New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-06-30
COMMENCEMENT SEASON.
n,Su,xoToN AND LIE UNIVERSITY.

,~rtuHSCE OF GFS LEES EXAmfLL-AN ~
rFarsrrNG coILEGE Observation-Disclosures AND
, LEA As THE FOUNDERS OF A UNIVKRslIf-ns
.~.rsrNr ORGANIZATION AND SYSTEM OF IN
xrRuCTloN-THE RECENT CoMMENCEMENi-hi'
roR,c ASSOCIATIONS OF THE SEAT OF THE
UNIVERSITY.
rysox THE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRiBoSs'
LEXINGTON, Va, June 24.-lt is creditaple
% The southern people that when Frustrated ana oe
.,opdeut by the results OF the many OF her "ses'
and most distinguished men turned their a'tenoo" anu
devoted their lives to the education OF tue rs'us
Grafton Colleges were reorganized upon en't
and comprehensive plans. faculties were s'ienk ,
ened, and liberal appropriations were ~auo
from depleted treasures for the inS'n'e
nance Of institutions OF learning and for the eAe"sVn
of the public school system, so that an ci"'' -.
seceive its benefits. Gen. Robert b. Lees eN"'p' "
This matter had great effect. In the Town VI AoNe
ton far in the interior OF Virginia, nestled among inc
mountains aud almost inaccessible by modern hooes "
,,ave there was a college of high character out moue'
,,re,epsous bearing the corporate name OF the 0ocSo
of washington in Virginia. To this came Lee Us fieSr
dent 1850 sro,v
The germ Of Washington College was an acaueiny
,raed in i7.o by great OF the celebrated Aren't
oald Alexander, u. D., President OF PRINCETON lN''J
Theological Seminary. A patriotic spirit cu W 49,,
Of name In l77e. when. In the days OF eAci'e, .,,
e.. the hattie OF Lexington the Trustees drecteu .a'
fta
name now famous in the annals of the presbyterian
Cbureh in the United states. Soon after the cioSe VI
che Revolution the Legislature OF virginia sa'o "
Gen Washington token OF their esteem loo snar "a
,,ock in the old James River Company ueu'
Washington, however, was not S". i
President and he consented 10 feo0'o
the donation only the condition that nc DC io"e
IN anpropriate il to some public purpose such as "o
education Of the children Of the poor particularly VI e
rs have fallen in defense of the country. rms reu
,ion OF the President to have received laVor anu
after careful inquiries the respective claims Oh Ill
The existing schools and colleges, Gen. Washington sig
sed IN The Governor his wish that the stock should 30
70 Liberty Hall with view TO promote literature n
This rising empire and TO encourage the arts Liberty
Hall then became washin gton College; and the Lesa
ture retiring shares OF the Stock eh'ereu i"o
compact 10 pay TO that college SIX pei oe"' iN
10000 forever annually 1900
the ..ample Of Washington was followed in 1903 by
che famous Society OF the Cincinnati, organized by
officers OF the Revolutionary War TO perpetua'e hhup
acquaintance among themselves. and to accumulate u
fnnd for the relief OF INDECENT families OF their soldiers
In tina wear named this Society, disbandng Influenced
as they declared By the example OF washington ana py
desire TO promote his patriotic purpose, appropriated
the residue OF their fund, amounting to s25Ooo' 10
Washington College. Thus the Cincinnati professorshlp
was endowed annual address by the irs schoiar
of the graduating classs is still delivered 10 commemora
tion OF the objects of the Cincinnati Society. But
securing from one OF his soldiers an 1rishnan named
Holm Robinson beQues OF his whole estate valued at
s75 and made available by the trustees OF the college
as AN endowment OF $4,000 for the Robinson Professor
chip then founded.
when the late Civil War began, Washington College
was doing a good work in a quiet way. Among It's
alumni were Of the most distinguished statesmen
and divines that Virginia to the country This cat
aogue included seven United States Senators, seven
Governors OF States, than 20 members OF the
House Representatives Judges of superior courts
and 10 Presidents OF colleges. But the war MADE the
Investments of endowment fund suffer severe loss
professors and students scattered aud the Union
troops occupyng Lexington on raid, the college
sacked its apparatus destroyed. and its libraries disa
peaed At the close OF the It's prospects were blue
indeed. when by happy stroke the trustees called
Gen Robert Z. Lee to the Presidency, and to every
arceptance Washington College entered upon new ana
more brilliant career and 1t stands in the estima-
ton OF all who know its high standard and require
Dents, second to no college in the country
PRESENT ORGANIZATION.
Con lee rave TO his new duties his whole time, and
made the institution pride OF his last years. His
name attracted 10 it students in large numbers from
avery Southern state, from the North. and some
from foreign countries Money also flowed freely into
Ats treasury Cyrus II. Mccormick, then resident OF
New-York bestowed 1t the generous gift OF $4,000
10 found the Proessorshp of Experimental Philosophy
and Practical Mechanics, which now bears his namc
Warren Newcomb, also of New-YOrk. gave $4,000; w.
w. Corcoran OF Washington, ID. c. $4,000 and library
of 5000 volumes r H. Bayly Of New-Orle@s $4,000
and State prOfessorships were literally endowed by
Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, and Texas while
Georgia Tennessee, Virginia. South Carolina, Florida
and other States are engaged in raising funds for
the establishment OF additional State chairs But the
trustees say that needed carry out
the plans OF Gen. Lee especially for the departments OF
agriculture. commerce, and mechanical engineering.
fha Gn,,th Tho
college authorities did depend alone the name OF
Gen Lee as means attracting patronage. Upon his
death his son. G.. W. c. Lee OF the highest
culture aud attachments, who graduated first in all
his classes West Point called from another educa
tional institution to fll the vacant chair, and he. with
the Faculty determined 10 carry out the plans OF his
father by creation Of great Southern University
ON the very broades basis Of culture, usefulness and
xenowp, Washington College then became Washington
and Lee University. The Faculty strengthened until
At numbers beside the President twelve professors
ave assistant professors, and several tutors, all
whose names known and honored throughout the
South and several have national reputation
81 their respective departments Of learning.
I The curriculum system having been abandoned, the
course OF study is now divided into the following dis
sinct schools: Latin. Greek. Modern Languages, En-
gsh Literature, Moral Philosophy, History and Politi
cal Economy, Mathematics, Natural Philosophy Chem
lstry, Mueraogy, and Geology, Applied Chemistry,
Civil Engineering. and Law and Equity To obtain the
degree OF Master OF Arts the student must have received
certificates OF distinguished proficiency in entire
schools and passed satisfactory ton on
Nil the subjects included therein The other academic
degrees conferred by this institution are those
of Bachelor OF Philosophy Bachelor OF Science Bache
Sor Of Arts and Doctor OF Philosophy,
COMMENCEMENT, 1874
The uent exercises OF have lust taken
place On the 2lst the Baccaaurate sermon was delv
cred by the Rev F. f. winker, ID. d., OF Alabama from
che seth verse OF the 10th Psalm and the 22d the