Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-18
NIGHT SCHOOL ENDS.
Closing Last Evening Of The Virginia
Mechanics Institute.
GOVERNOR MAKES AN ADDRESS.
lie Gives the students Wholesome
Ad,icc-Rev. DIR. Boge Presides-
Certificates and Prizes Awarded
The Successful Contestants.

Mechanics institute Niknt ofh1oi "
Technology were held in the han OF the
Young Mems Christian Association last
evening. A large gathering OF friends
and relatives OF the students was present.
and the exercises. which consisted OF the
awarding OF prizes and diplomas ana an
address by Governor OFerrall we're very
interesting.
Nr w j. WhItehurst president OF Tue
institute. was to have presided. ana was
.xnected TO have made some remarks lie
was unavoiaably absent, however a''
Rev Or. Moses d. Hoge represented mn
An orchestra was located IN ine e"''.', ,,
and dlscoursed sweet music al intervals
throughout the evening ...rs
PROMPTLY AT $50 o'clock the ins'''e'D'9
On ,he institute. headed by the "oNoi"o'
ana Rev. Dr. Hoge. marched mo '''
- ia seated themselves on the fos-
-, mr. Bose opened the proceedings
4. ,eat little address, in which ne eN-
tended "A welcome TO the frlenus o. wv
institution present. Tie hrst set Ioath tn'
objects OF the institution ana men au'
dresginc himself to the students, Vho oC-
.',,.,eJ one side OF the hall, spoke words
OF announcement 10 them.
DIR Moses ID. Hoge. Jr., then deIVefe1
the prizes and diplomas TO the young mn
who were entitled TO them; after when
his father. Rev. DR.. Hoge introducen
Governor O'Ferran whom he character
lied as one who ever respohueu ~ vans
made upon him.
THE GOVERNORS ADDRESS.
The Governor made a most ornate and
thoughtful address, replete with words
m wisdom. and containing much good'
Wholesome advice TO the students. lie
Virginia has her university founded
by her jefferson. which tor more IMAM
three quarters OF century bas Deeh 'ne
nursery Of southern statesmen Winle
from her walls multitudes have gone forth
q, ,ise 10 pinnacles Of fame In literature,
the liberal arts, and many OF the pro
fessions She has her colleges whlch
have sent out myriads to shine win
undlmmed lustre i'm the councils OF the
nation and the field OF letters. she mas
her private schools. which have been as
eidous in training her youth for the
walks Of higher education, ana her pun
tic free schools whose doors have been
throyn wide open 20 all her children
metinc out even-handed justice and re-
warding merit In whatever garb found
HAS SUPPLIED THE WANT.
.Rut Il was reserved for the Virginia
Mechanics Institute TO supply want
which was deeply felt and III vacuum
that all her Institutions had lett' anu !
DEERE now upon the part OF this OLD
commonwealth, and as her Governor, 10
,hank the gentlemen who were instru-
mental in opening here in her capital city
an avenue of practical and useful learn
ing which every young man. almost Wlth-
out money or price, can enter ana upon
terms Of absolute equality contest loT
honors. An institution whose philan-
hot n a
where with difficulty the wolf Is KEPT
from the door natural mental powers lie
dormant which, VI touched by the magic
wand Of the teacher. spring into vigorous
and robust life. and that they should De
aroused and developed for the benent OF
mankind An Institution which holds its
sessions, not In the broad hSht OF uay A.,
when the busy thrOng Is passing 10 anu
fro hut after the days labor IN ONCE,
counting-room. factory, or SHOP IS over
the pen dropped. the hammer lald aSlue,
the music OF the machinery stlileu' anu
the ring Of the anvil hushed' IN tne qu,e'
houre when the earth turning from thc
ann brings night and makes warmer love
AM our hearts, and when even the athels'
half believes a God reigns. an lnsulu-
uon which invites young men TO seek us
rrccircts and avail themselves OF ther
refining Influences. and store their Drains
with knowledge, rather than spehd lnelA
time iu the EilNth lait'i9 ~ N~-'i''''
lettering on the street, idling on the way
side. or allowing their minds TO grow up
with the weeds Of ignorance
ODJECTS OF THE INSTITUTE.
mir. President. 1 read the objects OF
the virginia Mechanics Institute-each
differing as II written in letters OF
gold:
T." The promotion and encouragement OF
manufactures. the mechanic and useful
al social
ment Of the industrial classes
"Nhat a vast field OF thought Is mere
presented How II grows on YOU, broad
ems and expands as you view
and contemplate IT. To cover II or
skim II over even. as a swallow over the
surface Of a meadow. tonight though !
were endowed with the richest guts OF
oratory. would be TO exhaust the kind pa
tIeuce OF this large and respectful au-
lience and tax TO the utterm0st my own
strength. II would be a theme worthy
of the most eloquent tongue in its most
sublime flights OF rhetoric. / possess not
ne one. and l cannot attempt the other.
must confine myself to practical
thoughts expressed in unadorned sen
ences But my words will have the
5avor OF truth, and / trust you Will find
me truth as comfortable in homely Ian
Euage as in fine speech"
Do YOUR DUTY WELL.
The Governor here turned his attention
10 the artisan the builder OF factories
and paid a high tribute TO the de
Votees OF the mechanic and useful arts"
Continuing, he said:
II would rather be perfect in one thing
than a smattcrer in many things.
would rather cultivate one talent TO It's
fullest extent than many talents poorly.
j would rather become master or one
study than devote all my mental energies
70 the making Of my mind vast store
house OF knowledge for my own selfish
gratihcation. In word, | favor spe-
Cialism. for IN my opinion, the specialist,
whether in science. art, mechanisms,
literature. Substantially or one of the
professions, serves his God better and is or
more value 70 mankind than an army
IF men who burn the midnight lamp
and in the solitudes of their own selfish
ness seek for their own pleasure and
enjoyment 10 garner wisdom and hoard
10 Ike the mlser boards his gold.
Let me not be misunderstood, how
ever Let A not be inferred from what
] have said that / do not regard educa-
ton essential IN learning a trade. Just
the reverse. II you find a mechanic
who is "a good workman without education
he would be- a better one with II. What
] have endeavored 10 say is that the
successful and useful man Is the man
with a purpose. and that purpose pure
and noble and useful; for he who is
without a purpose Is like a ship without
a rudder-a waif-nothing-and when his
purpose Is selfish and ne lives for himself
alone when he comes TO die ne will be
his only mourner."
UNIVERSAL EDUCATION.
In glowing terms the speaker referred
20 toe inventors OF the world and TO the
many wonderful things they have ac-
compished. lie then spoke at some
length on the useful arts. and. turning his
attention 10 universal education said:
II favor universal education OF the
children OF all the land. and TO that end.
universal taxation In every State. This.
though would only embrace the usual
commOn-school branches. The Virginia
Mechanics Institute, however does not
rely upon State support. but. with cha
racterlstic independence. II has blazed
it's own course and, unaided by State trl-
butte. IL has undertaken the commendabie
work Of promoting and encouraging the
mental and social Improvement OF that
large and potential element In our body
polite known as the industrial classes.
and who are worthy OF every considera-