Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-07-10

bu0 UOhclb anu npCdA0ISs
Among the distinguished guests at the
Institute were Governor Lee, who in part
had official relations to fill in the closing
exercises, and Governor Buckner, of Ken
lucky. During the afternoon, escorted by
the Superintendent, they reviewed the
Battalion of cadets, and Governor Buckner
was present at the banquet, but Governor
Lee was not. The recent death of his
brother was the cause of his absence and SO
explained. Col. Cutshaw announced the
set toasts commencing with that to the
Commonwealth Of Virginia. In the abb
sence of Governor Lee, Hon. Marshall
Hanger, of Staunton, a member of the
Board Of Visitors, was called to respond.
This he did in handsome style, and as
most worthy son of the Old Mother OF
States. Hon. S. II. Letcher, President OF
the Board of Visitors, graces the Office so
long filled by his illustrious father, the late
Governor Letcher. He won new laurels IN
his response to the toast in honor OF the
Board of Visitors.
To the sentiments in honor of Washing
ton s. Lee University, and the University
of Virginia, Hon. Jno. R. Tucker re-
sponded to the former, and Hon. VIM. A.
Anderson to the latter, both entertaining
the vast assemblage in their happiest man
ner. For the distinguished guests of other
States Governor Buckner, of Kentucky, re-
sponded in happily arranged and highly
applauded address.
After the regular speeches were delivered,
several other gentlemen were called out,
among them Hon. Jno. s. Wise whose
sentiments and utte1ances were models OF
good taste, and breathed holy love for
the Institute he would ever delight to
honor and cherish in his affections.
GRADUATING DAY.
The Alumni figured in the exercises of
the graduating or closing day in the same
degree of interest and in appropriate parts
as they had in the preceding Gays. There
were a number of incidents in connection
with this day that enrich the history of the
Institute and will never be forgotten by
those who were present.
The battalion under Colonel Ship formed
upon the parade ground and in two ranks
the Alumni Joined the marching column to
the Chapel where the cadets of the gradu-
ating class were to receive their final dis
| tinctions.
The opening prayer was offered by the
Rev. DIR. Williams of Baltimore, a dis.
tinguished graduate of the Institute many
years ago.
The names of the members Of the gradu-
ating class were announced in the order of
merit by General Smith and each received
diploma from his hands. That ceremony
was prefaced by an introduction from the
Superintendent.
The names of the four most distinguished
of the class were also announced. The
special honor of the annual graduation-the
two Jackson-Hope medals-were then con-
ferred upon them by his Excellency, Gov
ernor Lee, whose introduction of the honor
he was vested with authority to bestow was
characterized by that comprehensive grasp
aud rhetorical touch he so often imparts to
themes on such an occasion, with the
memories and historical references they
suggest to his fertile and cultured mind.
| THE CLASS.
Following are the names of the members
of the graduating class recorded in the
order of class Standing
W. N. Hamlet, Va; F. Mallory, Va;
S. D. Rockenbach, Va; Fl. G. Ford, Va;
W. H. Barksdale, Va; E. B. Jones, Va;
W. A. Irvine, Va; W. II. It. Loyal, Va;
R. ]. A. Mason, KY; Fl. 3. Baker, Va;
R. N. Cordell, Mo-; W. A. Moncure, Va;
J. W. Pond, Va; A. MEG. Sehon, Va;
s. H. Adams, Va; J. 1. Middleton, Md. ;
P R. Meddlemiss, La; J. R. bowman,
Va; J. M. lizard, Texas; N. G. Starke,
Va.
Hamlet, Mallory, Rockenbach and Ford
are the four distinguished graduates; Ham,
| lett and Mallory we're awarded the jackson
Hope Medals.
EARLY HISTORY OF THE INsTITUTE-ITs
| ORIGIN.
The public are more or less familiar with
the articles discussing the question OF
superseding the garrison of regulars on
duty at the Lexington Arsenal-the re-
pository of the arms of the State at that
point, These communications signed
Selves" were published in the Lexington
Gazette in 1885. Colonel ]. T. L. Preston,
then young member of the Lexington
bar, was the author. The intervening
] history till the establishment of the Vir
ginia Military Institute in November 1889
is likewise remembered.
The present Board of Visitors, in view
5 of the Semi-Centennial, requested Colone
Preston to prepare sketch Of that Earl,
History" which he did. His eldest son
Rev. T. L. Preston, D. D., was chosen Il
read it. No further reference will be mad,
here, because it would be impossible to d,
SO without detracting from its accuracy il
recording events and elegance of expires
sion, the prophetic conclusions it record
, and the sublime tribute it renders the frs
Board of Visitors in their choice of tn,
now veuerated Superintendent to whom th,
destinies of the Institute were committed
All this will come in the volume to be pre-
pared of this eventful Semi-C entennial.
A CHAPTER IN CADET HISTORY.
Upon the table on the stand was OBJ
served fields glass resting upon severa
pages of manuscript. Enquiry in thu
audience, as one person would ask anothe
the meaning, developed DO information
General Smith in few words of intro
duction read q letter from General John D
Imboden, now at Abingdon, addressed tt
i IL I'll. 20 IL. a.,