Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-06-18
RICHMOND COLLEGE.
Reunion Of the soeistv OF Alumni Address
of Mr.. Whitley.


The exercises of the college are
moving steadily forward with interest
and profit. Last night large au-
dienee greeted the Society of Alumni,
who gathered in full numbers to enjoS
the reunion and attend to business
matters in which they are interested.
The presiding officer was Professor
William Fayette Fox, principal Of the
Richmond High School. Mr.. Fox,
himself student and teacher of ability,
rejects credit on his alma mater. Rich
mond city, like Richmond College, is
proud Of him. lie is greatly interested
in his Society and makes an excellent
officer.
After prayer by Rev. L. j. Haley,
OF Northampton county, member of
this Society, Mr.. Fox in sitting Ian
guege introduced the orator, Rev. j.
!. Whitley, Of Maryland, formerly of
Virginia.
Mr.. Whitley is very popular gen.
tleman, with host of friends in this
city, and he will leave after this visit
with much larger circle Of admiring
followers than when he came, if that
were possible. Mr.. Whitley has
plain and earnest yet graceful manner,
goodVoice, and such evident sincerity
that he carries his audience with him
easily. Announcing his theme, " Hon.
- i..1 1,f.,aI e, rfl
ing, no matter what the occasion may
be.
He rung the changes on honesty in
private dealing and in public trust
bringing out the censurableness Of riding
ponies at college and of absconding
with bank money, and showing
low they spring from the same
source. Honesty in business was
handled with interest and power.
From this phase of the subject he
passe6on to speak Of honesty in speech.
The ujss Of fourteen who eloped and
fooled lhe preacher by saying she was
over eighteen (the figure Il being in her
shoes) and the youth who told his
father Ae could see through his arithme-
tic (haying punched hole through the
look with nail were duly described
and characterized, to the amusement Of
the crowd and the pointing of moral
lessons,
Euphemisms were touched off with
keen sarcasm and with rich humor. The
speakers hits were capital. Address
ing refined and intelligent audience,
he appealed to them to use honesty Of
speech--calling a spade spade. From
speech he passed into literature, and
eXcoristed the copyist and the plagiarist.
The patient, honest toilerS are the ones
who succeed in the end.
Literary piracy was next treated in
an enjoying way. A man is entitled
to the fruit Of his brain and pen, but
there are men who steal and use and
claim books as theiro which are fresh
from the hand Of another. His last
point was honesty in scientific re-
search.
He gave some striking illustrations
Of honesty and dishonesty among scien-
tiilc mcp. 1t is a disgrace to manhood
to search nature only to find that which
is fine and to bedizen the person.
Striking down the monster which seeks
to injure and betray US, let us rise
superior to dishonesty. The orator,
with well-turned periods, appealed to
his brother-alumni to be manly men
true and truthful, honest and direct.
No fnt: speech has been delivered
before The alumni for long time. So
far il is the one real treat Of the week.
The crowd was greatly pleased and the
speech will long be remembered. Re.
ceiying the heartiest congratulations,
the honored alumnus was made to fee
| the Joy of a return home.
At the close the audience dispersed
to promenade in the Library Hall and
the Society gathered around tables o.
refreshments and joyial chat.
As our report closes the business
meeting is about to begin. The WORK
done will be reported tomorrow.