The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1897-10-20

of an immense crowd. A Thousand
people crowded into Commencement
Hall to listen to the exercises. The
rostrum was occupied by the grand
chorus, distinguished guests and the
speakers The hall was handsome
ly decorated with old gold and blue
and presented n most handsome APP
pearance.
rhe exercises were opened b, the
chorus singing Come Thou Almigh
I ty King" The singing was excep
| tionally fine and the effect on the
audience was quite marked The
superb tones of the Knabe piano
which had been installed on the ros
trum added no little to the inspir.
ing effect.
DR.. Albert Cameron led in prayer
an earnest, eloquent plea for the
blessing of God on the occasion and
ON the institution under whose aus
pieces the celebration was being held
At the conclusion of his prayer
Hon. Geo. C. Sturgiss, president Of
the Board of Regents, delivered the
address of welcome In doing this
he recounted the history of the Uni
versity, it's foundation, the peculiar
circumstances surrounding it when
first begun. Thirty years ago this
University began with six profcs-
sors and hoping for hundred stu
dents. If its first President could
be here this morning and see its
progress and its widened sphere OF
influence he would feel amply repaid
for his labors. Mr. Sturgiss then
paid a glowing tribute to the legisla
ture for its liberality in granting APP
preparations.
The board OF regents then received
its need of merited praise for its ac-
ceptance OF the duties placed upon
it and the way its duties have been
performed Several ofthe most not
able advances made by the board
were recounted. The action in re-
gard to the cadet corps. In this con
nection Mr.. Sturgiss took occasion
to tell the cadets that every promise
made to them would be fulfilled re-
gardless Of what the papers had said
riif regard to the uniforms. 1t has
been reported that uniforms would
not be furnished. Mr. Sturgiss took
pleasure in correcting this misap-
prehcnsion. The improvements in
the various departments of the Uni
versity.
The State Board Of Geology was
then discussed. In giving lis the
board the Legislature has committed
to the University the greatest work
in the development of our magnili-
cent state.
The great achievement of the Uni.
versity in having Congress to estab-
fish mechanical experiment station
here was briefly discussed. This
scheme originated here and has been
the recipient of a great deal of well
merited praise
The Experiment Station was then
spoken of and its workings explained,
the power for good it is to the farm
ers of the state and how high it
stands in the estimate of which it is
held by scientific men.
Mr.. Sturgiss then referred elo-
quently to DR.. Raymond's taking
charge of the University. 1--WE be-
speak for the institution the largest
possible degree of support from you
that it may achieve the magnificent
possibilities which it has. A grand
tribute was then paid to old Monon
gala Academy. Nothing besides my
mother exerted on me a greater influ-
ence than this venerable institution.
Its streams of influence and it glor-
ious deeds will never be fully known
until the judgment day
Rev. F. NJ Woods was then intro
duced by Mr.. Sturgiss in well chosen
words as representative of the old
academy.
Rev. Woods spoke feelingh of the
olden time; how Morgantown had
changed since those days; the ia
miliar faces which had already dis
appeared; the old scenes which had
passed away. The speaker was visi-
bly, affected and the audience was
deeply moved by the sentiments
which his speech aroused. The ref
erence to the war and its effects on
the old boys was particularly pa
thetic.
Turning from the sad side of the
school he spoke of her glorious
achievements. 1--WE are proud o.
her and her work and stand to-day
to remind you that she was the
mother of the University" Aftel
giving a brief sketch of the academy
and its instructors Rev. Woods de
scribed the kind of citizens which
the country needs. Educated Chris
tians are essential to the preserva
tion of our institutions. Learn t.
think, the thoughts of other mer
are not yours. 1t is not great ant
good thoughts but the power o
thinking such thoughts that makes
great men. Think right, not only
think but think right"
think courageously, that princi
pie gave an open bible to The
world and Magma Charta to Eng
land 1t made this united one
At ter vivid description Of what I
man should be he turned to the Uni
versity the worthy daughter of thu
old academy. ITO you, Mr.. Presi
dent, to the. professors, to the stu
dents, in the name of that old mothe
at whose feet we loved to sit II
the name of Rev. j. r. Moore. ",
beg to bid you welcome in this, you
new home. May your influence rol
on and on and as the rivers grow
| from the mountains to the sea, ma
those who go out from you rise VI
always to call you blessed in tn
days that are to come"
| Hon. John w. Mason, cx-Commls
sioner of Internal Revenue, of Fair
mont, was then introduced by Hoi
George G. Strrgiss, as the connecting
link between the academy and tn
University. Mr.. Mason recounte,
the history and struggles of the Yves
Virginia Agricultural college, the linl
between the Academy and the Uni
yersitv. Being teacher in thp cOl