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Page Thirty-four
THE MAROON TIGER
A ''Banquet
J. H. Gad,son, Jr., ’27
“Whether in defeat or victory
We are loyal just the same.”
Embodied in these words lies the mark of dis-
tinc.icn bcLv.ccn the strong and the weak; between
the false and the real; be.ween loyalty and perfidy;
even between the Morehouse man and the tempera-
menial spectator. Never before in recent football
history of the college has there been a more splen
did opportunity of putting into practice these par
ticular words of our college song, because the
“Fighting Tiger” has been victor for quite a long
period.
The Morehouse spirit has not waned. As evi
dence of this a number of Morehouse devotees
and football enthusiasts cheerfully assembled
around banquet tables, the evening of December It.
Scarcely before the last mouthful of the main
course was engulfed the familiar voice of “Doc”
Jones, the veteran toastmaster and, trusted friend
of the boys, filled the assembly room. It was not
at all surprising to witness sudden outbursts of
hilarity occasioned by some witty or ironical utter
ance escaping the lips of this jolly toastmaster.
The first gentleman to grace the assembly with
a cheerful speech was the faithful manager, Mr.
J. W. Carten. His seat was resumed after a short
talk in which he pledged his loyalty by telling of
his intention to join next year’s squad. Follow
ing his remarks came those of Captain-elect E. D.
Lattimer, the sturdy tackle of many frays. When
asked why it was that a certain opposing player
was able to make an unusually long run his answer
in subs ance was, “I was too busy in the perform
ance of my assigned task to see who was in error.
Captain Lattimer was assured that the whole squad
would support him
Mr. W. C. Kelley, enthusiastic alumnus of ’22
and charging halfback on the Tiger championship
team of ’22, was presented. Mr. Kelley attempted
to explain in a very acceptable manner the causes
of the present team’s handicap. His attributive
reasons being, transition of style of game, loss of
valuable players; and combatting with strongest
opponents early in the season.
After a rather lengthy introduction, the toast
master introduced Morehouse’s pioneer coach and
beloved president, John Hope. Dr. Hope waived
all formality and gave us a good old time heart-to-
heart talk covering many topics. In the outset he
assured the team that he had not at one time ceased
“keeping the faith.” Amid tempestuous storm as
well as balmy calm his true colors floated high. He
extended words of encouragement and thanks to
the coaches who relentlessly carried out their du
ties throughout the season. Suddenly he changed the
scene from (hat of an unpleasant year in which all
hopes and ambition had been besmirched with de
feat to that of a new year, with time for practice,
planning and VICTORY. Dr. Hope did not take his
seat before making this rather significant state
ment in effect, “Regardless of the straights that
Morehouse may get into for athletes, never will
there come a time when she will sacrifice her honor
and integri'y as well as pollute the game by offer
ing financial inducements to athletes.”
Captain N. .B Cooke, the reliable varsity guard
of six seasons and famed all-southern, who would
not allow physical defects to hamper his football
career told of his unshakened confidence in his
team-mates and how it was re assured when on one
instance the crippled Tiger did not allow one of
its strongest opponents to gain five inches of ground
over its line.
Alternate Captain S. H. Archer, the unassum
ing fighter who gives his all every time he puts
on a fooffiall cr basket ball uniform, utterly sur
prised the attentive assembly when he proved that
he waan orator of exceptional ability. He closed
his remarks by expressing regrets that he had no
further opportunity to give his aU again on the
grioiron lor his dear Alma Mater. He was followed
by the o her half of he forward pass combination,
R. W. Dezon. end on the Tiger eleven. The remarks
of this mighty player were few but significant. He
closed by saying that whenever Morehouse plays a
game in the fu ure, the team will consist of twelve
players- he will be the twelfth.
J. H. Gadson, Jr., the guard who attempted to
give his all despite physical encumbrances gave a
few remarks telling how football instilled in him
the fighting spirit. Mr. C. W. Green, a trustworthy
alumnus end renowned quarterback of the old Tiger
team, spoke next. He spoke briefly, bringing to light
many interesting events of the good old days gone by
A very creditable talk was made by Coach Rob
inson the young, efficient coach, who hails from
Oberlin College. He said in well chosen words that
he had been engulfed by the Morehouse spirit since
being here; how the fellows gathered around him and
fough‘ as if he had been with them for a long time.
He awarded the highly prized certificates of honor
to the following:
Captain Cooke, Alternate Captain Archer, Cap-
tain-elect; Lattimer, C. Davis, Allen, T. L. Sigler, C.
D. Clark, H. Finley, J. Lewis, R. W Degon, B.
Blackburn, John Saunders, C. H. Robinson, H. L.
Mosely, J. W. Lyons and J. H. Gadsc.i, Jr.
The following ladies were present, Mrs. J. W.
Lyons, Mrs. S. H. Archer, Mrs. L. Eichelberger,
Mrs. B. T. Harvey, Mrs. E. Birkstiner. The honor of
speaking on behalf of the ladies was bestowed upon
Mrs. Lyons. Her remarks were brief and to the
point, being expressive of her undying faith in
Morehouse men and expressive of many hopes of a
victorious coming season.
Archer, Degon, Gadson, Clark and Oliver, cog
nizant of the fact that they shall have no further op
portunity of visiting another banquet as players
were filled with genuine grief which almost burst
forth in sorrowful emotion as the closing song
“Morehouse College” was sung.