Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-06-30
Letter from the University of Va.

Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette.
UNIVERSITY OF Va, June 29.-The Soci-
ety of Alumni met this morning pursuant to
notice in sthe Chapel. 1t. Governor >. L.
Marye, of Fredericksburg, Va, President, in
the chair, Eugene Davis, Of Charlottesville,
acting as secretary. The meeting was quite
largely attended by Alumni from this and other
States and considerable enthusiasm seemed to
neryade the body in regard to the welfare and
prospects of the institution. Major Peyton
the efficient Proctor, reported from commit
tee to suggest topics of interest for consider
alton, the following: lst in regard to the es-
Enlistment of scholarships and prizes by Lo-
cal Clubs I'd Changing time Of opening and
closing the session. Sd Asking the Legislature
for larger Annuity 18th Taking steps look
inc to the raising Of the standard Of Educa-
ton throughout the State, etc, etc.
Col. Willis =. Bowcock, formerly Attorney
General of the State, thought it best TO have
charter and then could be done what was
most desirable in carrying out the views OF the
committee, and, with this in view, he offered
the following resolutions which were adopted.
Resolved, That the President and Secretary
and two others, to be by the President sci ccted,
be constituted committee to obtain charter
for this Society from the Legislature.
Resolved ID That Il committee Of five be
appointed by the chair to apply for such pow
crs as may be desired to be exercised under
this charter. .....
At the evening session the question Of max
ing the University free to all the youth of the
pirate larger amount Of money to this insti
tuition tuition for this purpose, elected very ANNA
ted debate, and was finally laid aside for the
present.
Gen. VIM. A. Quarles Of Nashville, was
placed in nomination rs next orator on the part
of the Alumni.
At night the speech from Gen. \. Z. Baker,
Of Ala, was delivered. Prayer was offered by
Rev George B. Taylor, Chaplain. J.. B. Ro-
hey, esq, Il graduate in Law, then presented
the ''Orator Of the South" Cen \. &. Baker,
who for over 10 minutes kept the large audi
encc spell bound by the rnpidity aud clcarness
of his uttcrancc-by the beauty and lcrvdncss
OF his dictiou His Grafton was replcte with
splendid imagery and taking phrases. He
characterized the University of Va as Il great
fortress of learning" "a better and stronger
expression than that Of Pcrclcs when he said
that Athens was the ''Sehoo Of Greece"
The spirit of the life was problem to be sol
we'd by the youth OF this aye and hc therefore
in burning words eXhOrtcd the young men to
lit themselves Cor the mighty struggle. The
fiat Of the Almighty against man after the fall
was great blessing, "in the sweat Of thy brow
shalt thou labor I'LL thy days" 1t was the spirit
of "Antagonism' thus cngendered that pro-
duced tho mighty results We see all around us.
This capital speech was listened to with
marked attention by the large audience present
and was conceded to be the handsomest Grafton
to which these old Halls had resounded for
long season His diction was chastc and beau
tiful-his manner earnest and effective. Gen.
Baker was one of the most gallant and mcri-
torious officers Of the Confederate States ser
vice, serving with high distinction in the West
tern army. He is 4 prominent lawyer and one
of the most influential men in his State. He
is about 40 years Of age Il spare man, with
thin face, but piercing eyes He made good
impression.
To-day is the great day" and am happy
to say the weather is most propitious-thc sun
is obscured by clouds, which makes it 50 much
more pleasant and there is 4 most delightful
breeze blowing up the va4lics Of the South
western mountains l. will send you a full list
of the \. NJ $ and other honor men as soon as
it can be obtained Enough for the present.
Will send more tomorrow. Yours, X.
The Port Tobacco Times says.--1hc storm
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