The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-15
ROUSS PHYSICAL LABORATORY,
Rev. T. VI. Carson Delivers IN Address
Accept ne the Philanthropists Gift.

1
Rev T. NJ. Carson. d. D., Of Lynch
burg. introduced by Chairman Barringer,
delivered his address: The Rouss Phys
| zeal Laboratory" Whenever he mention
ed the name of c. b. Rouss, he was in
! terrupted by applause. he pointed TO
| Mr. Rouss as aQ illustrious example that
! all young men would do well 10 follow.
| His closing words were particularly
touching. Mr.. Carson spoke as follows:
BY the courtesy of the Committee OF
Arrangements from the Board OF Visitors
and Faculty Of the University | present
through you 10 the State Of Virginia, one
OF that group Of buildings which COM
pletes the great quadrangle.
II is not necessary that I speak of the
edifce itself beautiful as IL is unique In
its architecture: for 20 all beholders. 1T
stands a structure of majestic frame
Nor need 7 more than mention the ad-
mirabie fitness Of its appointments 70 fne
uses of an age which values science,
largely IL not Chiefly as "systematized
knowledge" in the service which 1t rem
ders TO art. which is knowledge made
efficient by skill"
Henceforth i'm respect to these, both
science and art. the "Rouss Physical
Laboratory fills the space hitherto un-
occupied I'm the rich equipment Of this
great seat OF learning. Ra Their let me
for a moment point the moral Of this
gift in the life and character OF its gem
erous donor.
FATE OF MAN.
II Is a commonly accepted, but as
think. an unsOund afdge that men are
the creatures Of circumstances" True It
is men for the most part do live and
move. and have their being, under the
adverse. for which they have little or no
responsibility. like dumb. driven cattle
here and there. uncomplainingly they
tread the mill. and without thought or
care for betterments. follow the beaten
path which Fate or Fortune orders.
DESPITE the Roman maxim. they live
and labor content with the lot which
nature gives" Certainly we all admit,
however reluctantly. the force of en-
vironment the pOtentiality or the accl-
dents Of fortune But there are men VINO
instinctivcly revolt against this iron des-
potism. men whose nature breaking
through the dcpressions %. envirohmeh,'
emerge into the larger liberty wnlch
,,sl,os them masters of conditions. makes
them. not the creatures, but the creators
of circumstances.
or such exceptional men we have
notable example in Charles II. Rouss.
From between the plow-handles on ms
fathers farm. I'm the Valley OF virginia
he comes forth the merchant prince oil
New York city whose wise and Hbetal
policies have planted so many wldels
scattered enterprises over TINS uIoau
land: the philanthropist, whose hthela~-
lions large and small. nave flied 50
many humble homes with slalnesS ana
erected monuments Of public zeal for hu-
man welfare: the helpful friend Of helpless
men and women. whose hearts have fali-
cd them for fear in the hard batte
against the odds OF poverty. n sucn an
one we find the master-man, one "hC'
with all his native modesty, becomes TO
the Young men at this University ana or
the generations which shall Follow an
umstrious example, of what one may 90
who never lets II dare not, wait upon
L would"
CHARLES b. ROUSS
From his early boyhood / have known
him well. From his pupilage in the old
Winchester Academy. out OF whose cldS-
sic shades have gone forth into all the
walks OF life men who have adorned ana
blest their generation. In the DARK Gays
of the great Confederate struggle In the
darker DAYS which followed. All through
the difficulties and bitter disappoiht-
ments Of his early mercantile lie IN the
metropolis until at last, by force OF Will
snatching victory from defeat ne lays
deep and broad. the foundations OF IMAM
cial success. and rears the proud surer-
structure of the millionaire merchant
OF such a career, ] speak IN tnls pres
cnce not TO glorify or praise The man,
but 10 furnish the example wnicn may
be at once an inspiration 10 EFFORT anu
an assurance Of attainment For uhder-
lying this career are no adven. ero1s cir
cumstances. which foster Incidence OF
dignity selhshness. or succor toWlrdice.
but PRINCIPLES OF honest THRIFT essenlldl
10 success. principles when ialtnIuly
Incorporated conduct VIII not Kan inc
humblcst 1 speak OF plodding and per-
sistent industry. In the race OF life where
genius fails in its spasmodic EFFORT,
sleepless perseverance gains the goal.
The man who wins must work l speak
Of indomitable courage, the courage
which from the nettle danger, plucks
the flower safety which gathers
strength from formidable difficuities' ana
wrests conquest from defeat.
/ speak Of answering integrity OF the
honest dealing. the policy which wins
the condolences OF clients and competi- !
tors and Furnishes the bright good name, |
whose lustre never fades.
MEN WHOSE DEEDS LIVE.
Pardon me. II before close, | point 70 |
this gift as an example 10 all men or |
means worthy OF their following. The |
age I'm which we live has been singulariy |
marked by the rapid accumulation or great |
wealth. I'm the hands OF the Few. II Is |
an era OF .nult-milllonaires. To some or |
the shrewd successful men has been given |
the broad nina. the large heart the open |
hand In a good degree to these great |
qualities has been added the worldly |
wisdom. which has made them IN some |
sort at least. their own executors. so
they have lived TO see the fruits OF their
iabors not only in the ACQUISITIONS nut
also in the disposition OF their substance.
They NAV never have heard the pithy |
saving Of Lord Bacon; but they nave
learned its truth, and Illustrated us
meaning: "Of riches. there is no real
use. except In their distribution" SO, In
stead OF dwarfng. they have develop
ed the true nobilities OF human nature.
May the number of such men increase
and may the University In larger meas
ure. become the grateful almoner OF their
benefactions.
Standing by the noble shaft which
Pouss has reared 70 his lost loved ones
in M. Hebron Cemetery, winchester l
have read craven in the granite these
words. so full OF pathos. Ine Shaoow
was greater than the sunshine
Accepting this gift let US breathe the
aspiration. that Though the gathering j