Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-01-31
For the Spectator.
WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY,
.Ianuarv C1st 1871

|
Mr.. Editor The 10th of January is 8
marked day in the University, being the ami
versary of the birth day. of Gen. Lee and the
anniversary of the Graham Lee Society. 1t is
very pleasing and happy coincidence that the
anniversary of this venerable Society should be
! upon the day of all days that should be forever
revered by this Institution.
Notwithstanding the threatening aspect of
the heavens, large crowd assembled from the
town and the neighborhood to listen to the eu-
logy pronounced by the Hon. Jas. p Hol-
combe, on the character of our Gen. Lee. =
There, within the walls of the Chapel of the
roof where lies his sacred remains was fit and
solemn place for such an address. The room
was draped in the deepest mourning and well
reflected the sad hearts that were there to do
reverence to his name. We will not attempt
to even give an analysis of the eulogy, as he
has delivered it in your own city, but will SIM
ply say that it was of the most beautiful and
touching style, and be brought the audience to
tears in several of his pathetic appeals. He
spoke for two hours and held the audience spell
bound during the whole time; it has never
been our pleasure before to witness such
marked attention for so long time. This eu-
logy will add to the wide reputation, as speak
er and writer, of the distinguished gentleman
who delivered it.
At 80 P M. the audience again assembled
to participate In the celebration of the Graham
Lee Society, which as a celebration was one of
the most successful the South has had for many
years, being so pronounced by some of the la
dies who have joined in many celebrations
The audience was large, but not as large as that
OF the morning, being more Of festive occa-
sion, those who have domesticated aud others
who have given up hopes of ever doing so, not
ho hor tho1r Puf
what it lacked in mature heads was more than
compensated by the sparkling eyes and bleech-
ing beauty of Lexington fair daughters. The
galleries encircing the Chapel were filled by
the fair ones, who reminded US of jewels set in
crown, as their radiant countenances beamed
forth at the usual compliments of the speakers
to the fair sex but not all were in the gallery,
Tor scattered among those seated In the lower
part of the Chapel were found some whose
beauty is unsurpassed in Lexington, who. like
the blushing violet, needed not to make them
selves conspicuous, but would be sought and
found In the thickest undergrowth.
After some sweet and soothing music from
the band of the V. M. Institute, the President,
Mr.. W. L. johnson, opened the exercises by
some appropriate and beautiful remarks and in-
troduced Mr.. j. B. Stubs, of Texas, as ora
tor OF the occasion, and announced as his sub
ject, 1.-The Influence of Nations Songs"
which, being quite new subject and handled
we'll by the speaker, was received with pleasant
assurances by the audience. On his taking his
seat the band struck up Dixie" which was
greeted by applause. the only outburst during
the evening, as they reverenced the honored
dead that slept beneath too much to be up
roarious, as is generally the case at such cele-
brations
Debate was announced as next In order and
fhn L.
the triumph of Germany, In the present war
of races, prove beneficial to civilization ~
Mr.. L. L. Cornella, of Alabama, was then in.
troduced as the first speaker in the affirmative.
He proceeded to discuss the question with
strong and forcble argument. leaving out the
gorgeous adorninents so common to young
speakers, and as an argumentative speech his
was the speech of the evening He was fol-
lowed by Mr. J. W. Lee, of Kentucky, in the
negative who made beautiful and graceful
speech, producing some very.strong arguments
Next was Mr. j. w. Taylor, of Texas,-the
second speaker in the afirmative-wh was fol-
lowed by Mr.. T. P Grasty-in the negative
both gentlemen acquitting themselves with
great credit. The Society then voted upon the
question, and it was decided by vote of 4s in
the affirmative to Al in the negative The
President then dismissed the audience by bid
ding them an 'affectionate good might"
Our examinations commenced on the 23rd of
January, and will continue for two weeks, when
the second half session begins. The students
are laboring with unusual ardor this session,
and no doubt is expressed but that they will
acquit themselves well in the contest they are
about to enter into.
Gen. G. W. Gusts Lee will assume the
Presidency of the University on the let of
February, and may it prosper and become
lasting monument to the great names of Wash
ington and Lee
Yours, &c. "CUSS.''