Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-08-13

Several members followed in enthusiastic
f'speeches. r.
The meeting then adjourned to plac
and time above mentioned.
ADDRESSES IN THE TOWN HALL.
notwithstanding the ram, a very geo(
audience assembled in the Town Hall OF
Tuesday evening the ladies were
out to hear the speeches.
Prof. Miller explained to the audience
that, owing to the illness of Mrs. Fox, wife
of one of the speakers appointed to dis
cuss the question appointed for the even
| ing, the exercises would consist of adj
dresses instead OF the discussion. He
then introduced VIM. E. Craig, ESQ.,, oil
the Staunton bar, who graduated at Roam.
oke College in 1872.
Mr.. Craig began by saying that this as.
semblage reminded him of the past, when
they gathered at Roanoke College to drink
of the waters of knowledge. 1t is pleasure
to pause amid the busy scenes of life and
revert to the memories of Alma Mater, tn Z
birthplace of fondest hopes, highest aspira-
dreams of ambition. From her portals
was taken the first stepinto the busy arena
of active life.q Years had passed since
some present had graduated, time enough
for all to have had the wings of their i'm
agination considerably clipped, and am
bilious dreams disrobed Of their beautiful
drapery Time enough had already passed
to bring about the realization Of the fact
that life is indeed real and earnest-not
all "a level and enchanting plain, but COW
cred with hills and valleys, with rugged
mountains and rough Businesses. And
that strong hearts and steady nerves are
needed to overcome these difficulties.
Should the fond recollections of college
days be forgotten? Should we not profit
10y the example of nations in celebrating
days to keep patriotism alive, or birth days
of great men to stimulate to deeds of glory
and fame? Let us meet to revive associa-
lions of happy bygone hours, rekindle the
love of Aina Mater, and with united eff
forts labor to advance the cause of Roam
oke College Institutions must depend on
the efforts Of their students for success.
And new that Roanoke College has adj
vanced to the front rank among the iiisti-
buttons Of our country, our efforts should
he increased, not relaxed.
HONESTY. avg KS
He then announced as his subject, .'Be
Honest and Energetic in ecery Vocation IN
Lire.'' Honesty is the first principle. of
true and lasting success. A man may, for
while gaia the advantage over his fellow
men by fraud and dishonesty and thus APP.
pear to achieve success; but such a life
will sooner OF later come to shame. Our
country now needs honest men. Few
honest men seek offices. Even this is the
case to some extent in Virginia. We live
in an age noted for its high civilization
rather than for its spotless reputation,
Physicians neglected their patient while
succumbing under disease; lawyers are be-
guiled into dealing unfairly with their
clients; and even the sanity robes of the
ministry are stained by sins Of misplaced
confidence: The idea of making an honest
living seems clothed with more horror
than death on the scaffold. Hence we
hear of defalcations every day. The spirit
of dishonesty and dishonor spoils with its
mildew breath every department of public
and private life. The exaltation of a re-
publican government depends on the NOR
atty of its subjects. At the same time
it opens the road to wealth and to dis
honesty. Men rush on with conscience
dethroned, and sentiment usurping the
place of reason. Sovereign states catch
this spirit and are led into republication of
of honest obligations.
Honesty is not the only element of sue
cess. 1t must be combined with
ENERGY.
and then life will be a success. Honest
mel are often too slow-often too lazy.
While delaying, some designing knave
schemes ahead and takes the prize. An
army may be well equipped, but if undis-
ciplined, it will prove of no avail in a
campaign. So it is with honest men, with
out energy and business capacity. To be
successful in life does not,mean that every
one must be a statesman and occupy
prominent position. Each one who aids
in Kidding our country of the rill of bad
blood flowing in thesvein of the body pol
itic IS successful.
We cannot afford to stand idly by and
see the State drift into ruin. We must
not stand with our faces to the West and
praise the glories Of the sun Of Virginia
past, but face the MONDAY Of the present
and with honest, energetic efforts endeayor
TO made the future even more glorious
than the brilliant record of the past.
But another incentive, which like the
voice from the grave of Achilles, demands
our honest and energetic efforts; we must
guard the past honor of Virginia.
Nothing was more calling to the Romans
in their defeat than the idea of their hav-
ing to be slaves while their ancestors were
masters Of the world So nothing would
make US blush more deeply with shame
than the remembrance that our ancestors
were noted as being the very soul of
honor, should we allow ourselves to be led
to disgrace and shame Virginia has
glorious past and We are now its guardians.
How shah that responsibility b6 met?
With vain-glorious boasts Of what the faith
ers did without emulating their virtues?
We imagine that they, from the sublime ele-
yation of accomplished destiny, look down
upon us struggling. like the giant of myth
illogical story beneath the weight that
is pressing us down. AS high as is their
elevation so low will be our degradation
should the lesson of their lives and light
of their example be unheeded. Let it never
be said that Virginia's great ones all be-
long to the past, and that her mighty
giants have dwindled down to dwarfs.