The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-11-15
LETTER FROM LEXINGTON.
Anniversary Of1he Virginia Military
Anstitute-CelebrafiO of the Cadets
Society-Progress-P Of the Lee
Memorial Association Approved by
Mrs. Lee
rrespondence of The Richmond Dispatch. ]

LEXINGTON, Va, Nov. 12, 1870.
The anniversary Of the foundation Of the
Virginia Military Institute was celebrated
there Yesterday by the usual suspension Of
lectures and "big dinner" as the boys
call il. The cadets were on the streets in
large numbers, and the confectionery and
fruit stores drove brisk trade; but there
was no departure from the usual good order
and proprIety which have characterized the
corps.
Last night the "Cadets' Society" had
their anniversary celebration in the mess
hall Of the Institute. AT an early hour q
crowd of students and cadets congrcgated
in the ball and amused themselves by Civ
ing to each newcomer hearty rounds of ap-
rlause. AT the appointed hour the Insti-
tute band took their appropriate place and
dlscoursed during the evening very sweet
music, the society filed in to their reserved
seats, and the speakers, president, &C.,
were escorted upon the stand. rhe presl-
dent of the society, Cadet Camp, of Georgia,
introduced as orator of the occasion Mr.. NJ.
4. Wilson, of South Carolina, Without
the usual stereotype address to :'Mr. Pre-
Sldent, fellow-members, ladies and gcli-
tlemcn," MIR. Wilson related the incident in
the life of Henry Clay when he proudly
said So had rather he right than PreSi-
the guiding star Of the great chieftain whom
we have recently followed to the tomb !;
spoke of how the illustrous men who have
in the past gone out from the walls OF the
Virginia Military Institute had been guided
by the same spirit, and announced rs Il
theme. which he conceived to be appro-
pirate to the anniversary OF the founding Of
the Institute, "The proper ambition Of
the yoal',g men Of The South"
Alter arguing that ambition properly di-
rected is 4 noble principle, and briefly Illus
trating and enforcing his theme, he con-
cluded as follows:
"Although the political arena at the South
| at the present time may not be inviting, we
ought ever to remember that ambitions
lawful field is as wide as the world. If eX-
ccllence of character and high qualities Of
soul do not meet with proper apprecia-
ton in politics, they are much needed in
many other avocations of life. The South
has now a greater character to maintain
and higher destiny to achieve than ever
before, and success will certainly crown our
efforts if we place the sacred cause of Right
before every other consideration, and Ell
deavor to mould our characters after those
who consecrated their lives to the land ne
love- and whose examples may be taken rs
guiding stars, rejecting back, aS they do,
their shining lights through the past.
The proper object of our ambition should
be TO perpcttate and extend the principles
to the maintenance Of which so many of our
, hraycst and best have sacrificed, together
| with everything most dear, their own pre-
! ciouS lives.
! The proper object Of our ambition should
! he to preserve in all its purity the high
toned chivalry which has ever been found
| inscparablc from southern gentlemen. |
| take it for granted that every southern
Youth claims this as his bilth-right, and am
not going too far when | say that each one
will guard 1t as 4 priceless jeacel.
The proper object OF our ambition should
| be To be IL generation OF men indigenous to
| southern Soil-not men in the common &C
ceptalion OF the term, but noble, high
minded men '-'men who know their
rights, and knowing dare maintain
We want more OF the spirit which ami
mated the immortal Stuart, who, in the
midst of one OF his most brilliant campaigns,
| received telegram that Il lavorite child lay
at the point Of death. Brushing away Il
hasty tear, he replied My country needs
my services. commit my child into the
hands of my God
This is the proper object Of ambition for
southern young men to know their duty,
and, as he did, to make right the mail.
spring, and leave The rest i'll the hands of
God"
Mr.. Wilson'S sIeech was only twelve
minutes long, and was as happy in the
things it did not contain rs in those it did
have. e., in It's freedom from certain pet
phrases and illusions that have become
quite threadbarc hareabouts.
Mr.. Wilson has stood first in each of his
previous classes, and Will probably gradu-
ate at the head OF his class next July.
The question announced for debate was,
(Which yields the greater delight, hope or
memory" z" Cadet; John Tutwilcr, of Rock
bridge, and K. B Pearson, OF Alabama, sus-
tanned the affirmative and Cadets K. b.
Mathews, Of louisiana, and II. }. Huck, of
Texas, the negative. The debate was spir-
tied and earnest, and elected frequent ap-
plause. 1t is no eisparagement to the others
TO say that Mr.. Tutwiler made the speech
of the discussion. The speakers We're re-
warded with the usual allowance of bou-
ouets, cards, and smiles from the bellies pres
ent and the large audience-is they usually
10 here-Lstenel TO the speeches. On the
whole, it yyas pleasant occasion.
When our excellent town paper came out
on THURSDAY afternoon with flaming head
ing, --latest by Telegraph-Special to the
Gazette," we begun To imagine that we had
made great stride in the way of progress.
2ut. unfortunately, as we went out on the
N
loading goods 1T the stores, and were thus
uupleasantly reminded that the "canawl"
was not running, and that the first train on
our three railroads has not yet arrived.
Well! but we have the telegraph, and our
people rejoiced heartily over the cheering
election news, and over none more than
the result in REhmond.
at meeting of the Executive Commit
tee OF our Lee Memorial Association, held
Yesterday. 1t was resolved that the chief
work which this association Will under
take shall be to erect over the tomb sar-
cofagus of finest marble, with recumbent
statue of Gen Lee, and to tit up III appro-
pirate style the room IN which he lies.
This is fully approved by Mrs. Lee-indeed
part of the plan is her suggestion-and
the committee will act in this whole matter
in strictest accord with the feelings and
wishes Of the bereayed family.
The college authorities would most cneer-
fully make any appropriation that might be
necessary to carry out these plans, but the
Memorial Association insist that the soldiers
who followed the great chleftaln, ana ms
other devoted admirers, should not be de-
prived of the privilege Of assisting In deco
rating his tomb.
Already contributions begin to flow into
our treasury, and we have every confidence
that we shall soon realize all that we need.
LEXINGTON.
DREDGING RIyERs.-A writer in the Louis