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This age and country present not only an opportunity, but an actual need for the exercise of the highest moral and intellectual excellence to which human nature can attain. Prepare then to deserve the confidence of your country, and let no consideration ever tempt you to betray it. Be ready to sacrifice personal ambition to public duty. Be slow to give ear to temporary excitements, and never swerve from right to appease the threatening clamors of faction. We have a country great and free; none has ever presented a career so glorious, or conferred in the same length of time so many blessings upon mankind. The influence of its institutions has spread into every land where civilization finds a home, and the fruits of its industry have clothed and fed suffering millions. The oppressed of everv land stretch their arms to us, and prefer for our welfare their earnest petitions to heaven. Every heart that throbs in a human bosom, has an interest staked. Our past is bright and glorious-in the present are threatening clouds—the future is darkness. Where are the high-souled youths in whose hearts is cherished the manly purpose to train themselves in wisdom and virtue, to take charge of that future and gild it with the light of the past? Their names shall be among the brightest on the scrolls of fame, and all the tongues and kindreds of the earth shall call them blessed. And when those who now tread the scene shall have passed away and left to your keeping the precious destiny of the States united and free, let no link drop from that golden chain-cling to your inheritance in every particle of the soil hallowed by the blood of your fathers, divide not their renown, for it is yours, and acknowledge no banner but that which reflects from its stars the remembrance of their glory.

But whatever your aim, the matter of first importance is the formation of a right character. The only sure foundation is uncompromising integrity. Whatever is built upon any other, will be undermined by the currents of temptation, or overthrown by the storms of passion. The seductions of temporary interest and the blandishments of vice keep their sleepless vigils to entice and betray. In the walks of private life cultivate the social virtues, and they will light your households with incalculable blessings. If you tread the road of ambition, bear before you the shield of integrity and truth, and it will repel the assaults of your enemies. If misfortunes befall you, the proudest consolation is a clean heart and an honor untarnished. Bear ever in mind, that to be truly great or useful or happy, we must be truly good. Of all training, the best is the training of the heart. Intellectual splendor dies with the things of earth, but intellectual purity is an inheritance for eternity.

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BY JOHN H. WHEELER,

AUTHOR OF THE HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.

RALEIGH, N. C.:

"STANDARD" STEAM BOOK AND JOB PRINT.

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA,

COL. JOHN H. WHEELER:

CHAPEL HILL, June 13th, 1870.

Dear Sir:-I have the honor to inform you that at a meeting of the Historical Society of North Carolina, held on the 9th of June, inst., in the University Library Hall, a resolution was unanimously passed thanking you for the very able and instructive Address which you delivered on the Past, Present and Future of North Carolina, and requesting a copy for publication.

Very respectfully,

ALEXANDER MCIVER,

Secretary.

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