The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-10-02

county. Better selections could not be
made. Let US select our best men, and
present united front to Radicalism.
! Providence Rhode Island journal. Sept. 2Oth I
! The Departure Of the Rev. DR.. Sears.
| Yesterday afternoon there occurred an aca-
demic scene, occasioned by the departure of
DR.. Sears. rarely equalled in the interest
from which it arose. and in the interest which
it awakened. VERY soon the whole college
was in movement to make the arrangements
s'lass Committees were appointed. ma~shals
elected. a band of music engaged and pla-
cards posted on the trees in the college yard
summoning all the students to gather at an
appointed hour. Ito bid DR.. Sears good bye :"
At half-past four the whole college was there ;
the front campus seemed thronged as if it
were a Commencement Day 4; if the class rolls
had been called, every man might have an
swered to his name Soon all were formed
in procession in the order Of their classes,
End passed down College street, by the presi-
Dental mansion. DR. Sears standing on the
steps and greeting then, as they filed by. class
| by class. with uncovered heads It was in
| tended BY the students to escort DR.. Sears to
the wharf but this was waived afterwards.
aud as we understand at his suggestion -
The carriage. however. in which he went
down with his family. happened to oyertake
the procession, and so place was made for it,
and the President and his family were escort
ed down to the head of the wharf. On ar.
irving at the boat. DR.. Sears stood at the
landing surrounded by the members OF the
Faculty, and the procession filed BY. each
student shaking hands with the President as
he passed. Then all gathered around-a
dense mass Of eager faces aud throbbiny
hearts-to hear few last words from him
whom they had assemble to honor. 1t was
a most touching aud impressive scene. With
falteling voice he thanked them for this to-
ken of their affection. His life. he said.
which he had passed among them as their
teacher and their President. had been to him
a most happy one They all had and ever.
would have, a cherished place in his heart
He had been trying to live for the promotion
Of their good, and of the college whose wei
fare they all had at heart, aud he hoped that
his Efforts had not been in vain. He hoped
he should hear of their usefulness and their
success in the years to come, and he was as
sured that the University would ever 90 on
ward in prosperity and fame. He begged
them TO receive, at this last hour, the assur-
ance OF his affection, and his prayers that
Gods blessing might ever rest upon them
Prof. Lincoln briefly responded fol them
to DR.. Sears address. He said To the Press-
dent that he had been requested by the
chief marshal to respond for the stueents, to
a. T. L
lips: but it was impossible for him to give
utterance to all that was in his hea,t; aud
with such an impressive and eloquent scene
before him, all speech seemed superfuous -
The long, sad procession of his pupils which
had just escorted him hitler, and this assem-
blage of the whole college before him. gave
better expression to the prevailing sentiment
Of the hour, than any words the speaker
could command that sentiment was one Of
love for their President, and OF regret Tor the
great loss which they sustained by his de
parture. He would carry away with hln,
far mare than could be expressed To them
the college, the city itself, could never be in
future what it has been made by his presence
and influence. But some things he would
leave behind, to be theirs forever; the memo
nv of his constant kindness, OF his precepts
and his example, Of his constant efforts for
their good aud of the college they all loved.
But he MUST be excused from trying to say
more: they all came there only to see once
more that kindly face, which had so long
gladdened their college home, to hear again
his voice, to take again that hand. whose
warm grasp they had so often felt, and to say
their heart felt God be with you" The |
lew minutes interval before The leaving ofthe |
boat, were occupied with songs from the stu
dents, and music from the band, and at last
the boat moved off, amid waving of handker4
chiefs and last farewell voices from the gath
cred throng. And so ended this scene of
sad interest, alike honorable to the students
Of the college and their departing President.
And so has gone from the college, from our
city, one who leaves behind him a good and
honorable lame, not only in academic circles.
nut among all classes OF society. We under
stand that DR.. Sears proceeds at once to
Stanton, Virginia. where is to be his home
sor the winter, and probably for some time to
come. We are sure that all will respond to
he wishes of his pupils, that God Will make
MIN "A blessing to those among. whom he is
low to Iive.."s he has been to them