The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-07-01

ins,enui;,y, which so candy marx the
material progress Of the present
time. But still a moral order O.
things surrounds us. New socia
md political relations have arisen, new
questions demand solution, new duties
fresh obligations, radical and Fundamental
changes, mark now our social fabric. /,
would be imuaterial were these now who
hear me, who have been unable to blot ont
Of their memory the trials, the tolls, the
sutfcrings, and the losses Of the past, old
men, who gather no incentive to cXcrtion,
no stimulus to effort, from the altered con-
dition of public affairs, whose faces turn
lingeringly to the glorics Of the past, when
Washington fought, Henry spoke, Marshall
judged, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe,
ruled, and your Barbour, your Nelson,
your Rivcs, and your Gordon, counselcd,
and who sees nothing in the wonderful
physical advancement Of to-day to supply
the social refinement, mental culture, poll
teal stability, of American representatives
which mark that hour. But, brethren,
when, upon the other hand, see
noble men who imperilled all, and lost all
but honor in their late conflict, girding
themselves anew for honorable toll, con.
secrating their lives to developing the re.
sources of their native land, to the training
of their SONG and the moulding of a race Of
men who, by Gods blessing, shall be even
greater than their fathers, and who shall
vet illustrate that adversely is the school in
which humanity attains it's Hottest grace and
highest beauty, feel impressed that they
chcerfully bear the burden Of new epoch,
and are prepared courageously to meet its
duties. Is there no call to the young men
ofs the South everywhere for 4 greater Oh
erander struggle 70 r their country than has
ever yet challenged their dauntiess hero
ism?
lie spoke of the present condition Of our
civilization and of the Importance OF doing
something to secure and sustain 4 sound,
healthy, moral tone Of public opinion.
He proceeded to argue that this could he
obtained by building up in each individual
soul noble, manly, vigorous. pure, brave,
tolerant, and selfreliant: manhood. lie
showed that this manhood consisted not in
place, or power, or shame. lie rcfuted the
popular idea Of heToism, and cited Stone
wall Jackson and DR.. Kane as examples
of true Christian heroes. He wildly
contrasted Washington and Napoleon,
and demonstrated the superiority of the
former. He ably presented the responsible
tiles of the different classes of our people.
especially of our educated young men, and
concluded with the following appeal !:
"Here at these affairs let us consecrate our
pens and tongues and all our parts and
powers rs moral, educated men TO our
country, God, and truth. Let no thought OF
neutrality-suspicious. or popular promotion
drive lis from this proud anchorage. Upon
the highest roofs Of the grand cathedrals OF
Cologne and Milan, where no human eye
can see them. where the builder himself
GOES ND to the dizzy height with trembling
Step. may be found most elaborate work
manship in marble, the most exquisite de-
signs and statues, upon each OF which the
architect spent months, if not years, OF pa
tient study and toll, and left them to be
looked down upon only by the eye OF coo.
So, too, the truly heroic soul builds in the
grander temple of the human mind to FUR
Their on each part into un able perfection
honor it or not. Young men and old men
alike. invoke you to make this culture OF
noble manhood your great aim. Prove
yourselves worthy Of this institution.
You have wondrous past to inspire you.
Such an ancestry, such a history, and such
Commonwealth All this is your heritage.
The Romans adorned their dwellings with
the images of their fathers transformed into
household goods, so that the faces OF their
patriots and statesmen We're ever beamlhS
on them. The experiment was successful.
The virtue of one generation was transmit
ted to anothcr--bcqueathed from sire 10
son. So the characters of the present race
of Vireinians shall be the bright, conSum-
mate flowers springing from this experience
of the past, inspired by the memories OF the
dead, and untarnished 10y contact with the
living.
Governor Stevenson has good voice anu
delivery, and was heard all over the house
very distinctly. He was frequently inter-
iIlpted by loud applause, and was voclle-
rousy cheered at the conclusion OF his
address.
John Randolph Tucker, Esq, came for
ward ut the conclusion Of Governor steven
sons speech and said that we had to-day
kept high festival in this hall while we had
listened to the noble address OF Vlrglnlas
son, for Virginia never relinqulshed her
claim to her sons. He pronounced an elo-
qulent speech Virginia, and said that she
would never i'll her race after material de-
velopment abandon her love for the spirit
of liberty which burned i'll the bosoms OF
our fathers.
The band played Dixie amidst deafening
cheers.
The Society Of Alumni elected as their
next orator Judge William B. Napton, OF
st. Louis, Mo.
The Alumni Dinner was given in the
Town Hall, beginning at 5 o'clock this
afternoon. At the centre table Hon. j.
Randolph Tucker presided, and beside him
sat Hon. George II. Pendleton, Governor
Stevenson, Governor Walker, B.. j. Bar
bour, Esq, and DR.. J. R. Woods: The
bill of fare included all of the delicacies and
luxrlries that the city markets afforded,
served up in splendid style by P. Jaccheri'
In response to the regular toasts. e!o-
quent and stirring speeches were made by
Professor Stephen 0. Southall, 3. j. Bar
bour, Governor Walker, Hon. George H:
pendleton, Governor Stevenson, Colonel
Thomas L. Preston, Professor Nenable, '.
Dabney, Ham. Chamberlain, W. L. Suth-
erlin, and J. 4. Tucker. ALUMNUs.
Congressional.
WASHINGTON, June 30.-RouSe.--A petit
tion from mates in the navy asking for the