Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-24
JACKSON MEMORIAL.
DEDICATION OF TIE HALL AT Lex
INGTOx, VIRGINIA.
N INTERESTING OCCASION.
A Great Crowd Present-The Ad-
dresses OF DR.. Hunter Mc6uirc'
Rev. DIR. Smith, and senator Daniel.
Military Institute Alumni Meeting.

SOH-SicHiOilai fihlls luo Ah''e '"N~'
feature of the commencement OF the VIZ
ginia Military Institute, took place To-
day In tho main hall Of the building
The hall was packed to oyerfiowins
throughout the exercises, large number
OF the audience being compelled TO stand
in the lobby and doors. Many people
from the county were in attendance ana
large excursion from Lynchburg helped
TO swell the crowd.
The exercises were opened with a
prayer By the Rev. c. Il. Hemphll, ID.
d., OF Louisville Mr.. Houston >.
Letcher president Of the Board OF Nisi-
tors, then gave a brief history of the
efforts to get funds for the construction
of the hall, saying that the first con-
tribution was made by President Jener-
son Davis. and that a large proportion
of the contributions came from Pennsyl-
vania. Mr.. Letcher then introduced the
first orator Of the day, DIR. Hunter Me-
CURE, Of Richmond, medical director of
Jacksons Corps.
DIR. INQUIRIES REMARKS.
Ut. MGdUlit Olfifl illo d'AAN|' ~ -
lating that he had been recently told
by eminent British officers that the
greatest English-speaking generals in the
last hundred years were Marlborough,
wellington, Washington, Lee, and Jack
son. They declared that the campaign
of Jackson in the Valley Of Virginia was
the first in which the world had known
40 bunders. The speaker discussed
General Jackson as a general, consid-
ering his instructive powers, genius,
courage skill, cool judgment, and love
for his men. He illustrated these char
acteristics by numerous anecdotes ana
incidents n Jackson's career which came
under his personal observation as q
surgeon i'm his corps. The "reminiscences
were Of exceeding interest, and the fol-
lowing Is the first quoted by the speakers:
After the first battle of Manassas he was
dressing Jacksons wounded hand when
President Davis rode up. He had been
told that the Confederates were defeated.
Standing up in his stirrups. with face
deathly pale President Davis cried to a
body Of soldiers: ~ am President Davis
Follow me back into the field Jack
son, on hearing this, raised himself up
and said: 1--WE have whipped them, we
have made them run like sheep; give me
ten thousand men and Wen take Wash1
ington tomorrow" And he would have
done IT, said Or. Mcclure. The speaker
followed this line with other Incidents
illustrating the other characteristics OF
the great hero. The speaker was APP
plauded frequently, and it is the opinion
Of many here that DR.. McGuire's speech
tn TapfaHa.
rate history.
REV. DIR. SMITHS ADDRESS.
The Rev. DR.. J. p. Smith, of Richmond,
was introduced By MIR. Letcher as the
next speaker Dr. Smith said in part:
II Is not an accident that in the inn
nressive exercises with which you open
this building there Is place assigned
for the religious character OF him
whose name it bears. 1t Is not
only that any study of his character
and career would be incomplete, not that
IL would be wholly unphilosophical and
untruthful without a statement or that
which Law so effectively in his heart,
and covered so entirely all that we
know OF him. 1t was Thomas Carlisle
who said. "a mans religion Is the chief
fact with regard to him." and more
imam OF any man Va A'h'NAA ~ '+-~rAN-'-
times It is true that the religion of
Jackson was the man himself. IL was
not only that he was "A religious man.
but that he was that rare man among
men 10 whom religion was everlasting.
Eminent critics are telling US that the
campaigns OF Jackson will be the study
and the admiration of military schools
for centuries TO come. However true
that may be Of him, we are sure that
the religion of Stonewall Jackson viii
be the chief and most effective way
into the secret spring of the character
and career of this strange man, who,
as the years go by. is rising into the
ranks of the great soldier saints OF his
torv-Saint Louis. OF France; Gustavas
Adolphus. of Sweden; oliver Cromwell.
of England: Stonewall Jackson, Of
America. DR.. Smith spoke OF the in
heritance Of Jackson Of the blood Of a
stalwart race: OF the hard discipline of
his youth: Of the memory Of has mother.
taken from him when he was little
child Of years. He spoke of his bap-
tism at Fort Hamilton by an Episcopal
clergyman: Of his seeking the counsel
OF the Catholic Bishop OF Mexico, and
of his profession of religion In Licking
ton: of the growth Of his knowledge and
faith Unlike the wicked OF whom the
Psalmist speaks, "God was In all his
thoughts" His faith gave unity, SIM
pIicity, directness. and humility IN
marked degree. He spoke OF his depend
ence. his implicit obedience TO Gods will
as made known TO him. The Providence
Of God was an all-embracing fact: and
prayer to a present God was a direct
consequence. He was capable of anger
and Indignation I'm "A high degree, but
had learned a self-mastery that was
something marvellous He was gener-
Gus 10 views of others. and catholic I'm
spirit He was not devoid Of humor-
the humor of Jackson was Illustrated
by incidents; the stern warrior was the
gentlest of men. Are these the things
that make the gentleman? Are purity
and truth, modesty and courtesy the
things by which we know him? These
things he had not by conventionality.
but as the expression OF gentle ma
ture and the fruit Of abiding principle
An English officer. after weeks stay
with General Jackson. said: 'He is a
revelation 10 me. He is the best in
formed soldier I have found I'm America.
and as perfect a gentleman as 7 have
ever known" How fitting that the two
Virginia heroes of the Civil war should
meet again and find their resting-place
i'm tombs so near. In this retired place
among the stony mountains OF the State
they loved so well. Two lofty leaders
they stand on Fame's eternal Camping
ground each giving unfading glory to
the other.
How happy and hopeful it is that here
the young men OF Virginia. from noun
tains and lowlands alike are 10 be gath
cred in growing numbers. and TO be train.
ed for life under the peryading inspiratlo,
of names and stories. heard which none
I'm all history are more effulgent in all
things, pure and lovely. and OF good ro.
port. If any young man shall go ont
from the institutions Of Lexington 10
..Lto,, In life thar fe co--,,-. ~