The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1897-06-26
ANNUAL ADDRESS
To Graduating Class of Benwood
Schools.
REPLETE WITH GOOD ADVICE
Prof. Brown, of Morgantown. Speaks
Of West Virginia, Her People and her
Prospects-West Virginia Promised
Land if Developed, and Her Sons
urged to reap the Benefits OF Her an
told Wealth.

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urged to reap the Benefits OF Her nm.
told Wealth.
The annual address to the gradual
ting class of theBenwood public schools
was delivered by Prof S. b. Brown, OF
the chair Of geology, West Virginia
University. His theme was "West
Virginia, Her People and Her Pros.
pects." 1t was the most mastery adj
dress ever heard in Benwood, and the
large audience was delighted beyond
expression.
Prof. G. NJ. Ford, principal of the
school presided.
Prof. Browns address throughout
was inspiring to all West Virginians
who love their state. 1t was an APP
peal especially to the youth of West
Virginia, to stay within the borders OF
their State and develop its resources,
and to fit themselves for such develop
ment, because there is no field so
promising of fortune as the opening
of the coal beds and lumber lands,
with which this state is so literally
endowed. The address was replete
with interesting sketches of history
pertaining to West Virginia, and
contained fund of practical sugges-
ton.
He reviewed the early settlement of
the state, relating the many hardships
undergone by the sturdy pioneers, who
crossed what is known as the border
line between the New Dominion and
the mother state, that they might find
new homes for themselves and fami-
lies. The part played by those pio-
neers in the revolutionary war was
Interestingly brought out, and under
the speakers eloquent treatment,
Shepherdstown and the old towns of
the eastern Pan Handle teemed with
historic lore.
Speaking of the revolution, he said:
at is somewhat remarkable that the
present territory of West Virginia gave
to the revolution, three generals, who
lived within ten miles of each other
Generals Charles Lee, Adam Stephens
and Horatio Gates. All achieved dis
tinction, all were violent enemies of
Washington, and left the army in bad
repute.
In laudation Of the bravery exhibit
ted by the early settlers, Prof Brown
instanced the fact that Shepherds
town furnished the first volunteer
company that walked into Boston
common, from the territory lying
south of the Potomac. He also told
of the religious antipathies then exist
ing, and of the curious customs and
laws, happily now obsolete. Interest
ing to the audience also, was the not
generally known, but nevertheless
true statement that James Rumsey
West Virginian, was the inventor of
the steamboat, for which Robert Full
ton, who had known Rnmsey and
gained knowledge of his models, gets
the credit.
Very interesting and instructive
was the speakers description of the
gradual settlement of West Virginia
from its starting point, the Blue
Ridge Mountains, until its westward
trend stopped at the Ohio. He
sketched the events that led up to the
birth of the new state, and cited
many reasons for the advantage accru-
ing under the new regime. But it
was in telling of West Virgin
las resources, and the possibilities
awaiting those determined to seek
wealth in this state, that Prof. Brown
was at his best. He did not want
foreigners to enrich themselves by
means of advantages open to
those to the manor born; hence he
advised the yonng men to fit them
selves in life so that this state would
become one of the brilliant gems of
the Union. He wanted a survey of the
state made that would bring to light
its wealth. He wanted West Virginia
biologists, surveyors, botanists, tim
bermen, to reap the benefits from the
development, and wanted editors, ed
ucators, or any of the callings neces-
sary to advertise the state, to be fol-
lowed by West Virginians with love
of their commonwealth ever close to
them.
He wanted the eyes of capital turn
ed to West Virginia, and advised men
of means and enterprise to study dill
gently the capabilities of West Vir-
ginia and Kentucky territory, now
destitute of railways. In his conclud-
ing remarks he urged that the state
in all its phases Of picturesqueness,
history, or wealth, be given close
attention, so that in the after years
West Virginia would stand upon the
pedestal it should occupy, and to
which height it could be mounted if
her sons would stir themselves. Said
he in concluding:
"This is the kind of men and wo-
men West Virginia must have during
the next generation or fall behind her
sister states. We want men and wo-
men of this kind, and we don't want
altogether to import them from 9th
er states and other countries. And so
it remains chiefly with the young peo-
pie of West Virginia whether or not
they will become these botanists and
teachers and editors and poets and
thereby contribute to the glory of our
state. Let me venture to believe that
the young men and women of West
Virginia, they the descendants of a
great people, with the traditions of
Virginia in their minds, the glory Of
her scientists, her orators and her
statesmen treasured deeply in their
memories, will not fail to cause West
Virginia to take the high place she Is
entitled, but to do this they must be-
come cultured. Wheeling Intelli-
Qencer