Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1898-06-16
University of Va. Final Celebration.

/ Tuesday was the big day of the COM
mencement at the University OF Va. and
| brought together an immense crowd to wit
ness the dedication OF the new buildings
and to hear the distinguished speakers an
nounced. There was special local at
traction for Staunton, as our talented TEL
IowcltiZen, Hon. A. e. Gordon, was on the
program for an ode. Many Stauntonlans
went over, among them we noticed Dr.
Blackford. Judge Chalkley, Howard Wayt,
Marshall Hanger, Donald Allen, }. b.
Ransom, w. A. Pratt, j. e. Bishop. I. q.
Morton, W. A. Bowles and Mrs. BoWles,
Chas E. Young, R. S. Turk accompanied
by his guests, Miss Mathews and Miss
Feamster; w. A. levin, Chas. Blackford,
and the train picked up en- route Capt. u.
Julian Pratt at Waynesboro, Atty. Genl.
Montague at Alton, and Prof. VIM. DIN
widdie at Greenwood.
The audience filled far beyond its seat
ing capacity the platform, the pit and the
two capacious galleries Of the immense and
beautiful public hall. DR.. Barringer,
charm an of the faculty, made brief and
hearty address of welcome. Rev. DR.. Ran
dolph Il McKim made an impressive prayer,
which was followed by the hymn "Rlse
crowned with Light" sung by choir seat
ed in the left gallery.
Being introduced by the chairman, Mr..
Gordon advanced to the front OF the
platform amidst a storm OF applause and
pronounced his poem, 1.-The Fostering
Mother" This ode to the University, his
alma mater, by devoted alumnus, Is
beautiful and eloquent tribute to the great
school. Its delivery was frequently inter-
| ruped by applause. and at its conclusion
the demonstration of approval must have
beed most gratifying to its author and his
| friends. There was loud and long applause,
friends stepped forward to congratulate
| him, and the audience rose and gave three
| cheers in which the distinguished company
on the platform joined with will. The
| University singers then rose from their
seats in the first gallery in front OF the
platform and sang "Gaudeamus, to the
great delight of the large audience.
| Hon. James e. Carter's address followed.
This distinguished New York lawyer, an
alumnus of the University held the atten-
ton of his audience for over an hour. his
address being one of the ablest that has
| been heard on these historic occasions.
Rev. T. NJ. Carson, DID,, rector Of St.
Paul's church. Lynchburg, life long friend
| of MI. Chaa b. Rouss, the donor OF the
handsome and valuable physical laboratory
| Just completed, next made most fitting ad-
| dress in acknowledging the handsome bene-
faction of the Merchant Prince Of New
York.
Hon. q. P. Jones. rector of the University,
then in brief and appropriate words, pres
ented to the State of Virginia, the new
buildings and Governor Tyler ir charac-
teristic and we'll received speech accepted
them in behalf Of the Commonwealth.
After brief speech from Col. William
Lamb of Norfolk, member OF the Board
of Visitors Of William and Mary College,
the inspiring national song America was
sung by the audience standing and the ex.
ercises Of the day came to close. Among the
| distinguished visitors was the Chinese
minister with his suite accompanied by MI
Thomas Nelson Page. The minister from
the Celestial kingdom is said to be an intel
ligent and educated man who speaks Eng
lish fuently. He was close observer OF
Of every thing that tr anspired and the party
attracted much attention.
The entertainment of the large number o.
visitors at Charlottesville this week taxe
the accommodations furnished by the hotels
la nd boarding houses and the professors a
the University are keeping open houses ant
dispensing a.gracious hospitality. At Prof
Frank Smiths alone. there were At least
to dine on Tuesday and among his guests
Bishop Dudley Of Kentucky, Miss Lee,
daughter Of Gen'l Fitz Lee, DIR. Taylor
!, New Yok, Hon. Mr.. Smith Of New Yorl
the attorney and confidential adviser OF MI
q. B. Rouss and many others.