Mississippi College - Tribesman Yearbook (Clinton, MS)

Page 12 text:

The Board of Trustees W HAT grander spectacle has ever confronted human vision or invited human inquiry than that of this Republic in her present greatness, with happiness more generally distributed and more perfectly organized than under any other existing government, and firmly using her recently acquired world influence for humane and Christian ends ? It is a spectacle to attract the admiring gaze of every intelligent nation and of every thoughtful individual upon this restless, dis- contented globe. To whom are these gracious and mighty results due? To whom are we most indebted for all this beneficent and magnificent greatness? To those undying names who first conceived of it and partially hammered the spirit-thought into glorious institutional realization, who laid safe and broad foundation for future building, elastic enough for all desirable and legitimate expansion. Such a govern- ment, such organization for public welfare is the noblest conception and the highest achievement of the human mind. Like unto this is the creation of an Institution of Learning, and to its Trustees is committed its growth and future welfare, even if to them it does not owe its con- ception and existence. Preeminently is this true of Mississippi College. Only faithf ul and fearless men, thoughtless of self and ever thoughtful of the public welfare and of their debt to God and the State through their children, men who could hope against hope and conquer by refusing to believe they were defeated, only men of such sublime faith and patience could ever have brought Mississippi College success- full} through the breakers that assailed her as her part of the bitter dregs of Civil War. All honor to these noble men both living and dead. The honors of “the Old Guard” are secure. To those who have gone to their reward surely a part of their joy will be the share they had in labors and sacrifices for the College. To the new recruits, with those of the Old Guard who still remain, is committed the sacred and joyful trust of wisely fostering and developing her into Greater Miss- issippi College, an Institution fully adequate to the growing demands upon her. Her splendid growth only demands more growth, and it is a grave but glorious task which the present Board has assumed; but they are twenty-seven picked men, proven and chosen, embodying doubtless as much practical wisdom and successful experience as any like body in the State, and we have all confidence in their purpose and ability to measure fully up to the magnitude of the great needs they are set to meet. In this sublime work we pledge the material and moral support of Faculty and Student Body io

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Doctor J. B. Gambrell says of him: “I have often thought Captain W. T. Ratliff, of Raymond, Miss., the most all-round useful layman I have ever known. In the upbuilding of Mississippi College Captain Ratliff has been for more than a veneration one of the very strongest factors. For more than thirty years he has been President of the Board of Trustees, and to him more than to anybody else not in the Faculty is due the splendid position of that worthy Institution. In the time of the College’s deepest troubles, when every day was a fight for its life, Captain Ratliff gave to the College unstinted support. Amid the troubles through which it was passing His wisdom was invaluable. “For many years he had a very lucrative business and there never was a day he would not divide his last dollar with the College. Some men save their money until toward the close of life and give it in a lump sum. Captain Ratliff acted with a great deal more wisdom. He gave his money just when the College had to have it to live. He gave when the money counted most for the College. No man knows this better than the writer (Dr. Gambrell); for side by side we stood during the years of reconstruction in Mississippi and fought for the life of the College along with others. With consummate skill Captain Ratliff kept things together and kept things going. He was a friend of every man and every thing connected with the College. Speaking to a friend recently in Fort Worth, Texas, Doctor Gambrell again paid this tribute to my father: “I consider that Mississippi never produced a finer character. Some men are great in politics, he was; some are great religiously, he was and still is; some gain distinction as soldiers, he did. As an all-round good citizen none can surpass him. He represents what is great and good in every depart- ment of life. The sweet atmosphere of his home is simply delightful. His courage and fidelity to the objects of his affection have never been questioned. His record as a Baptist is simply inspiring and can be considered as second only to his loyalty to Mississippi College during the many years of turmoil and doubt. I am glad to have such a friend.” Thus with a master hand does Doctor Gambrell put the finishing touches on our “ Miniature. ” In all of the years of service to the College my mother has encouraged and sanctioned my father’s efforts. May the golden watch and chain presented by the Faculty and Senior Class of Mississippi College to Captain Ratliff on the occasion of his Golden Wedding give him so “ strong a hold on time ” that he may be “ linked ” with the future of the College for many years yet to come, is the prayer of his daughter. Mrs. Alma Ratliff Gray. 9

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Hugh N. Alexander M ISSISSIPPI COLLEGE may count itself fortunate in the selection of Mr. Hugh ; j N. Alexander as a member of its Board of d rustees. A native Mississippian of Scotch- Irish descent, that virile stock that has wrought so much for the upbuilding of the republic, and which has been made stronger by having taken on something of the independence of the Carolinas’ soil and climate. He first saw the light in good old Rankin, a county that has done as much, or more than any other, towards filling this and other states with sturdy men and women. He was born to Andrew J. and Elizabeth Ross Alexander in 1857, the time that tried women’s souls and tested the stuff of which men were made. When he could be spared from work he attended a county school, where he acquired the rudiments of an education and a character that has made him respected by all men. In 1885 he came to Greenville and there among strangers he set to work to win his way. Among the best and first things he did was to marry Miss Mary A. Nurse, a fine Englishwoman, who has blessed his home and added strength to his every worthy endeavor. The following indicate the wide range of his interests. He is president of the largest lumber concern in Western Mississippi; a director in one of the banks; a trustee in the city schools; a Delta planter; a citizen taking an active part in every- thing that pertains to the upbuilding of the Delta’s interest; a lover of hunting and a crack shot; the possessor of one of the handsomest and most Christian homes in the city and, to conclude, his philanthropic and church affiliations should be men- tioned. He, with a half dozen other determined souls, has built up in Greenville a church strong in zeal and energy for good works.