The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-13
The Distinguished Orator DISCUSSES Many
Important Subjects.
WCE.PRESlDGST ADLAI (. STEVENSON.
The Laitor Makes Few Timely and Weil
Chosen Mceiing of Board
OF sitors-A Iuil List of
tn Graduatca.


iic hall OF the University OF virginia
The hrst ircident was the presentation
~ Ar. J. Spottswood Taylor Of the medal
Tor the best article published curing the
scssion in the University Magazine.
The attendance at to-day exercises was
very large. probably the largest known
on a Similar occasion here for many years
Besides Nice-Prcsident stevenson Dr.
Depew and other distinguished visitors
from a distance, there were many Nisltors
from the various parts Of This state.
Richmond furnished quite large con
tingent most of which were old graduates
Of the institution.
Dis DIEv's ApDErss.
Mr.. Hampson Gary, president OF the
joint meeting. introduced the Hon. Chaun-
cey NJ. Depew, of New York, whose ad-
dress was received with great favor.
Or. Depew opened his address in these
words.
II Is both q happy coincidence and a
hopeful omen that the College appoints
the season OF flowers and fruits ana
promising harvests for its commencement.
A bright and beautiful world, tnfOush
fields and orchards which are again re
peating their contributions 10 the stores
which support life, welcomes these young
reapers 10 their several tasks. III tlo-
quenuy teaches the lesson, that What mas
been. may be- and with the larger ana
surcr returns which science ana knoWleuse
can obtain. The earth IS an Optmlst'
and tells the faint-hearted and despairlng
its annual story, that the oppoI tuilties
for success are more varied ana as great
IN the present as they nave Deeh Ia 'He
past.
Certainly in Virginia. with its record
of unmiNed descent, as long ana clear
as that of any American Commonwealth
k4 Ir. a
doubted The blood and the traditions oI
colonial and revolutionary times are sun
the potential power in the puplc splllt
and private lives OF the people or ms
State Ia no department Of human train
ing and activity are the history ana teach-
ings of the past so important as in an
institution of learning. oxford ana cam
bridge are universities composed OF many
COLLEGES. The graduate carries through
life the diploma of the university; but
his mind and character are moulded ~
has college. Each OF these venerable
schools lndeibly stamps its alumni with
the impress its foundation and develop
ment
DCEN FROM 4 SINGLE FOUNDER.
II is a singular fact that Yale and Har-
ward, and the University of Virginia were
each born from the brain of a single fOun-
der. Elihu Yale and John Harvard
buNded their colleges that the Puritan
pulpit might be supplied with learned
teachers Thomas jefferson projected this
by broad and liberal minded men. In
two hundred and fifty years these two
great New England seats OF learning
have evoluted beyond the dreams, and
possibly the wishes OF their creators. The
orthodox divine. If called from MS ancient
surroundings. and placed on the campus
al Cambridge, amidst its babel Of creeds.
and option of faiths would first be be-
his idea. and then doubt whether its
growth and varied and splendid advan-
tages were not the devices Of the devil,
10 draw students from the higher duties
Of a spiritual life. The Reverend Elihu
Yale, II rcincOrporated under the Cathe-
dral Elms Of New Haven and taken by
a student Of to-day through the depart
ments and schools which so superbly
equip as a University the college he
planted, and through the gymnasium,
the ball-ileid and the boat-house, which
have substituted muscular training for
scholastic retirement. would find some
thing Of the teachings he believed most
important but a freedom Of thought and
action and a selection OF churches by the
student, which might make him doubt.
from his Puritan standpoint whether
saving grace had not been sacrificed 10 |
intellectual development. The trend of |
the mind and the tendency of advancing |
years Is TO enlarge the field Of mental |
activity by breaking down the barriers |
reared by the fathers who distrusted |
liberty. The Puritan restrictions bred re-
bellion. and they have been swept away, |
ambition and indomitabe purpose 10 |
explore and to conquer, are still the |
spirit and hope of Yale and Of Harvard. |
PREDICTIONS OF DISASTER.
When Jefferson founded his university
ipon a theory directly opposite of the IA
nous Puritan ministers and scholars
ipasm Of fear was followed by predic- |
ions Of disaster. We were in the first
iuarter OF the nineteenth century, but |
he seventeenth and the eighteenth still |
,eld religious opinions by the throat.
The results within these halls have been
signal triumph for liberty. The free
om which was 10 sap the foundations
Z belief and send forth inhde youth
o undermine the church and ultimately
stroy society. has proved the bulwark
& church and State. With eager and un-
mpered VIII IL has sought for truth and
lInd IT, Free and enlightened conscience |
I'd trained and fearless judgment work
.g together have wrought out opinions
nd practices in harmony with American |
aith and development.
IRE CITATION OF IHR UNIVERSITY.
There Is nothing more poetic and pa
'euc In the story OF statesmen than the
reatiOn Of the University Of virginia |
he evening and the morning kissed each |
tker, and the mellow splendOr OF the
citing sun prepared the world for the
rilliant light Of the rising orb Of day
he Sage Of Monticello had passed his
lree score years and ten, ard by age
nd eminent service TO his country was
rtitled 10 peace and rest. The author
T the Declaration OF Independence and
be- Father Of the bill for establishing
.NgiOus freedom WashingtOn's Secretary
I State. and Pre~ident of the United
tates for two memorable terms. found
mself when past seventy, hopelessly
lvOlved In financial difficulties The bur
.n would have crushed many a younger
an But JeffersOh rising like the Phoe-
x from the ashes Of his private for
me projected a college, "on a plan
road. liberal. and modern" This noble
undatiOn may not trace It's lineage back
the dark ages and its three-quarters Of
century may seem but span TO OK
rd or Heidelberg. The light OF its
rth is better than centuries OF cropping
wards the dawn II has no rags 10
arm. or Drejudices 10 slough off. The
IN maxim Of the rights OF man
It's father. and his life and career are /
5 Inheritance and inspiration.
TIE AMERICAN EXPERIMENT.
Entil the American experiment, the
rUgf.le for liberty had been almost en-
-ely upon spiritual lines. Nations fought | I
"a civil wars ragged for the supremacy I
dogma The learned few went from {
e universities 10 lead the ignorant Z
ssses 20 life and death contests for I
ctrineS and hectacombs were slain and c
nasties built up and overturned on the G
terDretation OF creeds. Catholics and 7
.lvinists Cavaliers and Puritans took
rms In persecuting each other. or visit 5
< the SupnOsed vengeance OF the AL | -