Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-06-24
aAsaNeTOH-LEE UNIVERSITY.
Commencement Week-hesalts, Condition
and Prospects HOnors Conferred,
and who Upon.
Commencement Sabhath- Sermon Of Or.
Cranberry. Of Richmond. Va.

special correspondents Of the Appeal


Cranberry, Of Richmond, Va.
/ special correspondents OF the APPEAL
LEXINGTON, VA, Juno r. 1871.
4 stranger, dropping in upon our
/ mountain town at this time would be
at once impressed that something un-
usual was on the tQpis. The crowds
about the principal hotel, the thrOngs
| OfgayIy dressed bellies and beauX who
walk the streets, and the general holt
day air 10 be seen on every side, tell
( plainly hatsomething special is about
/ to turn w. He would not mingle long
/ with the gay thrODg before learning
/ that "Commencement Week" at
Washington and Lee University is
Just beginning.
A large part OF the endowment OF
the college was lost by the war, and
its buildings were sacked and its Ii
brary and appefatus destroyed by
General David Hunter in the summer
Of 1864. When the trustees assem-
bled in 1865, the prospects Of the col
Iege were dark indeed. But a bril-
liant suggestion made by one Of their
number was at once acted upon, and
General r. r. Lee, who had just laid
aside the sword he had used so nObly
in defense Of his native State, was
called to the Presidency Of the insti-
tuition. He accepted the call and en-
tered upon the discharge of his duties
in September, 1865. Since that time
the course of the college has been up
F.. ward and onward. Ten new profess
sOrships have been established, the
course Of instruction has been re-mod-
eled to meet the advanced demand of
science and art, and it is the design,
so soon as the finances viii permit, to
introduce into the University course
a thorough and practical training for
the agricultural, commercial, and me-
chanical pursuits Of life. The patron
age which the college has received
since its reorganization has been mOst
encouraging. As many as All stu
dents have matriculated during one
session, Notwithstanding the PROSTATE
condition ofthe finances Otthe South.
The death OF its illustri0us Presi-
dent last October was certainly a seTi-
Gus loss to the College. Those who
supposed that General Lees position
here was a mere Sinec6re-that his
illustriOus name was used to attract
students, and that he had nothing fur
Their to do with them-kneW little Of
the maj and the conscientious devO-
ton with which he met eUery duty
imposed upon him. His eye and in
fuence was e0eTy1CheTe in all that CON
cerned the interests Of the College,
and if r. Z. Lee had never accom-
plished anything else, his work at
Washington College, both in what he
actually accomplished and in what he
planned, would have written his name
high upon the roll Of fame.
When the Board Of Trustees met to
consider the interests of the College
after the death Of General Lee, they
did what might have been expected
from the enlightened wisdom which
they had hitherto shOWn-they elected
General q. W. Custis Lee to succeed
his father in the Presidency, and
changed the name Of the Institution
to Washington and Lee University"
and took such measures as would fully
carry ont the views Of the Great Chief
tain and make the child of his Old age
and last affections in every respect
worthy of his name and fame.
General Gusts Lee has proven him
self worthy 60 succeed his illustriOUs
Father. or fine native talent, one of
the most accomplished graduates
ever sent out from West Point, q hard
student all Of his life, one of the best
teachers in the country, and of Won
powers for at the same
time attracting and governing
young men-General Lee has given
the highest satisfaction to both stu
dents and professors, and impresses
all with whom he comes in contact
with the idea that he was born for a
University President. Only thirty /
years old, of fine health, indOm-
liable energy, and large views, it needs
no prophetic ken to predict that the 1
work so well begun by his ilustriOus
viii be nObly accomplished by
The son, until &" Washington and Lee /
University" shall, indeed, become a
monument of the great chief
tain whose body sleeps beneath its
chapel and whose spirit still fingers
amid its classic shades.
The session just closing has been a
most successful one. They have had
}32 Undergraduates and 4 Resident
Misunderstanding p States, two
Territories, France and Canada-and
{ would be really difficult to collect
.Ogether so many young men among
ThOm there would be less dissipation
md more studiousnessand gentleman
y bearing than among these young
The moral and religious tone
.mOng them has been unusually high,
he Young Mems Christian AssOcia-
ion has been very flOurishing, they
ave sustained Sunday-schOOls and
rayer-meetings at destitute points,
nd the community have looked upon
be students, not IS an element of dis
rider, but as real cOnservatOrs of the
e8ce and religious interests of town
nd county. I
The examinations for the degrees
his year have just closed, and have
asulted as follows: =
Master of Arts-I. T. Bartlette, of 1
lOuisiana. ,
Bachelor Of Arts-E. ?. Clarke, Of =
Iissouri; r. II. Fleming, Of Vir-
inia; +. w. Lewis, of Virginia; NJ. a,
iatthews, of Tennessee; W. II. Nc
utchan, Of Virginia; f. Roane, of {
'irginia; W. w. Gray, of Kentucky;
nd ID. L. Wilson, OF Virginia.
Bachelor Of Science-W. M. Dunlap, 5
Virginia. :
Bachelor Of Philosophy-F. Roane, .
Virginia. ;
Civil Engineer-W. J.. Bennett, of
)uth Carolina, and W. NJ. Dunlap, of 4
'irginia.
The small number who take these
give ample proof Of the high
andard Of scholarship required.
Commencement proper begins :
-mOrrOW with the Baccalaureate
srmon by Rev. DR.. Cranberry, oil
edmond, Va, and the address be-
re the Y. nj. G. Association by Rev. +,
Grasty, of Kentucky.
The exercises viii close with "COm- .
.encement Day" proper on next +,
thursday. We viii send you daiy1
)tices Of the proceedings. }
SHIRLEY. }
ANNIVERSARY OF THE Y. NJ. c. ASsO- .
ETATTnN y