The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-07-05
COMMENCEMENT AT THE VIRGINIA
MILITARY INSTITUTE.
LIST OF GRADUATES.

Ill. LIST OF GRADUATES.
Special telegram to the Dispatch. IEfft1
LEXINGTON, Va, July 4-The commence
lnent day of the Virginia Military Institute
always attracts crowd hesides the usual
attendance OF those interested in the literary
feasts to be spread. The Institute and Col
Iege grounds were filled with those who were
attracted by the military display. At half
past 10 O'Clock the corps of cadets, Board of
Visitors, and Faculty of the Virginia Mill
tary Institute formed on the parade-ground
and marched to the chapel Of the University
to strains of martial music. As they came
on with firm tread and regular step, their
gray uniforms, bright buttons, and accoutrc-
mcnts, the observed of all eyes, their bright
bayonets cleaning in the sun, and the flag of
Virginia wavering over them, we could not
but inwardly reGcho the sentiment we
reported upon another recent occa-
sion, "God bless you young men
and help you to help the South" In
u short time the chapel is filled to
its utmost capacity with as brilliant an audi
| ence as we have ever seen assembled. Among
| tho more notable visitors besides the men of
mark in Lexington were observed General
r. L. Mumford, General j. G.. Mcem, and
| General w. r. Terry, of Virginia; Colonel
Edmondson and o. Williamson, Esq, of
Tennessee; Colonel Bobert w. Smith, of
Mobile, Ala; w. Cooper, Esq, of Louisiana
w. Tabue, Esq, Of Louisville, n.y.; w.
Barksdalc, Esq, of New York DR.. Murrell,
of Lynchburg, Va; George P. Taylor, Esq,
of Roanoke county, VA; Colonel Robert
Mayo, of Westmoreland county, Va; Colo
mel j. T. Patton, of Louisa Hon. Jeremiah
Morton, of Culpeper; Colonel Ed. Pendle.
ton, of Botetourt; General w. 81. Richard,
son, of Richmond; Zeph. Turner, Esq, OF
Rappahannock; General W. Skeen, of Allie,
ghauy county, Va; Captain c. w. Ander,
son, Of Savannah, Ga, and others.
The exercises were opened with prayer by
Rev. J. William Jones, of Virginia.
1t was wisely determined to have the
speeches of the young men first to-day. Tho
President, Mr.. W. L. Spottswood, Of Rich
mond, introduced us orator of the second
class Cadet Il. b. Matthews, of Louisiana
With fitting alllsion to the occasion, he
spoke OIL Social BCnefaction, showing the
obligation we arc under to work for the good
of others, and the means by which we may
do this. He illustrated his theme by well
chosen examples from history, and presented
the incentives which should stir the young
men up to seek the public good. He drew
Il vivid contrast between the public bcnc
factor and the selfish man, and took his seal
amid wel-merited applause.
Mr.. Matthews's speech had high tone
about it, and was creditable alike to himself
and the Institute.
The yaledictolian of the graduating clls:
was Mr.. William II. Murrell, of Lynchburg
lie bade a feeling and appropriate farewell
to the Superintendent and the Faculty, tho
ladies of Lexington, the citizens, the pro-
fessors and students Of Washington and Lee
University, the cadets, and his tellow-gradu
ates. In speaking to the students he alluded
to the kindly feeling which had existed be-
tween them and the cadets, and expressed
the hope that this might continue, and
pledged the Gray Jackets to be always ready
to meet them half way. He advised the ca
diets to remember that honor could be won
only by work. Hc made touching allusion
to the death of Colonel j. w. Massie and
Captain Alfred Marshall, and paid fitting
tribute to their memory.
Mr.. Murrell made some excellent hits,
which brought down the house, and closed
with an earnest appeal to his comrades to
seek to prepare for that meeting which
knows 10 parting.
Mr.. Murrell's speech was well written
and well delivered.
General Smith then delivered the diplomas
to the graduates amid the applause of the
audience. The following is the list of sis,du
ates in the order of their standing, the first
| five being those specially reported to the
Governor as distinguished: Fl
r. z. w. Morris, of Virginia; w. IL
Wilson, of Maryland; c. 2. A. Brady, o
Virginia; A. II. Sullivan, of Georgia; d. B
Harris, of Virginia R.P. Bell, of Virginia
N. L. Spottswood, Of Virginia; Il. Harris
of Virginia; A. L. Johnston, of Virginia
w. H. Murrell, of Virginia w. A. Rawles
of Florida; T. D. Hawkins, of Virginia
L. Taylor, of Tennessee; o. Williamson, 0
Virginia; +. P. Cameron, Of Florida; 1. ;
spady, of Virginia; G. w. Taylor, of Viz
ginia; j. C. Camnack, of Virginia ; S. NJ
Taylor, of Virginia; J. E. Dove, of Virginia
A. P. Ferguson, of Virginia; J. NJ. Tut
wiler, of Virginia j. NJ. Halsey. Of Viz
ginia; A. W. Harlan, Jr., of Virginia; ID
D. Whitehead, Of Virginia; L. S. Crane,
Louisiana; S. NJ. Laurason, of Louisiana
| Fl. R. Fairfax, of Virginia; J. B. s. Baugh
of Virginia; w. j. Magratb, of South Caro-
lima; j. II. Patton, Of Tennessee; j. H
Smith, of Alabama; w. P. Russell, of Soutl
4 Carolina; w. Nalle, of Virginia; j. M
I Bilisoly, of Virginia. f.
| The following graduates completed thei
entire course without a single demerit: !: II
iP. Bell, D. Hawkins, A. Johnston, w. a
tRawls, NJ. L. Spottswood, 7. r. Sullivan
and j. III. Smith.
| After the delivery of the diplomas Gene
ral Smith introduced General w. Skeeb, Q
AIleghany county, Va, who, in behalf o
the Board of Visitors, addressed to the grad
yates few stirring words, which were in