The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-07-06

mechanics Of human life. This proposition
was overlooked or dimly seen by. our age.
Historical generalization was difficult, and
required a great range of observation ard
careful analysis 1t was hard TO say that any
one tendency or idea isthe dominant Influence
in anv particular period Of civilization but
It is safe to say that our age has less faith IN
character than in mechanism. s,.e.. ~ g.
Carlyle charactcrizes our time not as de.
votional or philosophical, heroical or moral,
but as essentially mechanical--the reason
being the wonderful success in machinery
and physical Notwithstanding pro-
cesses-doing work hundred times faster
and without fatigue thus producing 1mpa-
,ience Of siowness and impatience OF LABOR
tending to apply machinery to accomplish
ends in the domain OF the mental and moral.
Thus we have educational mechanics, me-
chanical cnntrivances for developing mind.
short cuts 10 knowledge ending in haste and
EMPTINESS. By reason Of the mechanical
theory of education it comes to pass that
the good ventilation and working appa-
ratus and material condition Of col
lese are the prominent considerations
and elements Of success; and age, dig
nifty. historic past, and the inspiration OF
great names on the part of the alumni arc
but little regarded. The mechanical genius
of the time is invading the domiin of poll
tics; the politician Of to-day is not the
proved thinker and student of constitutions
and laws, but the mqnipulttor Of party ma
chincry, or upon the principle that govern
ment is 4 business transaction involving only
money, machinery. SC. The same princi-
pie exists in religion churches becoming
religions machines. This mechanical the
orv of salvation Is not new IN the
Christian Church, but Us old as the third cen.
tury; but il was not the way Christianity
arose and was spread abroad 10 the world.
1t grew not by institutions and mechanism,
but By heart working on heartily fire
kindling from individual understand it
must be so al ways. "Not by might or power.
but BY my spirit" saith the Lord. He illus
trated the proposition Of supremacy of cha
racter and faith on character in determining
the question Of material prosperity by stating
character TO be the basis Of the financial sys-
tenn Of the modern world-a financial panic
but a loss Of faith in the character OF the
people who take our money and give us pro-
misses 10 pay. One corporation working
badly or dishonesty engenders suspicious OF
all others and loss Of faith in promises to
DAY. There was a difference in the wealth
of the ancient and modern world. A
rich Roman had nothing invested in faith
In bis feliow-men; he had his possessions in
his own bands; they were gold, horses, cat.
tie. slaves, farms, Sc. A modern capitalist
has everything invested in faith, ia character,
and integrity, in promises by railroad and
back corporations, &C., to pay. High civili-
z,tion was impossible under the ancient syS-
TEN because money was idle, but possible in
the new because it ia at work building rail-
roads and tunnelliEg mountaiHs. A money
panic was impossible under the old system,
the rich had nothing to fear except from in
vasion or robbery; but possible in the mo-
dern system, based upon faith in the intell.
gence and fidelity and honesty Of the corpo'
rations to whom we lend our money. The
fortunes of millions are the promises of these
corporations TO pay. Ii the millions lose faith
in these corporations, and imagine that they
are working uSele>sly, or badly, or dishon-
estly, you have panic, and all its attendant
ruin and paralysis to the material interests Of
the country.
Our paper.money is only "a spiritual SYM
bo-its worth no; material but moral ; It's
sole value is the faith we put in the promises
Of our falIow.mcn and the question whether
they will redeem these promises is ut least
question Of character. So that which seems
10 US most materili rests on moral and
spiritual foundations.
Faith in character is the salvation and edu-
Gator of nations: the character Of rulers,
not their genius the inspiration and ground
OF confidence to the people. II is the memo.
ry of character that abides in nations
heart, and he illustrated it by historical ref
erencps TO General Robert +. Lee and Queen
Elizabeth, Elizabeth was misunderstood,
aud Judged by the lighter elements OF her
character.
CARLYLE and kingsly believe her beautiful
in the higher beauty OF expression; her
greatness was in her character. With the
heart of a lione>s to meet England'S foes, her
character won victory for English law and
liberty.
The greatness Of General Lee was not in.
telIectu,l-but force and soundnesS OF char-
ac,er: the greatness of simplicity-ot deep,
purc devotion to duty; the greatness oil a
Christian gentleman placed so high up that
the world was bound to see it as the noblest
of all GODS works in this lower land. This
principle was illustrated in the propagation
of Christianity. Christian teachers with &C.
nius. but without character, end their career
in failure and emptiness. Character and
doctrine must 60 together, and character
FIRST.
Last. it is to character that we owe all the
truth that comes down 10 Us from the past.
The simplest authentic truths Of geography,
&c. we teach our children are the fruits oil
to,l and knowl: DE from loving hearts that
have long ceased to beat. They were poor
and ottentimes scoffed at by the world, but
"they sought after wisdom aud lifted up
their voices after understanding, and their
search was not in vain."
The best way to honor the mothers that
brought lis into the world, or the Alma Ma
ter which trained us for life, is TO reform
onrseIyes-to hold on to our manliness, our
hope, and our faith in that which is noble in
life. .
OTHER SPEECHES.
At the call of the audience Hon. John
Goode then took the stand, and delivered a
short address. He congratulated the Asso-
citation upon the close OF session winch has
added so much to the honor Of the college.
Colonel William Lamb, in answer to loud
calls, also responded, and alluded IN touch.
ing tones to the past OF the college, anu
earnestly advised the students to 60 on and
persevere in the good work. he PAID
glowing tribute to the women of Williams
burg, and said the poiteness and refinement
of The students OF his age were due in very
great measure to their Influence. From the
appearance aud reputation of those before
him he felt this refining agency had under
gone no change, and the student OF William
aud Mary, whilst improving his mind, be.
came correspondingiy improved In heart
and social virtues. General Wise being
called, also addressed the audience. He said
though the college 10 Der palmiest days had