Journal of Proceedings and Addresses of the 1st-25th Annual Meeting (Paperback)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: ADDRESS OF WELCOME. HOJST. RuTLEDGE SMITH. Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: By reason of the enforced absence from the city of our distinguished Governor, in whom we have the best friend of education in Tennessee, he bids me speak to you upon this occasion. With great pleasure we welcome the representatives of these splendid organizations to the home of education, refinement and culture. It is very fitting indeed that you should hold the sessions of this Association under such conditions and surroundings as greet you in Nashville and in Tennessee. No state in the South can boast of so many universities, colleges, and high institutions of learning as does the Volunteer State. Here in this state, in this territory of fruitful and prolific fields, that produce profitably every crop and fruit that is grown in the entire union, with the single exception of the orange of Florida, our matchless resources are diversified. We could build a wall around Ten7ie?see and produce everything that is necessary to the comfort, happiness and civilization of our people. Here the air is the purest, the dewdrops are more brilliant and the song.s of the birds are sweeter than those of any land. But we do not choose to thus rock-ribbed encompass ourselves, but rather to keep open house in order that our friends may come hither and enjoy our hospitality and prosperity. Nature has been lavish to Tennessee, and we have not 'been unmindful of our opportunities. With our strong and sturdy manhood, and with the examples of our illustrious forefathers, we have builded wisely and well, and be it said to out credit that we can today boast of an educational and industrial development excelled by no state in this union. With joy and glad hearts do we welcome you to the proud old Volunteer State, and ...