The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-24
Hon. John E. Massey Delivered the Address
at Richmond College.
ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES,
A Humorous Talk Made by Johnny Reb-The
Orator From Kentucky Unable to APP
pear-DeIivery OF Medals.

was appointed on the programme 10 make lue
opening address. and Hon W. G. p. Breckin-
ridge, ofKentucky, was to have followed with
an Grafton but for causes already published,
he did not come, and Mr. Massey yesterday
afternoon was requested to take his place last
evening.
Mr.. MASSEY sPEARs.
When he rose TO speak he said: When | bad
tho honor of being invited 10 take part IN
these exercises 1 looked forward with great
pleasure TO the privilege of introducing 10
you q distinguished orator. and | expected
that you and would enjoy literary feast,
but ! now find myself III differest position
and you have reason to be disappointed.
No one feels II more than ] do and ! am
placed in position where ], more than any
one. need your pity and sympathy. | will try
and occupy his place not I'll IT, that YOU may
not 90 away without hearing something. 1
am totally unprepared 20 deliver an address
such as the occasion demands
Thus Mr..Massey apOOgZed and then pre-
facing his address with an anecdOte IN when
be ikened himself 10 the darkey who held
his masters hat while the master did the
fighting He spoke. for three quarters OF an
hour in very entertaining stvle. lie com,
menced his address 70 the young men aud
looking around said / expected 10 find the
young men in q body before me where could
speak to them collectively, but l find them III
more pleasant surroundings.
COMPLDfENTED TIE GIRLS.
Here Mr.. Massey paid a series Of
compliment 10 the fair creatures perched
beside the young men whom he re-
ferred to in his own inimitabe style,
and then continuing said Coming to
matters of fact the world is waking up 10
the idea that the educated mind Is destined
10 rule the universe This IS one thing we
may we'll congratulate all on who are improy-
ing their minds. The college commencement
j. the commencement Of the Young mans
life. The mistake is often made by those
who sever their connection with their
alma mater that this Is the end
of all they have been striving
for, but bear in mind that this IS only
a preliminary training for after lie ana an
opportunity 10 improve your talents Tor your
future career Always have some object IN
view. some aim IN life. Better nave douDt3
FIJI aim than none at all If in earnest, and
when your eyes are opened, you will be as
vigorous in following the good line as you
were in the one be fore.
Whatever you do have some aim IN view.
ROOM n THE ATTIC.
The professors are crowded on the lower
floor but there Is plenty of room IN the attic.
Determine 20 be the best of whatever you I'M
dertake Aim high and aim from high motives.
Never adopt the motto honesty IS the best
policy Don't be policy man: be an honest
man Do right for rights sake. Don't en-
gage in anything if you can't look on 1t with
the highest sense OF honest pride.
Greatness is q comparative term. and there
is no such thing as greatness without good
ness. There IL no greatness that 10 not based
on the highest moral principles. with the
best lights before you decide what is right
and DO it from n sense of right.
The world will always admire the man who
acts from his honest. CONVICTIONS, lie may
sometimes be mistaken. but if he does what
he believes to be right he need not fear to
face u world.
The highest sentiment have ever known
is that given expression TO by Robert Lee
when he said DUTY is the grandest word IN
the English language IL you act from
high sense Of duty and do what you believe
to be right you need not fear the powers Of
the world. the flesh or the devil. Mans duty
is 10 himself his God and his country. Duties
never conflict If it IS your duty 70 do a
thing it cannot DO your duty TO do something
in conflict with II.
When man does anything not worthy Of iml-
tatiOn by his fellOw-man he has not been dong
his duty. Society is good or bad as tho Iudi-
yidual members make Il. Man III the present
day Is greatly concerned about fealty 70
political party. Always regard party as
means to an end never put yourself under
obligation 10 60 for party right or wrong,
We can never expect better times until we
vote as we pray. ne ADuNo II u lncHbio
SYNOPSIS Of Mr. Masseys pithy address tbs
speech was interluded with strong illustra-
tions and inimitable anecdotes which cannot
be cOmpIehensiyely repOrtedln brief MI. Mas
sey prophesed great strides in education IN
the South, which he pronounced as already
without parallel and wound up his address
with a word picture Of the possibilities OF the
training of the mind ola child. and illustrated
his ideas with ingenious selections.
Johnny RFB
At the close of Mr.. Massey's address he in
troduced Judge F. X. Farrar. of Amelia. by
his nom de plume. johnny Reb." For
half hour Judge Farrar carried the audience
from fun to pathOs and from sad to
gay, and re-established his reputation "a
lecturer by affording on o minute demand
most entertaining pot pourri OF applicable
funny things.
Hon. II. R. Pollard, LII D., Of this city,
delivered the medals, and in brief address
made many valuable suggestions 10 wOuld-De
orators. He impressed his hearers with the
IDEA that any man who appeared before an
intellectual audience without feeling the re-
sponsibility or his position be had more
brass than brains aud more mouth than
manners He warned his young medalists
not to carry their illustrations too far, and
lot 10 make too minute analysis or their sub
jects.
lie told them that dsputation is not de
Date. ana cdlltl on lutlu 10 ltNdlt VI Nlfll-
ing themselves from truth or attempting 70
find merit without a purpose. DR.. Pollards
address was timely and full of the meat OF
oratory, and was fit criticism of the sub
ject
THF AWARDS.
He delivered the medals as follows:
Improvement in debate, philologian, Thos.
Gresham. North Carolina. mu sigma rho. L.
Clagett Skinner. Virginia. best debater Chas.
r. Taylor H. T. Louthan, Virginia; JOINT
writer's medal. W. Owen Carver Tennessee;
Joint orators medal. Francis F. Causey. Viz
giDia
At the close of the exercises the young
people adjourned to the library or the prom
enades and spent a social season.
The Alumni Association address will be de-
liyered tonight by Professor ii. II. Harris.
LID.
The regular final exercises Of the college
proper come of tomorrow night.
The trustees of the college Will meet at
II A. NJ to-day at the college. There Is much
important business coming before the body
in addition 10 the election OF three professors.
Mrs. Dunlop's Funeral.
The funeral Of tho late Mrs. Ann Dunlop,
wife of the late James Dunlop who died Mon
dav evening at the residence OF CAPTAIN T. w
Chamberlayne. 610 Grace street. will take
place from St Paul's church this morning at
III o'clock.
The following gentlemen have been request
ed TO act as pall-bearers. and to meet at 1890