The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-07-01

was almost rent IN twain, and the lana,
was covered with the lurid lights and
dark shadows of internecine war and
civil strife. The professions and civil
business relations Of all classes OF men
were depleted of their sblest representa-
tiyes, and the voice of u people in anguish,
yet in the full power Of earnestness, was
calling upon the youth of the land 10
come forward, and defend the faith OF
the fathers of the Republic that the her
itage Of free institutions might be ours
/ to give as it had been ours to receive:
In the years that had been gwen my
college mates and myself to be favored
with the instruction of II carefully selec
ted curriculum, one most important oi
| all lessons was continually per-
vading each study and surrounding eve
ry companienship-mOst positive IN de-
termlnng and maturing character, most
! potent in forming the correct estimate Of
! duty, obligation, aud respOnsiblllty-obe-
dience to law, local, State and national;
recognition of order and authority ut
all times to quit ourselves like men.
| That was the lesson of every hour, day
and year. How we'll it Is taught, and
how well its teachings were followed,
need no special declaration to this com
munity and TO you. my hearers. The
loved name of Professor John Fraser
and the many men of Jefferson
who throughout the whole war per-
formed deeds of service and duty
are most familiar to you all. 1t was my
especial privilege to join with my college
mates and companions his command.
| Their record is marked in almost every
household throughout this county. How
few of them are here to-day! blsea>c
and death made sad havoc in their tHnks,
and loving friends and relatives mourn
the loss OF the unrcturning brave. That
college furnished, as institutions OF learn
ing have ever furnished, men ready to
serve and save the nation. In ripper
manhood | am honored to-day in being
permitted to stand on almost the same
classic ground. But what change
has taken paccl The bitter and
bloody struggle of warning sections and
States has passed away, and Il reunited
people still exist, mightier rs nation,
greater in the worlds brotherhood, and
grander in their conception of free insti-
tutions and the Republic destiny.
"AIl, all are gonc-the old familiar faces"'
The Joyous companions Of my carly life
who survive have become the staid, con-
scrvative, quiet citizens, and the very
school oflcarning itself US distinct col
ege, has merged into this honored and
| renowned institution. But those CON
nected with either of the old colleges can
here contemplate with pride the existence
of the new, and rejoice in this which Is
to them still their GIHa mater.
Those who controlled the destiny of
| these two institutions, after years of de-
! liberation. have wisely in the cause of
education, deemed II union best tor the
rood of all and their action in the con.
struction OF those noble buildings, bear
ing the name jointly OF Washington aud
Jefferson, receives the warm and hearty
approval of every alumnus. The schools
! OF learning established in the towns Of
Washington and CanOnSburg almost Il
century ago, and the successor OF which
this college now is, are identified with
| that era in American history
now being cOmmcmorated throughout
! this broad land. The Centennial of
the nation leads us back in thought to the
period OF our college birth, and, sheltered
as it is under the honored names of
! Washington and jefferson, teaches us
! that as their union in labor and work
was for the highest conception Of civil
government, SO we may hope that the
union of these institutions may give to
| the world the highest conception of
scholarship and manly training. Wash
ington and Jeilerson-the soldier and the
statesman. OF all men called 10 the field
of public action in America one hundred
wears ago, we are indebted to the triumph
and success of the revolution to none in
"a greater degree than to them. Their
names are inseparably connected with
the establishment of American indepen
dencc. The young Jefferson trained in
that school of Virginia statesmen, which
was led by Patrick Henry, whose elo-
quence he had often listened to, and
whose burning words kindlcd a patriotic
flame in his youthful heart-waS fated
that, under this continual inspiration, he
should pen that immortal Stat paper
that proclaimed the equality ofmnnkind,
that asserted the rights of men, and the
undying purpose Of the heroic leaders of
the infant nation TO maintain, by
pledging their lives, their fortunes and
their sacred honor. Imagine his JOY
when, upon arriving at Philadelphia to
attend Congress, he was informed that
Washington had been appointed com.
mander-i in-chef of all the armies for the
defence of America. The joy he
telt was universal; and, although it was
asked in Parliament, "Who is George
Washington?' and no answer given,
America was ready with an answer. lie
wasIthe stripping who saved by his heroism
the remnant of Braddock'S army. He
was the young buckskin who taught
British officers how to fight. Parliament
learned ut a later day-tor he was the
general to whom Cornwallis surrendered
himself and army. The question has
never been asked since that time, for,
If there be one name in all our land re-.
vered above all others it is his.
] "HlS lame Wllnln Jnls lanu Is uWellInS,
| His deeds the mountain winds are telling"
Unity OF purpose for the preservation
of liberty gave the fullncss of success,
/ The wrongs done at Boston were resent
ed at Williamsburg. Virginia took upon
her bosom the blow aimed at the heart OF
Massachusetts. Hancock stood by Hen
ry-Henry stood by Hancock. Faneuil
Hall and the House Of Burgesses sound
cd the alarm and called nation to arms
to battle for the rights Of all men of all
nations. The historian has written
with his pen of genius and
truth the struggle the contest,
and the victory. The painter has limned
upon the canvas the faces ofthe martyred
dead, and the poet has anthemned in
melody and song the JOY Of triumph,
softencd BY the sadness and sorrow Of
loss In the words of our historian, they
fulfilled their duty, not from the acci-
dental impulse of the moment their ac-
/ ,;on was the slowly ripeninT fruit of