The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-04-01

! large q share Richmond is takirr In the gsnsrs
| ta.k that has been allotted 70 mankind. but "
| aud lay down railways. sonething the state ha
performed in adorping cur Capftoiian hill viii
splendid WORKS of art, which shall attract pilgrim
70 this city long and granite and bronz
Ill endure in placing before Es, as perpetual ex
ample, tbs form of Washington, seated upon tina
magnificent Charger; whose high action remiHos U
of the horses of Marlcwe. which
Guide the golden eye Of heaven,
And blow the morning from their nostrils,
Making their fiery gait above the cionds.
But it remains for us IS citizens, TO supply fht
agencies OF neral, artistic and social progress.
speaks WELL indeed. for the mechanics OF Richmond
that they have been the first of all our dis inctive
classes to commences this exc ellenf work In city
Mercautiie Library. it may be to you source o.
honest pride. point to this handsome building as
Community. bid You God speed In the enterprise
you have begun. As yeu have inaugurated scn DOL
below To lay the foundations Ct knowledge. ust
art to embeilish the whole design. to educate the
taste nd refine the perception. Go On. sir Be as-
sured that In the vinoicai n of that policy. in the
iurtherance of such objects. that way glory lies.
The pleasing duty remains to me. my young
friend of presenting yen this silver medal the
reward of ycur diligence. curing the past winter.
give it to you in the name Cf the Mechanics Insti
tnte and ,peakin0 for them.I am encouraged to say
that they feel pre- nd of you this evening, as one
who has Pre- fitted by the advantages they have K
tended to you Let me add. however, that this
pursue your studies with increased assiiuity The
same qualities you have exhibited in winning this
prize Will ensure your future success in whatever
walk you may pursue in life. if you are but true to
yourCef and to the just of your fiends
But do not remain satisfied with this silver medal,
nor ihlak because OF this early triumph ron viii
lect that those who think themselves wise, are not
siways thought wise by others. Plain oil John Bun
erims quantity tells us that when they met the lad
Ignorance he was was coming out Of one of the by
ways Of the country CT Concelt. There is little
which, perhaps. yen rever beard In the Rab-
binieal ieeents we ara informed that there for
merly existed in solomon's Temple a diamond
on which was inscribed word, which, could
man get possession OF. he might perform miracles.
But the passage way 10 his wonderful stone was
guarded by two r,ible. though innocent lions,
who. though they did the adventurer no b IDLY
harm. so frightened hin by their tremendous roar,
never remember the word afterwards; 80 that the
attempt to learn it was regarded as hopeless Now,
nv young frisni, you already know what the word
App ication. Do not let anything make you forget
it, 1t w secure for you higher and higher hopors
az you advance in life and what is far better than
Termed; Here ia your prize In handing it tn you
let me borrow the affectionate lar guags once ad-
for the most exalted qualities of head and heart,
whom living loved, and whose memory 1 reve-
renee
Take this my friend and whereso'er you go,
May honors cluster round your bright career,
Ard let us hope, that you'll not blush to know
Your earliest iaurels have been gathered here.
Master WIN. II. GRAFTON, the pupil to whom the
medal was awarded on receiving it, replied foi>
lows:
Allow me, sir. through you, to express my
thanks TO the Virginia Mechanics Institute for
tho high mark of distinction conferred upon me.
This beautiful medal shall ever be preserved and
cherished by me with the greatest care, and, l
would trust that in coming years, it will prove a
stimulus to honest endeavors and noble aims
As representative of this school woul d also
tender sincere thanks for the privileges which
have been afforded us, and would hope that in our
fnture course may not disappoint the expecta-
tions of cur friends and benefactors.
Mr. Cone, one of the Teachers, next took the
stand, aud after speaking in high terms of the
good department of the pupils, their application
to their books, and the rapid progress in their
studies. announced the names of the following
boys who contended for the medal, and won the
high regard Of their Teachers and the School
COMMITTEES: They are-Chas. l. Weller. j. Henry
Grafton, George P. Stacy, Howard Walshall and
Andrew Snead.
After lively air from the Armory Band, the as
semblage dispersed. doubtless strongly impressed
with the importance of sustaining the Night
School of the Mechanics Institute, by which
means alone can the apprentice boya of the city
ever hope to become educated.