The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-03-06

1vonf OF tho college Lest evening" anu
we're attended BY large assemblags; ei
ladies' and gentlemen. -.
The exercises were opened By prayer
by the Rev. DR.. Minnigerode, ls'3 fns' /
The prize ofss handsome case of surri.
cal instruments was delivered TO DR.. JoRn
J. Robinson for the best essay ON !. The
Circulation of the Blood.n The subject Of
the prize essay for the next session has
been announced ss "Dyspepsia.
Degrees Of M. d. were then given TO the
following named graduates, Wat f,.,A
Patrick Fl. Arthur, Norfolk county, Va.
John F. Bransford, Chesterfield county,
Va; Francis T. Brooke, Spotsyivanis
Thomas E. Browne, Washington county,
Va; J. Hunt Christian, Richmond, Va.
Thomas O.. Craig, Pulaski county, Va.
James s. Currie, Augusta county; Reyin
s. Ferr, Fairfax; Jennifer Garnett, Essex
county, Va. William F. Gillespie, Lou
doun county John T. Harrison, Madison
county; Lewis E. Harvie, Jr., Powhatan
county; Wilmer Hudson, Richmond city [;
William p. MCGUIRE, Winchester /; Hunter
81. Powell, Winchester James J. Robert
son, Appomattox county; Moreheim Fa-
bier, Botetourt county Armistead G. Tay-
lor, Amelia county; James N. Terrence,
CASTOR county, N. O.; George A. Wood,
Albsmarle.
After the conferring Of degrees, Pro-
fessor David FL. Tucker, M. D., delivered
the valedictory; of which we give sy-
nopsis: +.
After referring to the condition Of the
country, DR.. Tucker said that to scatter
plenty o'er q smiling land |" we must edu-
cate our sons and daughters at home.
This was the only way of keeping alive the
honor Of our boys and the virtue Of our
women, and Of preserving the proud cha
racteristics of our race. We must live
sources that which is necessary for our
comfort, happiness, and improvement.
Every community desiring material pros
perity should raise from its soil and labor
as much as possible, and should buy as
little as possible. Produce as much as
you can, sell to othersas much as you can,
and buy as little as you can, and you will
become rich and independent. What is
true in reference to agriculture, com
merce, &C., is equally true in reference to
education, which is as much production
as wheat, or corn, or anything else; and II
we purchase il elsewhere we shall not
only become impoverished to the extent of
its cost, but will commit the highest folly
and crime Of which people is capable.
BY the fruits of industrial pursuits we are
fed and clothed ply sically. By those Of
education the mental and moral faculties
are developed, and the people rendered
capable Of performing the duties Of public
and private life. BY patronizing our own
schools and colleges we keep at home q
large amount Of money which otherwise
would be spent abroad. The inheritance
Of money may be desirable, but dwindles
into insignifcance when compared with
that feeling of pride which swells the
bosom Of every man who knows that he
inherits an honest, honorable, and yirtuous
parentage. The Doctor argued in favor of
home education for the following reasons /:
First. 1t tends to develop the material
interests Of people by keeping at home
money which would otherwise be ex-
pended abroad. This proposition was toe
plain for argument. Not less than 100 Vir.
ginia students were up to l848 annually
enrolled at the University of Pennsylva-
mia. For forty years previous the annual
average Of Virginia students at northern
institutions was not less than $50, spend
ing each year 5000, or $3, ,0O0, 900 in all.
Add simple interest, and the amount would
be over six and half millions; compound
| it, and it would be over twelve millions.
Adding the expenditures up to 1860, it
would appear that in sixty years more
than twenty millions of dollars have been
sent to the North from Virginia alone for
medical educational purposes. How many
millions have been sent there for educa-
ton in other branches Of learnings Do
not these appalling statements call for
some action on the part Of our Legisla-
ture to stop this terrible drain? Above
all, do they not call for action by our peo-
pie themselves This thing of absentee
ism has ruined Ireland, and would ruin rs.
And the North, while fattening upon our
substance, will laugh at our folly.
2ndly. Our own colleges should be sus-
tanned as matter Of patriotic pride if we
desire prominent position in the history
of the world. From Oxford and Cam
bridge and other schools and colleges OF
England have sprung the men who have
rendered her famous in science, literature,
and art, and foremost in developing true
| conservative liberty. The same is true OF
France. The effects Of education in de-
velopipg the science, literature, and arts,
which so distinguished the ages Of Louis
XIV. and of Queen Anne, shed more lustre
on those two nations than did the victories
Of their generals. And what Is true OF
France and England is true Of other coun-
tries. The distinction of a people, and the
maintenance of It's peculiarities of race,
ETC., are best preserved by building up its
own schools and colleges under the super.
vision of native-born- teachers. Our sons
and daughters should be educated by oul
own teachers, preached to by our owr
preachers-thus learning the principles o.
moral and political science from those borr
and bred in our midst.
3dly. The pride Of intellectual indie.
pendence and distinction should prompt 9
people to build up their own institutions o
learning. The Doctor illustrated this ides
by references to Rome and Greece, and tC
England, Scotland, ireland, France, and
Germany. He also called the roll Of Vir.
ginia worthies-the Randolphs, Lees
Blands, Jeffersons, Pendletons, &C.; the
Tazewells, Tylers, Leighs, Johnsons, &c.
and made IN eloquent sllusion to Genera
Robert Z. Lee: "When a. the adviser
and instructor Of youth Robert e. Lee
shall have performed with honor bis civic
duties, the South, aye the whole world
will proclaim him what General Henr,
Lee proclaimed George Washington
First in war, frst In peace, and first IL
the hearts Of his countrymen.,r The Docto
claimed that the representative men ofths
South had always been superior to tn.
northern, and enforced the claim by re
ferring to historic facts; and added tina
if our schools are inferior il isnot due 4
any defect in the native genius Of our race
But he proceeded 70 demonstrate that =