Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-06-17

pher OF StOneWall jackson relates ina
when he was first examined at West
Point ''the line which separated the
incompetents and condemned them to
an immediate discharge, was drawn
a very little below him. Nowise dis,
heartened by this but thankful that he
had saved his distance, he redoubled
his exertions. At the end of his first
year, in class of seventy'two, he
stood forty fifth in Mathematics" The
end of the End year, he stool 18th in
Mathematics, and during his stay at
West Point he made corresponding
advancement in all of his other studies
so that at the end of his fourth year
his general standing as graduate was
18th. sit was a frequent remark
among his comrades that if the course
were two years longer than it was
Jackson would assuredly graduate at
the head of his class" General Lee
was one of the most laborious men OF
his day. In addition to his other great
traits of character he was noted as an
officer both in the United States and
Confederate States Armies for system
and punctuality. And as president of
| Washington and Lee University he
had before his death reduced every
thing in connection with the workings
of that Institution to the regularity of
clock-work.
Washington's life from boyhood up
was life devoted to toll. However
much popular hero worship may exalt
what is styled Genius, at the expense
of system and labor; yet we find that
the three men who have more than all
others contributed to illumine the
pages of Virginia's history and whose
illustrio,,s careers will not be forgotten
so long as truth is admirable, and until
patriotism ceases to be a virtue, were
specially remarkable for systematic
work.
Bnt why go abroad in quest Of Illus
trations for my theme. You have in
your own village notable example Of
what energy and work properly dlrec"
ted will accomplish. Almost unaided,
with untiring zeal, the able principal
of the New Market Polytechnic In
stitute has built up an Institution of
learning here which reflects credit upon
the country and State afording the
young men of the Shenandoah Valley
the opportunity to receive liberal ed
ucation at home and at small cost when
compared with other institutions; and
inviting by its superior advantages
patronage from abroad.
But my young friends what the
world calls success is not always the
test of merit; but just so sure as God
IS true, merit will reap its reward. Be
true then to yourselves and true to the
truth. Never yield your honest cons
victions of what is right to mere ex-
pediency. Ask yourself the question
when about to act. Is it right? Not,
Is it expedient? is it popular? What
will it profit me? Every name that
shines with undimmed lustre on the
page of history had right as the pole
Star of action. Truth will ultimately
triumph Notwithstanding the Temporal
ry ascending at times of error 10
quote the language of the great Pascal,
ut is strange and tedious war when
violence attempts to vanquish truth.
All the efforts of violence cannot
weaken truth, and only serve to give it
fresh vigor. All the lights of truth
cannot asrest violence, and only serve
to exasperate it. Which, force meets
force the weaker must succumb to the
stronger When argument is opposed
to argument the solid and the convlnr
cling triumphs over the empty and
false; but violence and verify can make
no impression on each other. Let
none suppose however that the two are
therefore equal to each other, for there
is this vast difference between them,
that violence has only certain course
to run limited by the appointment of
heaven, which overrules its effects to
the glory of the truth which it assails +;
whereas verify endures forever, and
eventually triumphs over Its enemies,
being eternal and almighty as God
himself" Martyrs to the cause of
truth have died for conscience sake on
the glbbett, at the stake and in the fore
front OF battle IN all ages-and III their
death they were triumphant. The
blood of the Martyr has been the seed
of the Church and 'every lily in free
dom's crest sprang form scarlet dew. :
Some one has beautifully expressed it
that the last analysis of liberty is the
blood of the brave.
l have only time this evening to call
your attention to the striking example
of our own immortal Lee who turned
deaf ear to the voice of expediency
and linked his destiny with the cause
of right. At the beginning of the war
in 1861, he was the favorite officer of