The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-07-17

xermal sehsel Instituted.
usVexxsrN0 PROCEEDINGS At THE uSivERs'ry
~ VIRGINIA ADDRESSES pr DR.. HARRISON
am oovxRSoR HOLIDAY.
scerrrspondence Of the Richmond Dspa'cs.l
CBAMorrEsvILLE, July IA, 1880. I.
The normal school at the University OF
Virginia was formally instituted at 6o'c!ock
Yesterday evening by addresses OF welcome
" DR.. j. r. Harrison, chsirman OF the ta-
er;,lfv al the University. and by an address
~ Governor y. w. N. Holiday before the
,ararmb,ed teachers. A large crowd was ID
sfseudance. Governor Holiday said;
ladies and Gentlemeu,- This gathering
a ~ = , common import. The ball In which
~ are now assembled has been nlied many
times before with scholarship, besuty' ana
refinement 10 hear discussion upon nigh
themes and 10 witness Incidents tbat peiong
a the life OF great university; put never
feSore has such an assembly met Within
fhcsc walls. The teachers OF the coiia!en
nod youths Of the state have come togetner
q sAis temple Of learning tnst, dtawinE Ia.
'~niratiou from is atmosphere aud from
rseh other, they may 20 forth again 70 their
.oAIe work with broader views and more
s.seuse enthusiasm to secure It's vast prom
ysf<. - I'D
n the Faculty, 1 bid you most CORDIAL wei
cane! Welcome 10 the seats you now oc'
~nnvi Welcome to the lecfure-rooms,
s,nrsrv. and museumi Welcome TO the
He.,tisul scenes which on every hama sur
rcssnd Won. ballowed by so many sssoc'a-
sinosi welcome 10 the enjoyment and
nrn6t Of those abilities with which. "a pro-
fessors. they are gifted, or which long yesrs
az labor and study have brought them IRON
t. fields OF literature, science, ana art
Wclcome 10 the genius OF the place ana her
Sellshtful fellowship, a. she looks OUT from
fhis Acropolis, crowned win tDat SUCCESS
which belongs only to earnest Devotion, an
with few rivals IN all the DOMAIN on 'eue.
The time seems to have come at last when
<he ardent wish Of the iIlustrious founder OF
Ak University is to be fulfilled, and the
pyramid Of Education, as he designed II. 10
h Gntshed. The teachers OF the children
.re holding counsel In the places whence go
cut accomplished scholar to act their part
IN che cravest az well rs Hottest work tnat
Il hiss ever fallen upon men to do. The
activities that are now prevailing In tue
World have never before been equalled, ana
arr calling for The greatest vigilance ana
lskcr. Education in all Its phases Is forcing
itself into every department and sphere, aud
dena0diug an audience; and whilst hitting
men TO rrappIe with Iife's mysteries, is car
rying ia Its arms the destinles OF both the
State and the republic.
At no former period have the forces OF
nature been evoked into such constant ana
powerful play. Scarcely day passes that
some Of them, hitherto unknown or put
family Acknowledged, is not drawn out ana
subjected to control. Whilst TINS is so. IL Is
equslIy true that at no time has IL been so
hnU l..
roued we are with material forces, whose
tnowledgc is indispensable to our we'll
heipg and growth. Indeed, pressing Us as
they do on every hand, and besetting us at
every turn with new and but lately-hidden
ayencies. Materialisn threatens such abso-
iute empire that we are IN danger OF losing
sj0tt of those moral and religious forces
whose reality Is Just rs certain, and whose
power Is vastly more far.reaching ana vital
70 everything that goes TO make up the TIL
umphs OF human life.
~ hen we reflect upon the individualizing
seodency OF our faith, and the personal cha
rsc,er of its demands, and when We reflect
fusther upon the fact that the welfare and
very destiny OF the State under our forms
Of government depend upon lhe individuals
Who are its citizens, no argument Is required
% show the importance Of education. The
State, approaching this, has sent you forth
throughout its borders that you may teach
the children and the youths those lessons
that will ft them to discharge faithfully aud
we'll the duties Of maturer age; 1t mas en-
dowed this University that 1t may receive
them ut your hands and give them entrance
sute the Ioitiest realms OF culture. Between
yourselves and these professors there Is ana
ouebt to be the sweetest harmony. You
Oull p0mm0n
aim, No more splendid army ever moved
with promise Of greater victory-not with
sspride and circumstance OF war;" but with
those quiet yet potent influences that are to
aould the young by their mild and gentle
sway into heroic men and women-the
pride and glory Of the State.
But alas! In this supreme hour misfor-
tune has come upon us. DR.. Barnas Sears,
one of the leaders in this movement, has
fallen, full OF years and OF good works.
Though anatiye OF distant northern State,
he lived in our midst, endesrlng himself to
us by bis genuine qualities OF head and
heart. advancing the cause OF education, and
helping us 10 lay its foundations broad and
deep. He is not forgotten here and now,
and many are the words OF praise that are
going IN from every part OF our State, min
xaed with sorrow at his death. Prohting by
Ms teaching and example, am sure you
will press with greater zeal and hope to-
wards the contamination Of his and your
exalted aims.
give you cordial greeting in your high
seudeayor. The great numbers IN which
you have gathered from every part OF the
Commonwealth shows the deep interest you
fee, and the earnestness with which you are
lnspired. You have come to bear tribute to
learning and virtue, which have had 80 long
their habitstion here, and, inbalipg their
iife.giying spirit. to carry it TO every home.
Nav this current be perpetual! 1t will do
more than all else to bind us lovingly to-
xesber. and. filing our memory with
thoughts which none ought willingly to let
die, and our hearts with hopes whose fruit
tiea our own strong arm will achieve, Will
snake US as people knowing. honest, and