The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-30


place AT the Academy last night. under
the able direction OF Mr.. Horace +.
SMITH was distinct success. and was
hiuch enjoyed by the large and fash
lonaoie audience. The programme was
n" excellent combination OF pleasing en-
''' 'aiheis, and from tho first rise OF the
curtain until lis final drop. IL was plainly
IN evidence that the audience were more
than Pleased.
me FIRST number on tho programme
was united States Senator John W. Dan
l'i' Who In brief but eloquent speech
introduced Professor Francis III. Smith.
OF inc University Of Virginia In his
said.
Ladies and Gentlemen Of Richmond:
ron are assembled here I'm the inspira-
tion OF great cause and high purpose
~ your presence tonight YOU show your
appreciation of that institution that Is the
greatest factor in the civilization of this
country. Joncrson's life 50 am sntoi-
icctual triumph. lie lived I'm an age
OF reason. and he made mis- success with
reason lie taught that the great creed
on Tho Declaration Of Independence was
hnefiy ana that Il was the gift Of God
10 man. lie was no orator or soldier.
nut he was even greater. for he solved
inc problem Of local government and
popular education. and he fou-v-s e.
hNcrsitN.' Then Senator Daniel told
how tho famous institution needed imme-
diatc succor. and he went on 10 describe
IN that language that only he can use
how Jefferson made the building Of the
University his lifcs ambition and how
No worked 10 accomplish a..
Continuing. Senator Daniel skctched a
brief outline Of the career OF the Uni
versity lie referred to IT'S high stan
dard. the polished gentlemen who COM
posed its faculty and the code Of honor
WIN which us students were constantly
kept in contact.
~ Tho conclusion Senator Daniel was
greeted with rounds Of applause.
PROFESSOR SMITH.
Following him, Professor Francis II
Smith said.
IL was on a quiet Sunday morning The
bells of the neighhoring city We're ringing
for church, and worshippors were turn
lng their steps 10 the sanctuary. Just
then our rotunda bell rang out. but it
was not as some thought. 10 cali us to
chapel IL was the hrebell. startling.
whether heard 10y day or by night. We
"ofsnipped that day, not 10 the r<lsic
OF organ ana choir, but 20 the cracking
OF names ana the crash of timbers.
A spectator on another planet might
nave thought we were substituting for
fering, III 10 had been so. could we have
placed on the altar anything more pre-
cious?
our rotunda was the most beautiful
thing We had. We had looked on IL day
after day for many years. and always
with admiration. Like AN really great
things. 10 never grew tritc Built with
common materials. IFS form and proper
lions redeemed 10 from plainness and
made IL rich old students. i'm their
travels. saw many larger and cOstlicr
edihcee. but after all the handsome por-
tico and beautiful library-room of the
rotunda were fondly and admiringly rec
mcmberod 10 was the triumph of art
over poverty. of mind over matter
And then. the contents Of these build
ines-the books and paintings and cost
l} apparatus, gathered slowly and pain
fully represented the toll and sacrifice OF
seventy years.
More precious. though. than beauty OF
form or cost OF contents. were the mem
cries that had collected about these
halls Those steps had been trodden by
Sis Presidents of the United States. he
SHINING with Thomas jefferson and
ending with Grover Cleveland. In that
hhrary-room Lafayette had sat as
guest And so had William G. Rivcs
and Benjamin Watkins Leigh. ana Jo-
scph G. Cahcn. and Stevenson. and Hun
ter. and Baldwin aud Stuart. and almost
every distinguished son of Virginia In
recent times.
I'm those plain lecture-rooms great
teachers like BOnnycastle Tucker, far-
rjson, Courtney, and John b. Minor mad
taught The very walls were saturated
with the spirit and nobleness of these
men IL seemed that nothing mean or
unworthy could ever be uttered there.
Truly. there went up TO heaven ir
flame that day an that we had that was
most precious No wonder am old stu-
dent exclaimed. Would God, l had
died before seeing ths.
hut the arc-ben kept ringing. aud
quickly crowds were huryrg 10 the
scene The congregations I'm Charlottes-
Willie broke up. and gallant men has
tened 10 the University to help Even
gentle women were there, shrinking from
uo danger. pressing toward the IRE win
buckets OF water. or bearing of great
armfuls Of books. And our colored
friends came TO the front and did their
best Human calamity levels all social
distinctions and brings out the universal
brotherhood ~ man.
od back. and only when all hope mad
THE STUDENTS
But most conspicuous i'm the throne Of
workers were the students They discov-
cred the fire az the outset. and they were
urst ON the ground. They attacked H.
and fought IL inch 10y inch. They could
not have worked more hravely and ear
uestly had 10 been their fathers house
that was on fire. once a great cheer
was heard from them. They thought
they had triumphed. but IL was "a prena-
ture shout Subhornlv they were fore
"a back and only when all hope had
fed did they turn TO save what they
could OF the contents 10 was surprising
how much they and others did rescue
in so short a time. Nothing seemed TOO
heavy for them. 4 great statue was
lifted and borne safely out on their shout
ders that IL had required derrick ana
whole day 10 set into the room. Dell
cafe and costly APPARATUS was horne IN
their arms through smoke and noise as
safely and carefully mother carries
her child When / think of what those 4
boys did that day, ] say, give me q
thoroughbred for any service.
some good people think mat young
men have dCtenorated. and are not Ike
The youth OF THEN own early days. VINO
knew nothing about cigarettes and loot
BAH and germans. The scenes OF mat
day ~ the University proved that al
least in manhood. in s,lf-forgeuulness' IN
prompt decision and resource OF char-
acter. the young students OF to-day are
not inferior 20 those whom they nave
succeeded. They are worthy SUCCESSORS
OF the men who with Campbell con-
quercd az Kings Mountain, or OF those