societies aided in a considerable degree in the construction and adornment of their beautiful Halls and library rooms. Probably no Societies in America have superior accommodations in these respects, and I am bound to say that in my opinion, no Societies, by intelligent and honest devotion to the purposes of their creation better deserve them. Long may they flourish.
We come at last to the Memorial Hall, which though about to take a winter nap, will in the spring, we hope, rise rapidly in all its harmony and grandeur. I have already explained to the students that a miscalculation as to the cost was made by the architect, and hence a delay is necessary in order to replenish our Treasury. I desire it to be understood that very experienced builders think that the work ought to be stopped for a while in order to allow the timbers to dry. They are green as yet, and greenness is a fault in architectural as well as intellectual timbers. After being securely covered so that the rain and snow shall not reach them, the great rafters will by the end of winter shrink to their final dimensions and support their majestic roof with no warpings or distortions.
Such a Hall is necessary, in order to enable us to accommodate our visitors--the people of North Carolina. We have gained much odium by turning from our door the good citizens, who made long journeys in order to hear the eloquence of our Representatives and Graduates. Every person, rich and poor, who desires, should have, and shall have a comfortable seat during our commencement exercises.
This hall will supply all our needs. It will hold 2450 seated without crowding, and if needed 4000 can be pleasantly cared for by utilizing the aisles. You can gain a vivid idea of its proportions by noting that the New West Building can be placed in it, centre to centre, and whirled around without touching its walls.
It will be a Memorial Hall, not alone of my predecessor, who so long and so ably presided over this institution, Gov. Swain, but of all the departed good and great--Trustees, Professors, Alumini--who have aided and honored the University. It will be a Memorial of those gallant Alumni who, at the call of our State, gave up their lives in the great civil war. Though God gave them not the victory, and though we will not question the wisdom of the decision of the All-Wise, yet we must always honor the courage, the devotion to duty, the high resolve and the willing sacrifice of our Confederate Dead.
A writer in the News-Observer, says the plan of honoring the great and worthy men of the University of our State, trustees, professors and students, by placing on the walls of Memorial Hall tablets in their memory, has met with great favor. Such has been its reception that we are able to pronounce it crowned with success.
We have not seen the list of all for whom tablets have been pledged, but we have heard of the following, who are certainly deserving of the highest honor-for example, there is Samuel Johnston, the first named of the board of trustees, that of 1789; forty of the most illustrious men of the day. Gov. Johnston was the first who held executive power in our State, having been president of the provincial council of 1775, which was our provisional government. He was president of the convention which adopted the constitution of the United States; also one of the first Senators, where he he ranked with the ablest men of America. He was afterwards judge and governor.
Tablets are also engaged for Gen. Wm. Lenoir, of King's Mountain fame, who was the first president of the first board of trustees, and and the last survivor of the board, dying in
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