The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-07-11
commencement Day.


GOVERNOR WALKERS ADDRESS-AP
PEARANCE OF THE ST U EN- I s.
SPEECHES OF HON. JOHN GOODE, COLO
MEL PENN, AND OTHERS. ~.
BLACKsBURG, July 8, 1873.
Commencement day was tshered IN WITH
bright sun, and an eXhilarating breeze ilesl
from the AlleghanieS. At an early houl
Governor Walker and party drove in from
the white Sulphur Springs, and the gay
crowd commenced gathering at the Metho
G;st church, which had been tastefvliy deco
rated for the occasion, and filling it to its ut.
most capacity "a large number of persons
not being able to get inside the house, long
before the hour for the exercises to com
m.uce. a fine band from the White sui
nhur Springs, offered for the occasion by
the liberal proprietors there, was present, and
contributed to the enjoyment of all, as good
music never fails to do.
At ia A. nj. the students, about one nun
bred strong, a tine-looking body OF young
men, in full uniform, marched in TO the music
of the band. And just here, while we walt
for the Governors appearance, we must pay
a deserved tribute to the young men Ut this
college. All with whom we have conyersed,
both citizens and faculty, speak in thel
piaise. Their department has been gentle
manly and respectful their habits marked
for order and sobricty; and wlthal, they have
been good students; as Il body, hard students.
A casual observer will note that the active
life for students) which they have led has
not given them the rudy color that farmer
boys are entitled to. Hard study has told
upon them, but we hope good rest in vaca-
ton will set them all right again.
AT quarter to II Governor Walker came
in, and occupied the platform, accompanied
Ivy several distinguished gentlemen, among
whom we observed Professor Minor, the
President of the College General Lane;
w. A. stuart, Esq; DR.. H. Black, President
Of the Board of Visitors; Colonel Owen, the
Governors aid; Major j. L. Cowan; PROBES.
sur Gray Carroll; Mr.. Beverly V. Sheppard,
Esq, Secretary of Board; Professor Davis,
Hon. John G0ode, Colonel Penn, Rev. MIR.
Harris, DR.. kuhner, Rev. w. F. Wilholm,
Professor Charles Martin, and others.
The exercises were initiated by tervent
aud appropriate prayer from Rev. Mr.. Har-
ris after which, the hard.erncd certificates
of distinction were presented by President
Minor to q number Of Young gentlemen with
ii few well-put remarks, III which he eX
planned that owing to the short time since
the organization of the school diplomas
could not yet be acquired, but that the same
proficiency attained through the necessary
time by each of the students receiving these
certificates would ut its expiration entitle
them to diplomas.
Governor Walker was then introduced to
the audience, and received with hearty ap-
plause. The Governor proceeded to deliver
Que Of the best speeches we have ever bad
the privilege to listen TO. In the character
of review Of the origin, plan, and prospec,
of the college, its curriculum, the aims and
hopes Of the institution, its present success
and future promise, the Governors speech
was singularly appropriate. and received
With earnest attention and marked favor.
Arguing from the present, as the child is
father TO the man, he predicted for the coli
Iege bright future, and admonished the
students that if they mastered the currlcu'
.lum here they would be able to hew their
way through the world with battle-axe OF
their own fashioning; that this college
would not supersede our primary schools or,
encroach upon our other colleges, but bulio
upon the first and add to the structureol
the latter. =,
At the conclusion of the Governors speech
Hon. John Goode was called upon, ana re-
sponded in few happy remarks, IN wnlcn
he counselled the young men to carry INTO
active life strong arms, stout and incorruptl,
BILE hearts, and the beloved old State would
be lifted from the dust and once more dos
som like the rose.
Colonel Penn, in response to frequent calls,
congratulated the college on its successful
stand and hopeful prospect.
Messrs. Burr of West Virginia, Stuart,
and others, excusing themselves, the ,axer-
cises closed with the announcement that The
Governor would review the military compa-
MES in the evening at :, and the day closed
with q celebration by the Maury Literary So.
ciety of its anniversary at T. NJ. -
AS the mail Is about to close, your CORE
spondent will follow suit. BoTEToURr.