Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-15
MIR. CARsON's ADDRESS.
Something of the Life of the Donor
of the laboratory.
Mr.. Carson said:

Mr.. Carson said:
Your Excellency the Governor Ladies.
and Gentlemen,--By the courtesy OIL tne
Committee OF Arrangements rom .ne
Board of Visitors and faculty OF tne
University. | present through you TO the
State of Virginia one OF that group OF
buildings which completes the great quad-
rangle.
IT is not necessary that l speak OF the
edifce itself. beautiful as IL is UNIQUE ~
it's architecture, for to all behoiderS IL
stands a structure of majestic frame;
Nor need | more than mention the ad-
mirable fitness OF its appointments 10
the uses of an age which values science
largely. if not chiefly, as "systematiZeo
knowledge" in the service which II lends
to art which Is knowledge mace en-
cient by skill" -.
Henceforth in respect Of these. Doth
science and art, the Rouss Physical La
boratory fills a space hitherto uhoccu-
pied in the rich equipment or TINS greA.
seat of learning. Rather let me Tor a
moment point the moral OF TINS gut III
the life and character OF It's generous
donor.
1t is a commonly accepted, but as l
think, an unsound adage. that men are
the creatures OF circumstance true II
is men for the most part do llVe anu
move and have their being under the llml-
tations OF conditions, prospectus or ad-
verse, for which they have little or no
responsibility Like dumb, driven cat
tie" here and there uncomplainingly they
tread the mill and without thought OF
care for betterment follow the Deateh
path which fate or fortune orders. De
spite the Roman maxim, they live ana
labor content with the lot which nature
gives" certainly we all admit, however
reluctantly, the force or environment
the potentialty of the accidents or Tor
tune-but there are men who instinctively
revolt against this iron despotism-men
whose nature, breaking through the de-
pressions of environment, energies INTO
the larger liberty which makes them
masters Of conditons-makes them not
the creatures, but the creators or cir
cumstances.
OF such exceptional men we have a
notable example in Charles Il. Rouss.
From between the plough handles or MS
fathers farm in the Valley or virginia
he comes forth the merchant prince OF
New York city, whose wise and liberal
policies have planted so many widely
scattered enterprises over this broad
land. the philanthropist whose benefac-
tons, large and small. have filled so
many humble homes with gladness, and
erected monuments Of public zeal Tor
human welfare the helpful friend OF
helpless men and women, whose hearts
have failed them for fear in the hard
battle against the odds of poverty. In
such an one we find the master man-one
who. with all his native modesty, De-
comes to the young men OF this Umver-
follow an illustrious example or what
one man may do who never let's i oare
not wait upon | would.
From his early boyhood l have known
him well From his pupilage in the old
Winchester Academy, out OF whose
classic shades have gone forth into all
the walks OF life men who have adorned
and blessed their generation; in the darn
days of the great Confederate struggle
in the darker days which followed, al
oh 10
appointments Of his early mercantile life
i'm the metropolis until at last, by force
of will. snatching victory from defeat
he lays deep and broad the foundations
OF financial success and rears the proud
slIperstructure of the millionaire mer'
chant.
1t IS an era of multi-millionaires. To
some of these shrewd, successful mer
has been given the broad mind. the large
heart. the open nand. In good degree
to these great qualities has been added
the worldly wisdom which has made
them. In some sort, at least, their owr
executors. SO they have lived TO see the
fruits OF their labors. not only in the
| acquisition. but also in the disposition OF
| their substance They may never have
heard the pretty saying OF Lord Bacon
! but they have learned It's truth and Illus
| trated its meaning. "Of riches there Is
| no real use except in their distribution
| May the number of such men increase
! and may this University i'm larger mea
| sure become the grateful almoner OF
| their benefactions.
Standing by the noble shaft which Rous'
| has reared TO his lost loved ones in Mt
| Hebron Cemetery. Winchester, | have
! read craven in the granite, these words
| so fun of pathos: THE shadow was
greater than the sunshine" Accepting
| this gift, let us breathe the aspiration
| that through the gathering darkness h'
may see the light and battle his soul II
| its perennial beauty.