Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-07-04
MI-CENTENNIAL.
A DAY LONG TO BE REMEMBERED IN
LEXINGTON.
The Gathering Of the Virginia Military In
stitute Alrmui-Tbe Address-A
Grand Banquet-Toasts, &c.
rpecial leIogram 70 the pispatch.l

Especial telegram to the Dispatoh.i
LEXINGTON. VA, July 3.-To-day was
alumni day in the semi-centenniel jubilee
programme- Of the big days. The
morning dawned cloudy and light rain
fell 30 intervals. At 10 A. NJ. the appoint
ed hour for the reiinion Of the alumni, the
chapel Of the Washington and Lee Uni
versity Ckindlv loaned for the occasiOn)
WAS crowded with the old cadets from all
sections of the country, with every class
represented from the founding Of the IN
stitute up. The scenes attendant upon tbs TN
happy occasion were most pleasing. Oh
and dignifed- gentlemen threw their arm
around each other and wept tears OF glad-'
ness at the reiniOn. For III hour the large
auditorium was n perfect hive, and the
scenes of gladness witnessed there VIII
long be a pleasant remembrance TO all who
participated.
PATHETIC INCIDENT.
A pathetic incident occurred az the bar
racks last night. bclatcd train brought
in quite number Of old cadets after mid
night. Among the party there was an en-
thusiastic cadet of thirty years ago VINO
Lad not visited the institute since he left
on the day Of his graduation. In the dark
he plodded 20 the barracks, was passed ny
the guard, and hurriedly ascending the
steps halted in front of the room he O"cu-
pied four long years. He found II IN dark
ness. He was overcome with the rccollec-
tions of the past and sat down and cried
like a child.
Just before the war two classmates
parted here. and in the first battle Of Ma
nassas one Of them captured his old friend
IN the Union army ranks. This IS one OF
the incidents of the reiinion being dis
cussed. Both Of the old cadets are here.
At11:12 o'clock General +. II. Smith. the
Superintendent. took the stand and for ten
minutes the widest enthusiasm prevailed.
The ovation was deafcning.
Colonel Cutshaw called the meeting 70
order. and Rev. II. }. McBryde, d. d..
opened the ceremonies with teryopi
PRAYER.
General Smith then came forward, and
was again accorded an ovation.
THE ADDRESS.
When quiet reigncd he began bis histori-
cal address beginning at the founding ot
the old arsenal. which was the ncstus OF
the present Virginia Military Institute;
The address was written. and consumed
thirtv-hvc minutes IA reading. II was dc-
livered with great force and clearncss, and
was applauded at frequent intervals. The
address treated minutcly the original ldea
20 found the institute aud gave as'fong pen
picture Of the opposition 20 IFS orgauiZa-
in the schools history were reviewed, and
in conclusion contrast was drawn he
tween the N;1-inia Military Institute IN
1899 and the Virginia Military Institute IN
1889. This paper Is "A valuable contribution
to the history Of the institute and forms "a
part of General Smiths last annual report
TO the Board Of Visitors. 1t will be pub
lished.
BUSINESS SESSION.
At the conclusion Of the address the
Alumni Society went into business ses-
sion. which lasted until 6 7. NJ.
A resolution was adopted requesting the
Board of Visitors 10 elect mt once sue
cessor 10 General Smith a. superintendent,
and bv ballot Governor Fitzhugh I.ee was
selected and recommended as General
Smiths successor. Colonel Scott Shipp
and Colonel ". f.. Cutshaw we're ably sup
ported for the position.
A committee was appointed to convey 70
the Board of Visitors this information ana
request Governor Lee to accept the trust.
REVIEW.
Atop. NJ. Governor Lee and Governor
Buckner, of Kentucky, reviewed the corps
of cadets. after which "a sham battle was
fought i'll the presence Of large crowd;
The fight was sharp and hot and elected
the admiration Of all aud stirred the souls
of the old cadets and veterans.
A dress parade followed. and tonight at
$40 o'clock Senator Charles J. Faulkner
delivered the alumni address-a finished
and eloquent effort.
Colonel Edmund Pendleton. of the Glass
of 1912, the oldest living graduate, followed
with the semi-centennial ode, by Mrs.
Margaret J. Preston.
ALUMNI BANQUET.
At 10 =. NJ. the alumni banquet took
place in the mess hall with 1900 covers
The following toasts were responded To:
First. Our Veteran Commonwealth The
eldest in the sisterhood of States, the
ancient and unvarying friend OF constitu-
tional liberty, tried in the crucible OF adj
versitv. she remains pure gold. Governor
FitZhugh Lee
second. The Board of Visitors The
faithful guardians and promoters Of the
interests of the Virginia Military Institute
through fifty wears of successful struggles.
Major +. J. Otey
Third. The Virginia Military Institute:
Our A1n0 Mdifr, conceived and organized
by Virginia contributors. At the close Of
her thirtieth decade she stands AN I'M
perishable monument to the wisdom Of her
| founders and the skill of her builders.
General F. II. Smith.
Fourth. Wasbington-Lee University:
| Our honored elder sister. Born Of ReyO-
lutionary sircs, she has been true to her
| lineage. and with steady hand holds aloof
the beacon of liberty and knowledge. Hon.
J. Il. Tucker.
Fifth. The University Of Virginia and the
| other Collegiate Institutions of the State ::
A bright galaxy IN the educational trma-
mrnt of Virginia. Hon. W. A. Anderson.
Sixth. Our Distinguished Guests from
Other States: We greet them with an old
Virginia welcome. Governor Buckncr, Of
Kentucky
The brilliant affair closed long after mid
night.