The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-07-06
COMMEN CEMENT DAY-GOVEEN.jE y NJ
KER REVIEWS TIE GADETs--AUnatSS S.
ES-NAMES OF GRADUATES.
LEXINGTON, VA, July 81, 1870.

| kGI TpNltWtu GitC CbI 20 VI Sttt~U", 'itt ~
| pressed himself highly gratified at t'teir sol
| dierly appearance and perfection ~ 'irill.
At11 o'clock the corps marched up the
main street OF the town to the Presbyterian
church. AS they moved with r"ltect
| precision of step to the inspiring le,i>ic OF
| the band their bayonnts gli,teneu i'll the
sun. and their beautiful uniforms exciting
| the admiration Of all, we were carried back
| to other days, and our hearts swelled with
pride rs we inwardly calculated God
| bless the boys who wear the grayE'
Hating in front of the Presbyterian
church, they prese nted arms as the Cover
nor, Board Of visitors, Faculty, and DIS
| tin guished visitors, filed by. They then
stacked arms, and moved into the church,
occupying the middle row at peWs, while
| the side pcws and galleries Wtre filled with
ladies and other visitors.
After PRAYER by Rev. Mr.. Pratt, Of Lex
ineton, Cadet w. 7. Huwerton, OF Virgil
niu, gracefully introduced as orator OF the
day Cadet A. Hamilton, of North Carolina.
In fitting words he alluded to the occasion,
and quoted the superintendent rs saying
that the present graduating class IS one of
the best, if not the best, ever sent ont from
the Institute, and appropriately introduced
rs his theme "ReS0tuhOn ana independence
Of Character" -,
He discussed his su 2iect in very sensible
civic aud In Well-chosen words. He cited
fhe Superintendent rebuilding the walls OF
the VIRGINIA Military Institute rs striking
illustration OF his theme, and thus brought
down the house. He was loudly applauded
as he took his seat, and rewarded with flow
ers and cards from lady friends He made
very sensible and appropriate address.
duced az the yaledictorian Of the gradu-
atine class. He alluded to the condition of
the Young men OF the South at the close of
the war, the circumstances under which
the present first class entered the Viz
ginia Military Institute, and their strug-
Giles with all difficulties until thcy
Stand here to-day to receive the crown
of their labors and hopes in The
dinloms of the Virginia Military Institute:
He then in very fitting words expressed
the feelings of the graduate on leaving the
Institute, and babe adieu to the Board OF
Visitors and Faculty, and LEFT his cadet
f,;ends who knew them, to bid farewell to
the ladies' of Lexington. in bidding adieu
TO the corps of cadets he would not advise
them to write "excelsior on SOME sliken
banner. but to write on some tuttcred bat
tle-Ga". as the motto of their cadet-llfe,
6 Hard Study" he then closed by the fol-
lowing words Of parting to his fellow
/" When the period of departure draws
near, when gathering friends cluster,
around, bcwildering the lonely traVehef,'
who knows not with whom first TO clasp the
parting hand, Dame Nature othciously
steps to his aid and directs that those who
are dearest should be reserved for the last !;
for this reason, dear classmates, have
postponed parting with you and now that
necessity forces it upon me, my heart is too
full for Iltterance too many emotions, too
many thoughts, arise for any particular one
to have precedence. Assembled together ut
our revered institution from every part of
orr beloved southern land, with so many
tvInes and shadesof character represented,
but each imperceptibly blending in another
40 as to form one harmonious whole, our dl-
ties, our studies, emulation, and constant
| ompanionship, could not Go othefwlse
than form us into band Of brothers-than
weave the ties it is my painful task to sever.
| But, classmates, what must be must:
When stern necessity wills, there is no law
| Int obedience. Then, with sorrow, I say
farewell aud say it with the original and
true significance of the word, Go, do WELL
| May you he the pride Of your country, the
boast of your Alma Mat or, the joy of your
friends, and may the Great Ruler of Events
bless, guard, aud protect you. Classmates,
fare we'll ''..'' i''s. q; 'i..'' '.'.. -
| General Smith announced the grp auates in
1.-The order of their rank as follows L. \.
Buck. r. Smith, H. W. Bluir, j, G.. Ed
monds, w. P. Carter, w. Z. Haverton, l..
Bridgers, w. r. Page, L. w. Norris, W, G.
| Childs, +, H0pson, Samuel II. Purcell: ..
| Taylor, w. V. Scuny, r. Brooke, NJ Man.
son, Il. T.tWilson. FL. Smith, j. T. erilier,
| H. B. Kindred, j. It. John, j. B. Clark, j.
B. Marvin, +. q. Menefee, W. Smith, j. G,
Littlepage, f. &. Fisher, j. L. Warning, Z,
H. BurwelI, j. II. Marable, Fl. b. Spiiler, S,
Taylor, W., II. TalIey, j. Carmichael, j.
Hopson, w. A. Langhorne, n: b. holland,
j. f. Hopkins, q. Randolph, J. r: Ander.
son, A. 81. Cooke. T. j. Dabney, j. Barrel,
G.. Quarles, j. M. Riley, N.Randolph, 5. Z,
Rodes, j. NJ, Patrick, Il. &. Arthur, II. H
Epes, j. j. Green, A. Barrett. J.
- Special School Of Eng CAPTAIN A
III. Bishop, Captain w, b. Denham, Cap.
tain ID. Palmer, Captain Thomas iWithers,
4 Harrison Alexander. >d' - <f'"i...sri /:
(: General Smith conferred the diplomas
SO In the name of the iGoverncro Of Virginit
and the Board of Visitors.'he. The an,
announcement OF the names was greeted with
,lapphuse, aud the large number of bouquets
| and cards bestowed gave abundant evidence
that the fair daughters Of the South have
not lost their interest In /" the boys who
wear the gray "but that sHbrlttons" arr
l'stiiI In the ascendant, The following are
the names of the most distinguished in each
class,: 20 "a. ;LtEss@ y ,.
First Olass.-L. N, Buck, Virginia r.
N. Smith, Maryland III. w. Blair, Viz.
ginia !; j. C. sEdmonds; Virginia; N, T, Car
ter, Virginia. p '1t,se