Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-16
MIR. WILSON'S ADDRESS.
The Growth Of Observation-Disclosures
in Our Higher Institutions


Mr.. Wilson said: Mr.. Rector, Gentlemen
of the Board of Trustees, Ladies. ana
Gentlemen,-I may well leave TO the older
and better soldiers, who have spoken with
the prestige of success already won, the
more instructive discussions appropriate
TO this occasion: but / cannot begin my
own remarks without expressing the
thanks of this university, and of all con-
nected with it to the representatives OF
other colleges who cheer US by their
presence to-day. We miss some we had
expected TO have with us. We especially
regret that sickness mas Kept away the
head of that venerable institution To
which we are bound by so many ties of
obligation in the days that are past.
We remember that Johns Hopkins in
cluded the youth Of this State among
the perpetual beneiiciaries of his trust
and we welcome the president who in
the administration of that trust, brought
into existence a university already rank
ing among the foremost of the world
whose tWenty-one years of educational
activity has done so much to elevate
American scholarship through teachers
it has given 10 other institutions, our
own among the number.
We greet the chancellor of Vanderbilt
as one with ourselves in heart and hope
i'm the effort to elevate the standard Of
warmly welcome all others who come TO
blend their good wishes with those of
trustees, alumni, faculty, and friends for
the growth and greatness OF our school.
There are, and from the history of this
institution there can be- no local or sec
tartan limitations 10 our greeting Born
OF the piety and love OF education which
marked the first settlers. this school en-
Joyed the friendship, and at the time the
official patronage of the Church to which
they were so strongly attached. II can
never forget that obligation and IL has
endeaVored 10 repay IL by educating some
OF the greatest men in its annals of that
Church. But later friends and benefac
tors have been limited to no denomina-
ton, and as these memorial portraits
snow, 10 no section of our country
Through all its existence, as Augusta or
Liberty Hall or Washington Academy,
as Washington College and as Washins,
ton and Lee University, it has iustifed
every friendship and shown itself worthy
OF every benefaction.
The first settlers. who, in the middle Of
the last century. swarmed into this rich
valley, were men of heroic mould. Conn
trymen and coreligionists Of John Knox
they had the unpliable spirit and the
stern faith of the Covenanter with All
his buoyant pugnacity. If, as they felled
the forests, they built the church and tba
school-house, they always kent their
powder dry and their rifles ready for use
Truly, that Is memorable roll which
has been preserved Of their sons trained
In the old academy, as they dignifed the
log house In which Alexander and Brown
and Graham taught in the years befora
the Revolution. OF fifty-two names re-
scued from oblivion. twenty-five were
soldiers of the continental armies and
sixteen were soldiers OF the Church. ali
stout warriors in their fields of service
Who can doubt that Washington in EN-
dowing Liberty Hall Academy with funds
voted him by Virginia for his own Revo.
Iutionary services, was moved to that Sc
lection by the memory of CampbejI who
had led the rfiemen OF Virginia ana tha
Carolinas up the flaming sides of kings
Mountain, and lighted with a brightness
never more to wane the darkest hour Of
me struggle; or Preston, the Breckin-
ridges and Stuart: Of the 1ates and Ma
thews and Wilson, and Others eo,'ad,,
worthy OF mention, who had foupb, %,
Kings Mountain, fallen at CuiIford ~
served under his own eyes at Yorlto,,,a
But these log school-house graduares
became not only soldiers and preachers.
fourteen OF them sat in the Stale feeis,
lature; six In the convention Mar rati-
fied the Federal Constitution. and when
the new government was organized three
became members OF the House OF Renreo
sentatives. four OF the Senate ona cot
In Jefferson's Cabinet and one wac Min
lister to France. And Governor of C;eor-
gia and three college presidents must be
Nor does. the roll Of honor cease with
that generation OF pupils. Students OF
later generations have risen to the bench
of the United States Supreme Court and
OF the highest courts OF many States.
Congress-: filed many governors chairs:
many great pulpits and teachers desks:
and in every high field OF human action
served their God and their country and
their fellow-men with faithfulness and
I dwell upon these facts, especially on
the splendid array of early excellence. for
two reasons There Is z strength fnr a