The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-07-06
ADnRrss TO TIE GRADUATING CLASS BY
GENERAL JOHN T. MORGAN,
OF ALABAMA.


On last evening took place at the lnstl'
tute buildings the final celebration OF the
"Society of Cadets" The audience "as
small, but was graced with numbe' u
elegant ladies. In the exercises the deD,;t
came first. The question " (Which ID the
stronger passion, ambition or avarice." was
discussed by Cadets S. H. Letcher and G. A
Elicit in of the affirmative and CO.
diets r. Z. Nelson and r. Semple IN the
NEGATIVE, The victory was awarded to the
ne9atiye by vote of the society, every. one
seeming to appreciate Mr.. Semple's speech
esnecially. Next followed the grafton by
Cadet Randolp on the subject " Persever'
ance.n which called forth great applause.
Colonel Lyell, of the Faculty, by pre-
y;ous invitation, then addressed the society
in a very practicable speech. lie urged
the Young men t0 "go to work" and
showed then, shat the true elements of sue
cess are /" common sense and urplication.' p
This closed the proceedings Of last night.
General Beauregard, who was expected,
has not arrived.
The Presbyterian church was the scene
of the ceremonies to-day. Shortly after III
o'clock the strains from Smiths Richmond
Band announced the procession OF cadets.
In front marched the corps Of cadets in
their suits of grey. When the cadets had
been seated the Faculty Of the Institute,
accompanied by the Board of Visitors and
the Faculty of the College, took their places.
The exercises opened with an appropriate
prayer by, the Rev. Mr.. Pratt, of Alabama
and after music, Nh. r. E. Nelson, Of Vir-
pinia, introduced Mr.. F. W. James, of
Texas, who delivered the yaledictory on be-
half of the graduating class. There was
much in Mr., James's address to commend,
but there is only room enough allowed me
to make few extracts. After appropriate
remarks to the Board of Visitors and the
Faculty. he addressed his fellow-cadets in
words which seemed to come from the heart,
and among others these: Comrades, you
must arouse yourselves to the conviction
that your term of service spent here ls to
fit YOU for high destiny; you must arouse
Yourselves to the Importance OF the present
hour: for you are here to obtain that know
ledge which is to enable you to discharge all
important duties. It is for you to pre-
serve intact by your actions that high tone
of honor and chiYalrous spirit which have
from time immemorial distinguished the
character of the southern gentleman. 1t
is for you to cherish and commemorate the
names and deeds of those sleeping heroes
who were here before us, and who now rest
upon fields of glory awaiting the summons
to the grand review" After an affecting
farewell to the ladies on behalf Of his class
mates, Mr.. james concluded with graceful
and touching adieu to the graduates:
Mr.. Clay Stacker, of Tennessee, in behalf
of the corps, then delivered an oration to
the graduating class. His speech contain
ed many graceful passages. -, -
Bououets were showsred On both the
young orators.
General Smith, with his usual dignity
and earnestness OF manner, then conferred
diplomas on the following gentlemen in the
order named F. W. James, Of Texas II.
e. Nelson, of Virginia; John B. Purcell, Of
Virginia w. II. Butler, Of Virginia a.
Il. Bishop, Of Virginia; G. A. Ellet, OF VIZ
ginia j. r. Packet, OF Virginia; =. D.
Jones, of Virginia; W. F. Wright, OF Ar
kansas; r. B. Gibson, of West Virginia ;
NJ. J. Branch, of Virginia.
Mr., James graduated first OF his class,
although he labored under many disadyan,
tapes from loss Of time by sickness and
other causes. Distinctions in the various
classes we're announced by the Superln-
tendent. rR
After some fine music from the band,
General Smith introduced to the audience
General John 7. Morgan, of Alabama,
whose clear, silyery tones OF once Won
for him the hearts of oil who heard
hem. His address was very eloquent,
md wsa listened 10 with deep interest.