The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-07-02

/ listened to with rapt attention and plea
sure. We were brethren Of common
country, and our prayers assembled In uni
son for the prosperity, happiness, and re-
nown of united people.
! But the scene soon changed. Before the
wear closed, the unmstakable premonitionIs
Of civil strife had occurred, and war, win
all its horrors, was upon us before the re-
currcnce of another annual festival.
Peace is the indispensable condition OF
the success of education. The tread oil
armies and the shock of arms leave no op-
nortunitv for the quiet pursuits of litera-
tprc and science. Most of the institutions
Of learning in Virginia and throughout the
south were closed during the eventful
four years struggle. The University of
Virginia, looking to the future rather than
present results, kept open its doors, though
! the catalogue of its students was reduced
! to twelfth of its former numbers. The
/ cessation of hostlities found its organiza-
tion unbrokcn, and its Faculty in position
to invite the return of students. No one,
! in view Of the condition of the country,
anticipated that any considerable number
could at an early day avail themselves of
its advantages. The result, however, has
surpassed the hopes of the most sanguine.
The number of students the present scS-
sion has been two hundred and fifty EIGHT.
Our own State has furnished one hundred
and sixty-seven of the number, and all the
southern States except Florida and Ar
kansas, all the middle States, and one or
two of the northwestern, have representa-
| tives now present. This is an auspicious
resumption of the accustomed functions of
the Institution, and gives promise of q
speedy restoration of its former prosperity.
The scene before me gives assurance of the
abiding interest Of the people of Virginia
in the fortunes of the State University ::
whilst from every part of the country
come the most fiattering indications of the
favorable estimation in which it is held.
From these indications, as well as from
positive data, think cannot be mistaken
in estimating the number of students for
the next session at nearly double the pre-
sent. cannot forbear to avail myself of
this fitting occasion to bear emphatic tcsti-
mony to the department of the students of
the present session. / confess had mis-
givings Of the effects of army life upon the
character of our young men. War is said
to be demoralizing. 1t surely cannot be
so to those who are the subjects OF the dis
cipline of the camp, and who encounter
the hardships and perils of the field. l
have had thirty-three years experience as
q teacher, and can truthfully say that in
all my intercourse with young men | have
never met with class so exemplary in
department and so praisewOrthy in atten-
ton to their appropriate duties. The war
has brought suffering, and sorrow, and ruin
upon our people. 1t has uprooted our in
stitutions and set at naught our cherished
ideas of social, civil, and political philoso-
ply, but it has prepared our young men
for the great changes its results have
brought upon us. 1t has made them
thoughtful, manly, and self-reliant, and has
fitted them for the task of building up
anew the shattered fortunes of the State.
Ny young friends, the hopes Of the
country are, in degree uncqualled in the
past, ccntered upon you. Of thos3 who
formerly enjoyed your advantages, and
who were the recipients of similar aca-
demic and professional honors, how many
have given their lives to cause, of which
it will be the province Of impartial history
to speak in fitting terms. Many of them
have fallen by your sides, for not a few Of
you bear the unmistakable marks Of your
antecedent positions and relations. Their
virtues and their talents will be cherished
in your memories, but their active services
are forever lost to the country. To you
who survive them is left the double task
of filling, as far as may be, the measure Of
their usefulness as well as your own.
! The men of science and letters were de-
cimated during the late war. An honored
colleague and cherished friend fell upon
the battle field, and hundreds of the
alumni of this institution, distinguished
for scholastic attainments, and many of
them eminent in the various walks of life,
are known TO have perished. What is true
of this institution is true also of the other
literary institutions of the country. How
great has been the loss in that highest Or
nament and support of country-its
moral culture and intellectual wealth. You
who have enjoyed the earliest opportuni-
! ties of access to the fountains of science
and letters will reap the first fruits of their
refreshing influence. But 1t will be your
duty to exercise your talents and culture,
not merely for private advantage, but for
! the public gOOd-to lead or lend an intelli-
gent cooperation in the various enterprises
necessary for developing the material and
| intellectual resources OF your country, and
securing to it stability, prosperity, and hap
piness. May you address yourselves to
every duty of the good citizen with manly
heart and catholic spirit. And as the
generation trained to manhood in the revO-
luton of l776 was distinguished for private
virtues, practical wisdom, and public SER
vices, may you also, trained amid similar
scenes and trials, become more eminently
distinguished for like characteristics and
services. 1t remains to me only to tender
you the grateful thanks Of the Faculty for
your good conduct and diligence duringth the
session, and, with our best wishes for your
future success and happiness, to bid you a
kind adieu.
The remarks Of the Doctor were we'll re-
ceived, and with an attention that showed
| the great respect in which this faithful OFF,
Ger Of the University is held.
MR.. sTuART's ADDRESS.
! After DR.. Maupin had concluded his
remarks there was an intermission of about
, twenty minutes, during which the Balti-
more Blues Band executed some choice
pieces of music. The Faculty and Mar
shals then entered the hall escorting the
Hon. A. II. II. STUART, the orator Of the
day, who was received with applause. He
was introduced by Mr.. Micajah Woods,
President of the Washington Literary
Society, and delivered his address, which
occupied near two hours. We have not
room to publish it, but present our readers
with the following sketch:
Mr.. S1rARr. addressing the Society,