Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-08-27
yIpc,NJa MILITARY INSTITUTE.

In the absence o Gov Floyd Chas J. Faulkner ESD,
was unanimously requested by the Board of Visitors nt the
Virginia Military Institute deliver the address on the part
of the Board the graduating class on the 4h o July
Mr. T. performed the duty admirably and his eloquent and
,iited address we have read with much pleasure We
restricted TO short which concludes the address,
Patriotism is the duty of IL. all. Its ofer requirements
more csucciay dcyovc upon you who have been trained 10
arms and reared the sentiments and duties OF The Soldier
Never permit the voice Of your COUNTRY 10 a needless up
on your ears When that awful emergency comes, when
in negotiation she finds il 10 appeal
10 the God of Hosts for the redress OF her wrongs the
pcrierce of three has demonstrated not simply where
the paro, should be, but where he GW be found
A, her high summons. with unt!aun'ed zeal
lie bares his breast, invites the Impending seel
Smiles al the band that deals the u nj bow,
Nor lcaves sigh Tor all he leaves below
few words more, Gentlemen and will detain you no
How RAPIDLY is the public mind opening TO the great ad-
vanages Of Institutions OF learning sucn az l s ~" i "
nos which you inabit, vexng the dull ear oil night
with their rude and drunken revey The powers oi eeni-
MS ,nd labor invoked and To- there sprung up from
,bc sane means which had supported deness and stimulated
vice. nursery for statesmen orators and heroes vi ths
Institute might not nappropriaey be sald III was so~n
in ,.shoror il raised in glory II was so"n IN weakness
il j. ,ised in POWER What Institution with means so
limited and existence crcumscrbed has ever before
exhibited such striking and well authenticated proofs OF us
nefncss In period Of scarcely more than ten years, lis
nfuence has been felt every portion of this extended
CONFERENCE.-The its system of instruction, approved, cx-
icIrd and adopted and It's Claims upon .c Idunage oi
the tate anc the public, finn and evocably established
That noble cdce in progress ot erection and when
Phunx-Iikc sprnyng from the ashes OF It's parent Is evl-
dence Of its increasing favor and Of the permanent policy
of the State.
To me one of the great charms of this institution is its
emineny State character. In all It's ieatures-in all lis
clra c,ers,ics il is Vrginanthooughy ana exclusively
Virunian Now am advocate OF that narrow ana
confined patriotism which selects mere LOCALITY as te Cd,
ec of its affections and which can see nothing good
it. vet in that universal recasng OF manners institutions
and opinons; that Procruscan experiment which Is now
in bring everything the level OF one dead ana
dull uniformity am glad believe, there Is one spot IN
which something that is peculiar 10 Od virginia may be
preseyel: one halowed altar where some portion at least
of the yes,a fame of Virginia spirit and Virginia pride may
he scdulousy watched by chosen band ot Virginia
Youths. and bequeah in all its purity to succeeding
rations
C;enrlcn,en in whatever section Of this and al
most limabe Conederacy, your genius and enterprise
NAV carry vou sure, you vii! not fail TO remember with
aeciionae interest," this spot, which must be halowcd TO
you by many interesting rccoecons. This lovely lnd
scape upon which the Of the Poet and Painter might
dwell with rapure-hesc lofty healtnspiring mountains
which grandeur the couds-ths people
distinguished for hospitality and refinement and all the stern
and manly virtues of their ancestorsyour comraces "iio
have toed with you up the steep ascent OF
Professors who have wasted their energies ana
their lives 10 TT YOU for the great drama OF human ne IAN
you forget these? No. The unbi'den tears. which II"
moments slncel observed course down your hi,f
when your eloquent comrade bade you Fate"el, sa'sy
me you will not Above ALL cherish love ana VeneFaon
for the Stale which gave you birth, ana "nic nus
lv conferred upon you the capacities Of usefulness " he
In Yourselves And should that time ever arrive 10 whcn
nv learned and distinguished friend Judge Brockenolong
this morning made dark and shad1wy alson-when u
the extremity of her woe Virginia NAV require tne s.ou
hearts and the strong of her far scattered sons una
should arriye-whch God in His infinite wisdom avert
bep YOU TO remember the Mother that gave yol
/ BIRTH