Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1862-03-28
Address before Ita NichHlsnt Medical
College.

College.
The following address, delivered oy Hou.
Charles Y. Russell before the Virginia Msdi-
cal College was furnished Tor publication at
! the earnest request OF the Faculty. ii is pro.
,:;'c,rn a;1zalrshiy suiird 10 the titG:s, aad
such a; might haze been expected ot the. very
;a;a;.;ed ..d patriotic gentleman who deliver
sd il
Gtng!:msn u the G5da.atiRy Oluss-
AS member Of your Board of Visitors, I
was not at liberty to decline the invitation of
the Faculty TO address you, although time for
thr meditation Of IL literary address could Lot
! eeil o. spared trou Eiorc c1isent public
duties. when even the humbkest member of
legislature, engaged IN conducting revo-
!utl1n, turnS aside, at critical period. to take
part IL scene prepared by studioua seclusiou
and long lIist within college walls, the literary
Ipisn-S tuay Hggest The unshakea cuEsposuro
ri In. government! q c;.eiroalvc no: nco!,--
;iistent with grave Sense OF res spous,nillry or
/ All intense energy OF nctinn.
Here, at the Capital Of Yirginia-the n.osi
;3,mnvablo OF republican Statcs-the light of
her eyatnpie and the voice Of her renown en-.
courage liz 10 maintain q soIcne coastsncy
! Leu SO recently as ct the beginning of this
ccnij,ct, The brave ntl Couilncn Eea!.i gave
naei:rcrs ole eG,ippia oi reS5,ute prudence anu
t,onS:"1atc courage. She aGhered, iuv time,
With hsbitcsl tsascjty to her oll associations,
rxilaustlhg w:th sedate, deliberate delay, all
! ha aTg"nsrts o: peace. In point OF policy
;; i.es ti,.Ay may have been dvplorable; end some
,he:" g: re VINO ventured to suspect that her
i'ar::c spirit began 10 feel ths paraly zing touch
Of age. bI!, a. iAst how nCbly she redeemed
: he: ancient reputation She s.ceueti hen
; SECESSION was wAr--i ,cu ase il Was nsr Wkeo
war Tas jenouaced-not againt her, but
against ber siSters--then she aroused herself,
ali u1Erpoi without helmet or shield, but
! With crest erect and mien undauntcd, and threw
herseif iato the front Of battle.
! Ard You, gentlemen, Are slinesso! that, in
the as5ny VI q strugeI eIl Tor hex oHn existence,
she pas ncS sbAtsa hsr accustomed care OF
hunis2e leaning. Whist in camps and i'll
bGrtie.telis :nea,;sble death has been slutted
Ti;h victims, you, III aTvtrest'p-ovi3ed by her
o>,a.iE. ah,e toen taught the niy sturS of lhoao
! in;usra,;ol: Which nourish The subtle lame
ci !l;o Tic cIsngor ct war has not sileuced
trr:, i;3 To;ce of sc;s1,cs ii ou could hav.
regai,ixG ~i:h selfish indifference the misfor-
.UGcs oi Topr country, you might here have
enjoyed ihase delights which sIe celebrated by
e phi!oscpiic Lstir post who sings that it is
, s:Fea! from The shors t. behold the struggle;
;.f fellow man tossed upon stormy sea
! sTsct to witness, without personal peril, tue
, strife CT armies and sweetest of all to look
out IRON sarsre temples of learning upon the
iolies os men GIt .heir cphlcntiups for glory
and wealth and power.
"scaye. -.ri irasuo txSransinus eaaora 7ea:l
EserlsE inaenuva ai,s.ias sp=c.Srs isboEem," &C.
! Rnt yuu surely could not, by any thought
ns yruy u"i: SAFETY, distill q selfish pleasure
; tfIoli. !6- 2a:aIaiiies Of your country or tina
! .!sagors Of Jtur couEtI,men Iou nust have
/ painted for Tbs houi wheu. prepared for the
! high iu.ie; of your uohle profession, you
c,all GO foI IN 20 uiES!s in the stcru and the
stcie. and a. bear yoar share Of honorable
! iang:7 AMI patriotic sacrifice. The hour has
| come.
| ana uoe, SuuLotrvii, " hat shall l say that
may bes,ns tho occasion and the time Shall
| luDger 70 congratulate you upon the flourish
| ing condition Of the college which you honor
| ny your proficiency, aad which has honored
+! ycI with learned deereop TGe ppmbef in
| your class attesls her prosperity l1 the midst
OF civil conuotion. She starts ahead Of all
SintIrrd .rasituiicns in Our youns .CorfedeTa.
