The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-06-15

Tue annual address to the graduating
class Of tho Bcnwood public school. was
dsIvered at the 81. E. church last nisht
by Prof. s. b. Brown. Of the chair Of
geology. West virginia University. His
theme WAS west Virginia, Her People.
ana Her Prospects" II was the most
mastery address ever heard in BenwoOd,
and the large audience was delighted
beyond expression.
Previous TO the address some excellent
music was rendered By the Benwond or
ehestYa. composed OF talented young
ladies and gentlemen. The Invocation
VEs By Rev. ]. s. Robinson, pastor OF the
Al r church. Prof. G. II. Ford, prtuci'
n1l Of the school. presided.
Prof. Browns address throughout was
inspiring to all West ViFginlanS VINO
love their state. It was an appeal espec-
Tally 70 the youth Of West virginia 90
stay within the borders OF their state
ori develop rs resources, and to fit
themselves for such development, pc
ealiss there Is no field 50 promising OF
fortune AZ the opening OF the coal beds
ana lumber lands, with which this state
4 % literally endowed. The address
v-as Fepicfe with interesting sketches OF
history pertaining TO West virginia ana
contained a fund Of practical sugges-
6iOnL
he reviewed the early settlement OF
the state. relating the many hardsnips
undergone by the sturdy pioneers. who
s,ro-sss1 what Is now known aS the bor-
der line between the New Dominion and
me mother stale. that they might ma
new homes Tor themselves and families.
me Part played by those pioneers In the
revolutionary war was Interestingly
brouf.ht out. and under the speakers elo-
0uent treatment. ShepherdstuWr. ana
the old towns 0f tho eastern Pan Handle
Ieemed with historic lore.
Speaking Of the revolution, ne sald'
at Is somewhat remarkable that the
nresen{ territory OF Wesi Virginia gave
q ms revolution, three generals, who
lived within ten miles OF each other
Generals Charles Lee. Adam Stephens
ana Horafio Gates. All achieved dis
Slnction. al were violent enemies Of
washington. and all left the army in
bad repute.
In Iaudatlon OF the bravery exhibited
ny the early settlers. Prof Brown IN
gtRnced the fact that Shepherostown tur-
uiahed the EirSt volunteer company that
walked into Boston common. from tne
territory lying south OF the Potomac He
existing, ana Of the curious customs and
laws. happily now obsolete. Interesting
IS the audience also. was the not gener-
ally known, but nevertheless true. state
Enent that James Rumsey, a West Viz
Finian, was the inventor OF the steam
boat, for which Robert Fulton, who had
known Rumsey and gained knowledge
Of hla models. gets the credit
Very interesting and Instructive was
fSaNN ~ InFNNg al
Gettlement II West Virginia from Its
starting point. the Blue Ridge noun
talnS. until its westward trend stopped
Al the Ohio. He slSetched the events that
led M TO the birth OF the new state, and
cited many reasons for the advantage
accruing under the new regime. But u
was in telling OF West ViTginia'5 re-
SOURCES. and the possibilities awaiting
those determined 10 seek wealth IN THIS
state, that Prof Brown was at his best.
He ala not want foreigners to enrich
themselves by means OF advantages open
10 those TO the manor born; hence he ad-
yiaed the young men to NJ themselves In
life 90 thar 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 It's wealth. He
wanted West Virginia geolOgists. sur
yeyors, botanis;s. tlmbermen, to reap
the benefits from the development. and
wanted editors. educators. or any OF the
calIingS necessary TO advertise the state
90 be followed By West Virginlans with
love OF their commonwealth ever close TO
them.
He wanted the eyes Of capital turned
70 West Virginia, and advised men OF
means and enterprise to study diligently
the capabilities Of West Virginia and
Kentucky territory, noR destitute OF
railways. In his concluding remarks he
urged that the state in all its phases OF
pictureSquenes5 history. OF wealth. be
GiVen clOae attention, 30 that IN the after
years West Virginia would stand upon
the pedestal u should occupy, and 70
which height II could be mounted II her
sons would stir themselves. Said he In
concluding:
''Thls is the kind OF men and women
West Virginia must have during the
next generation or fall behind her sister
states. We want men and women Of this
Kind. and we don't want altogether 10
import them from other states and other
countries. And 20 II remains chiefly
with the young people OF West Virginia
whether or not they will become these
bOtanists and teachers and editors and
poeta and thereby contribute to the glory
Of our state. Let me venture 10 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 10 take the high
place 10 which she is entitled, but TO do
this they must become cultured"
The BenwoHd high school commence
nfent takes place at the NJ. u. church this
evening There are fiye graduates, but
owing 10 a death In the family Miss
Edna Bowers has been excused from her
Grafton The programme;
Aarch-"Apolio".. ...,....":. Orchestra
Invocation. .............Rey J. s. Robinson
Overture-"The Chancellor" -. Orchestra
Essay-"cuba Llbrs". Chester a. Beall
Oration-''The Hero Of the Orient 900.
..........,,........,.,...I Edna VI. bowers
gelectlon-"A Hot Time. .....".
..............".Q unrtettc and Orchestra
oration-"Woman Suffrage, ..::..;,,,;.:; .,
,...,............. Nellie g. Rlddoll
Esaay-"The Land Of tho Rising sun
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. John w. BurNeh
Concert waltz-"AlmR Mia" Orchestra
Oratlon--"Our Lives arc What We
Mako Them" ........... ThHreso ". OHer
geIectIon Arlington Quartette
Address. ..............,R Rev. J. s. Robinson
Presentation OF Diplomas. .......,....
............... President q. W. kronhaTdt
Selection. .QuaTtettH and Orchestra
lctlon............'ReV. r. u W. foFu
AT FRANKLIN COLLEGE