Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-07-11
Commencement at the University OF
V1rpInia

| OVMu1CuCSucQL dC LIS OulV6lo1ty Va
Virginia.
The Finals of the University took place
last week. DR.. Hoge addressed the Young
Mems Christian Association Sunday even
ing and preached an able sermon. On Mon
day and Tuesday occurred the celebration
OF the two literary societies, before Which
Hon. E. M. Hammond of Florida, deliver
ed the Grafton ON the last named day. Or
Wednesday, Final Day, the diplomas were
delivered and degrees conferred, and thu
annual address before the Alumni Associa
ton was made by Hon. James L. Gordor
of Charlottesville, who is a brother of Mr.
A. G. Gordon of this city.
Mr.. Gordon surpassed the high expecta
lions of his friends, and delivered an adj
dress which was timely, finely conceived
and effectively spoken. He made decided
hit on an occasion when success is hard tt
win, and held the undivided attention Of
his large audience from start to finish. His
subject was the corruption of the elective
franchise by the use of money.
Among other things Mr.. Gordon paid 8
tribute to the memory of H. W. Grady
and after quoting from his speech at the
University. last year, said: ''Sir, the lips
that spake thus are mute forever, but the
truths they told endure. The morning stal
of the new South has vanished from the
skies of time, but for us, as was said OF
Aster in the Greek anthology, he shines as
Hesperus, a star amid the dead. The radi-
ance of his life is all around us. and his
voice is yet eloquent to lead into the paths
of duty those that have ears to hear, and
with reverent heart, and in loving memory,
and with a sense of their meaning deepened
and consecrated by his early death, echo
here ON the spot where they were spoken the
love-inspired words of Georgias glorious
son."
In conclusion he said: eff through flu
ture years of feverish debauchment OF the
most sacred and fundamental Of its princi-
pies the American Republic shall continue
to hold it's place among the nations, then
on this western continent will have been
reversed all the experiences of men, and all
the oracles of God.
"There is but one way to preserve our
heritage, and that is by hedging the Amer
lean ballot around with such sentiment
as shall make it the one thing on the earth
that not even money shall have value
enough to buy; by keeping the crown and
scepter of the noblest sovereignty given
among men unspotted from the world.
1t may not ever be our generation's fate to
shed it's blood Oh spend its lives on fields
where glorious records leap to light and
shine in the sudden making of splendid
names, we may not, as our fathers did,
feel the heart leap responsive to the voice Of
freedom through the battle cheering on ht I
sons; Whatever sacrifices we may be call
ed upon to make for her must doubtless
all be made by the still waters and in fielCs
thick studded with the calm, white tents
Of peace; yet, after all, the most enduring
victories of man-thOse which have been
followed by most of blessing and benefit to
humanity-have neither been wrested from
the pageantrY of war, nor won amid the
defamation of popular senates. The shop
of the mechanic, the store OF the merchant,
the field Of the farmer, simple and humble
homes of the toiling millions, these are the
bloOdless fields where the battle for the
preservation Of our system must be fought;
these are the legislative halls where de-
cisive vote between the greed of gain and
the passion of patriotism must seal our
common destiny; these are the unbannered
lists where since time began, liberty hath
made her most heroic and enduring strug-
gle, and where the ceaseless warfare must
go on until the dawning of that day seen
afar off in the apocalyptic vision when the
Lamb of God shall take the sins of the
world away.
Therefore my countrymen if Henry
Grady S splendid dream be true that on our
soil the hand of God hath sown the seed of
his millennial harvest, although our mortal
eyes may see not when the seeds are garner
ed home, oh, surely those who have fallowed
these fields for his glory by setting virtue
higher than power and loving liberty more
than lust shall answer, Lord, here am I,
when the eternal muster roll is called"
Judge James Thornton of California,
was elected alumni orator for 1891.