! CO; ss Virgins also Stands conspicuous for i'll
st,u:ions devoted to instruction in the military
art aud in general science In euch enter
p;ises the sister Ststes mag be rivals without
! JEALOUSY; ior n The culture of letters it is
| equally grateful to excel and to DC sGcslled.
Shall congratulate you upon the compile
tioa Q? your professional course of study !;
Yo., iaueh Day tho nrst gnal Of panly an
hitio1 With the :pRlm II hich yCa have won
you lonE hack, justly proud, upon The Career
which yoi have accomplished. Ani what lies
before yous AZ this period Of a young mars
lie tie future usually glows golden with the
sunlight that streams from tho morning OF his
hopes. Memory and hope unite to illuminate
his heart. FcouI the past aud frcm the future
! light i.i5 upol, him through painted windows.
SoGn these pictures may DO broken. They
sts a. fia'! as glass. aud a*best they 40 but
dscoio! t!nc pure rays OF Heaven, The plea
surcs wh;ct they bring may be yours to-day
| EGj5y 'he.E while you may; for they are in
nooent7 though they may be transient. Be not
! dishcsrsencd if tomorrow they vanish; for
experience, which dispels the illusions OF
youth, TsTsals too oeattudes that crown tho
yirtuous struggles Of life.
Shsl / for advice for tie regulation Of
| youc iuiu:o conduct. Doubtless your able
professors have equipped you with all
knowledge aud counsel that are needful for
! F1ur professional career. 1t would be super"
hun:is care, am sure, to commend to you the
Calti:;ai principles Of piety and virtue. In
t!:at regard the fruit OF all ny reading, and
! observations, and experience, and reflection,
! is ooiy iis: that the familiar precepts Of duty
! which ia ChristisnGnintry, We learn from
! lips If cur mothers. embrace tho hcst results
! o. ID. highest philosophy OF human life. All
! ihs .yneri:nce Of nationa and OF men ends
with confirming ,naxins which are perfect be-
! csoso they arc divine. Ali tho eublims epocu.
! ist:0i;: 3i ancient aud modern sagea, upon
: qaestn;s cf duty and happiness, have returned
isoh ti.e e:hoy1ssn Of io!tiest thought with no
raors i:,an Illustrations ai the truths which arc
| t.Gg-t 10 i.:io children ior the guidance OF
! liis Though we could mount 10 tho sun, We
you'd int there no 1ther light than that
wh:ca, ccra:ns frou. tha suu, ID dEazed over
! the earth and guides oar daily footsteps
Bur tbs gafaTsi Prccspts Of virtue lcaTe ia,
zach !or himself. t0 determine what particuia!
saryaHc9. Il know the proper duty of every
. ocos=ion is the hlscast attainment oi prsctie:!
| wisdom, AID IL practice it is tic perfection oi
| virtue.
Tou. s2n:isu,5r,, en:or Upon active life 1hsn
obSicus; tee paramount earthly duties in
cu,nhent Ipon you will be those which pertain
to ycd as citiz+ns-ssic duties Of / a..iotisru.
y9u lr,lGt haSe heard the voice Of your coua.
try irol, shs deptha Of EoT agony calling upon
; sill her song for aid. She is threatened win
death She at,agglos for liio. Wrapped in the
! folds Of m ''anac c,nja"-such the taunt-sbe
braces herself Tor the nerculcan conflict, and
with bold ctisIleuse Of aeToa defsnce to her
ea;a.7, s!e minslcs aTy thst summons all
her children to herrescus. No reareent here
will refuse the summons. iurr hearts beat
tr"o end high ior Cur country and denaH1
mat shall not daily with any other theme. =.
Let IGe sptek 10 Vuu. fheH nf unr country .o ]