Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-12-02
COZ, WILLIAM ALLEN.

4 TRIBUTE IN VERSE TO HIS MEmoR1 q ~
MARGARET j. PRESTON.
A bust of Col, William Allen, first principal
of NcDonogh School. was unveiled In balu-s
more. Nov. 2lst. Little Josepha Allen, daugn.
ter of the Colonel, drew the coverings from the
bust. The bust is the work of Sculptor Valen-
tine, of Richmond, Virginia. and was present.
ed the institution by the alumni. professor
Sumwait read poem composed for the occa-
sion by Mrs. Margaret J. Preston. 1t is as loi-
lows:
Withdrew the veil that hides his brow,
While with reverence sad and tender.
We who have loved him gather now
The tribute of that love to render.
How calmly seem those eyes to cast
Their gaze of kindly welcome DER US.
Just as benignant as when last
He sat serene in life before us!
Those lips whose every uttered word
Held something in it so caressing,
That If rebuke was ever heard
Its accent took the tone of blessing
Those lips that taught us how to strive
With brave, high>hearted, pure endeavor-
How can we bear to think they'll give
Counsel and help no more forever?
Rare marble! May Its scuIptured grace
Still keep his potent presence near us.
AS when In by.gone, happier days.
The genial face was here to cheer us.
But character can never die;
And influence lofty, sweet, supernal,
Like stars that stud the midnight sky,
Is quenchless with light eternal.
Therefore to-day we shed no tear
Because we miss his living presence
Do we not feel among us here
His subtler, all-pervading essence?
We own each hour his ordered rule,
Though change and time have SO bereft us;
What hand could mold McDonogh School;
Without the pattern he has left us.
No Raphael canvas did he use,
For some ideal thought to follow
No Parian marble did he choose,
From which to sculpture his Apollo.
Far nobler was his patient art
Far loftier his supreme endeavor-
To grave on boyhood's plastic heart
Those living lines that last foreverI
To stamp on each aspiring soul
such steadfast loyalty to duty,
That right and truth should round the whole
And goodness wear the charm of beauty.
To train and spur the laggard mind
To honor, action. self-reliance.
That leaves all petty aims behind
And meets temptation with defiance
To find true work pride and JOY
To make as its attained fruition,
The title of "McDonogh boy"
A passport to all high position
This was the toll at which he wrought.
ncfoo CT for
What purer motive-kindlier thought
Gould fill the measure of his being?
We who have known his generous worth,
And learned the priceless lessons given.
That fit us for the life on earth.
And train us for the life of heaven.
Thank God that still his work remains:
No tine nor chance can sever from US
The past so perfect in It's range.
The future SO replete with promise.
Boys of McDonogh! each who owns
The pathos of this life's pure story,
Remember. ye are living stones
Set in the temple of his glory
A Parthenon the noblest, where
Young hearts, whose faith must never faltel
Send incense rich with praise and prayer,
Each morning from hallowed altar.
Need we within such precincts rear
Some consecrate, memorial column,
And on 1t carve the name so dear,
With benediction sweet and solemn?
Nayi with Sir Christopher we may
Amid the memories that have crowned us
Most proudly "circumspice!" say,
His monument is all aroud us!
Charles Day Lanier. Of the class OF 49, and
son of the Poet Lanier, made the presentatio
address. The trustees present were Measr
Samuel Fl. Tagart, president; Judge WilliaI
A. Stewart, D. L. Bortlett. German II. Hun
z. 6. Hipsley. Mrs. Elizabeth P. Allen We
present