. Howell, Goldsboro. Lacy L. Little, Little's Mills. Thomas L. Moore, Greenville, S. C. William S. Roberson, Chapel Hill. A. A. F. Seawell. Jonesboro. List of Alumni Present at the Reunion. 251 Alexander Stronach, Raleigh. Clinton L. Toms, Hertford. Charles A. Webb, Warren Plains. George S. Wills, Greensboro. William A. Wilson, Sutherland. Henry G. Wood, Edenton. It is earnestly requested that the Alumni of each class will interest themselves in collecting material for a permanent and complete history of that class. ■ ■ lW€;