The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-06-30
Especially reported for the DispatchJ -:
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA. !.
-
Opening Of Commencement Week:
WASHINGTON SOCIETY
CELEBRATION.
THE UNIVERSITY DURING FIFTY
YEARS.
I's,vyRsrrY op VIRGINIA. June 30, 1876.

YEARS.
I.s1vgRsrrY op VIRGINIA. June 20, 1876.
Commencement week and seml-centennla'
mems grsndly at the University. ibp
srouud. are more beautiful than have eve
seen them land surely the sun does mol
shine on more lovely landscape than fhis);
the crowd Of visitors IS already much larger
than usual, and large numbers are pouring
in bv every tralo; the arrangements for en.
tcriaining "yisiting alumni " and invited
guests are admirable, and everything be-
tokens 4 brilliant success. .'t. eas'hI1'
THE WASHINGTON SOCIETY r; .,g.;.. ..
had its final celebration tonight 10 the Pub
lie Hail, which was crowded with the dig
nity, wisdom, youth, grace, and beauty
which these occasions always briug together
gl the University. .sa .o
Ater the usual preliminari's, during
which Webber's band, from Washington
nsde very sweet music, and the bellies anC
beaux beoun the chatter whichthey proposed
10 keep up sill through the exercises, Rev
/. A. Steele, chHpsan Of the University
made an appropriate prayer, and the presl
dent OF the Society (Benjimin Johnson, o
West Virgina,) made tew introductory re
marks. He alluded TO the briliiancy OF tht
scene before him and to the occasion OF tht
seni-centennial celebration, and bade the au
dience a cordial welcome.
He introduced as the orator of the day
Mr.. Henry G.. Start, of Saltville, va, q
nephew OF the flower of chiTalry," >. +
Il. Stuart,) who was greeted with loud ap
plause and q number Of bouquets. ,,..,.l...-l
lie begun with graceful allr sion to the
dignity of the occasion and ID the older
alumni, who come as bright LINKS between
the past and the present to crown Alma
Mater With honor. He said that the younger
IONS should not he silent on this grand oc.
casion. but should speak forth their flial
love and patriotic devotion. ..-s. a..
AS the nation stands on the eve of the
centennial that Is 10 celebrate Jefersop's FIRST
great gift to the nation tthe Declaration of
independence, so this srmi-centennal is to
celebrate his second gift-the University OF
Virginia f..
lie recalled some lessons appropriate to
the occasion, and announced as bis theme
Hannibal's words of cheer to his troops when
toiling up the steep aBd rugged noun ain
Beyond the alps hes Italy," BE yividly
sketched the lie of Hannibal-his VOW, his
overcoming every obstacle, bis passage oi
the AlpS-and brought out the circumstances
of these stirring words. He painted the
beauties of Italy as it appeared to Hannibal
and his followers, used 1t TO illustrate the
ideal land-tbe world Of nind-Which
spreads out before young Americans, and
eloquently eXhorted them to go up and pos
sess the land. He pointed out the obstacles
10 literary pursuits, and urged that every
etfor. be msde to overcome them. The
knn fn oil
and refine her, and be held up the elders OF
the alumni as examples Of what can be done.
he closed with an eloquent appeal to each
noble youth to register on these classic walls
avow that be will walk in The footsteps Of
his elder brothers and work earnestly for his
couptry's veal. r. 9-.s-lts- .st t's s.4-l@'
The speech was sensible, chaste, well de-
tivered, aud singularly free from g ap-trap.
Ugh satisfaction to the audience.
The President. in very brief and appropri-
tie terms, then presented the medal awarded
lie best debater TO Mr.. Charles Nicol, Of
Hnee William county IA student at Rich
riopd College year before last). Mr. NicoPs
response was sensible and Ia good taste.
rregret that your limited space and my.
dsire TO have as much semi-centennial'
llstter as possible prevent me from giving
10y report of these excellent speeches, which,
we're both ereditable to the Society and to
tie young ersters, and amply vindicated the;
H!sdom of the newly-iuaugurated' planNby
Which these society honors are awarded by
u committee of the faculty instead OF by the
'tte Of the societies. st-o2 >
There was the usual music aud prone
siding on the dawn, and the .pro!eSsors kept,
open house" ........,s.x
But I promised you "semi-centenpiar
antter, and bspe compiled fpom authentic
,turces the following sketch Of the, ,n4sf,,.,,,
q lGIS AND HISTORY. OF THE CsuyERsITy, :, OF
VIRGINIA.
Thomas Jefferson was guiltyfcf no impro.
pd assumption when be wrote asshjs oWn1
el&aph: "Authay Of the Declaration Of
Aserlcan Independence, of the Statute Of
Ntgipia Tor Religious Freedom, and Father
~'t The University OF Virginia. 1t was uu.
= tstiouably the product offhis fertile brain,
-.4 result othis uniriag energy, the childlofI
Hold age, and Of bis warmesti Injections. |
~ early as 1879, amidst the desolation OF
TX Revolution, Mr. Jefferson and his eo-l
v FAers, Pend!eton apd Wythe, ssught to
n{Eqorate into the Code OF. the infant State
4 Stem ofedncations sHliGh should meet the
ibs al all classes, embracing: /. Esalsea-
u ssliootS, to beFmaiBta;ned at the public
Ai lense and TO be free TO az. 2. Asystein
al:acemies and colleges which should t,e.
2st 1s<s 10 some extent by &he State, ha.s
"pp4t rtsa :chiefy by the teas of :pn-
II. 49,: Il untuGfStty iG which .tsboulG
e tlught in The very higltsst de9res Il
vty II sneh OF knowledge, whether calcu-
led 10 urieh, stimulate, and adorp, the ur.
standing, or to be useful In the arts and
!actical bUsinsfs OF life, The piaE .Rass TO
ass the University supported by much
!eer contributions Gog ztbe State Trea-
4ty. The Virginia Legislature did no! even
,hSider The plan until 1896, end then adopt
Il in modified form, and 80 incumbered
th proyisos That nothing came Of Il. Jei.t ,
son BECAME SO absorbed in national affairs t.
1. he had DO time 10 give to State ipolicys in
L interests OF education sadly suffered |; .
: schools and colleges then la existence Y
-ea as old WiIlisra and Mafy, Washington II
'i!sse, and Hampden.Sidney) declined, and lib
w Virginia youths sought Eedpeation1