Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1897-10-23
INAUGURAL CEREMONIES
At the University Speeches, Music
and Other Features.

week, October g and IA, the exercises
attending the inauguration of Jerome
Hall Raymond, Phi. D., as President
OF the West Virginia University, took
place at Commencement Hall.
Many hundreds Of people from this
and adjoining States attended the ex-
ercises- among whom were numerous
distinguished educators from abroad.
Hon. Geo. c. Sturgiss President of
the Board OF Regents, congratulated
the audience upon the prosperous con-
dition of the University and bright
prospects before it. The school was
established with the birth of West
Virginia. He gave brief history of
the organization of the Agricultural
College, recounted the'U. s. Govern
ment land grant OF nearly a third of
century ago, and told how the first
President. DIR. Alex Martin, with a
corps of only six professors. organized
the school and started the present
magnificent educational institution on
the road of prosperity and usefulness.
Rev. Frank NJ Woods, of Martins
burg, was then introduced aud talked
about ''Menongalia Academy "a
subject dear to many hearts in the
audience Mr. Woods was a student
at the old school over thirty years ago.
"Old Morgantown," he said, "is a
thing of the past. and we stand upou
a new city; a modern Athensi here"
The speaker then went back ito the
good old times" when his memory re-
called many scenes and incidents lin
streets and alleys and he referred
feeliugly to old friends and associates
of his school-boy days. There were
some ripples occasionally, said he,
between citizen and Students" but
the differences were always happily
adjusted. Then came the civil war,
and "the boys were scattered some
left home, kindred and friends and
cast in their lot with the boys in blue;
others donned the gray to fight for
the lost cause. Many students of old
Monongalia Academy, on both sides
of that unnatural conflict, fill honored
graves. Old Monongalia Academy"
said the eloquent speaker. 1--WE are
proud of her memory, and the record
she made in the State. She was a
power in her day-the grandest school
in the State, but today would be hum
BILE in influence, in point of numbers;
but" continued the speaker, 1.-The
humble schools of half century ago
have made possible the larger and
higher colleges of today Education
is the great army in action it is to
develop the moral, religious and ply
steal man as we'll as to develop the
mental faculties alone We need men
of more moral force and deeper relig-
io1s fe cling. The most dangerous
man today is the educated brain void
Of good morals
The speaker adiured the young men
of today to live morally and religious
! ly, BE watchful," said he; "stand
firmly by the new President of this
schoo'; we are co-laborers. To you
young men, let this representative of
old Mouongalia Academy greet you. :"
In the name of the honored and rever-
ed J. R. Moore, he babe them welco ne
to these halls.
= Hon. John w. Mason, of Fairmont,
Commissioner of Internal Revenue,
was then introduced and gavea history
of the merging of old Monongalia Ac-
ademy into the West Virginia Agri-
cultural College.
Thirty years ago." said Mr. Ma
son, 81 heard the last roll call in old
IL WAS the
best school, in its day. west of the
Allegheny mountains. Every room
and every seat has its associations,
and the closing of its doors was
personal sorrow to all old students. =
For half century she sowed the good
seed. Now we all hail the new col
lege and wish it God speed.
Much is to be done. We have in
vited young man here to educate
our boys. Let us stand by him and
see that he is upheld
DR. Raymond, the recently chosen
president, having taken the oath OF
office, was introduced and said:
Thirty years ago, another scholar Of
high ideals and noble character, stood
before smaller, though no less en-