Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1899-02-14

and with the living hand bestow the re-
wards which the still living and enter
prising mind has won, upon his fellow
man, that he may see with his own eyes
not with the natural and physical eye,
which, alas in him is dim and rayless
but with that other and more penetrat-
ing power of vision-the eye of the living
soul-the joy and the happiness which
sprung from the blessings he has con-
ferred.
Thus has he learned in the past, and
by the generous and helpful acts which
daily adorn and magnify his life, is he
entitled to enjoy the priceless experience
of the luxury of doing good.
The munifcence of Mr.. Rouss has
been as varied as it has been useful. Nor
has he bestowed it on objects or for pur-
poses that endure put for day, but per-
manence and long duration, and the
value of which time and use but confirm
and enhance, have in the main charac-
terized his bounties.
His superb judgment, giving direc-
ton to his liberallty, is manifested in the
donation of thousands of dollars for the
establishments of a physical laboratory for
the use of the University of Virginia, and
other thousands to increase and secure
the water supply of Winchester, the cher
lshed home of his earliest career; of $780,
600 towards erecting and maintaining
Memorial Hall or Battle Abbey, within
whose walls shall be collected memorials
and historical proof of the valor and The
voluntary sacrifices of the thousands who,
at the call of their states, went upon the
field of battle to offer up their lives. if
necessary, for cause they deemed just,
although it failed; and to perpetuate, as
they deserve, the names of the great
leaders of these heroic hosts, whose ac-
comPlishments and wondrous achieve
ments have challenged the admiration of
the civilized world.
"Near US, and casting its shadow upon
us, stands another monument of the
greathearted generosity of him the ami
versary of whose birthday we are assem-
bled gratefully to celebrate.
A" From it, in hours of distress and dis
aster, has gone forth the relief which the
vigilance and readiness of those before
me, who SO willingly brave the dangers
of consuming element, are ever prompt
to afford. Its strong walls and uplifted
tower will, trust, remain to perpetuate
the name it bears in the hearts and mem
cries of coming generations.
-" Let US, then, unitedly send him our
Prolongation of that life which has been
productive of SO much that is worthy of
appreciation and commemoration."
Columbia" was then rendered by the
Band under Mr.. T. NJ. Baker and Choir
under Miss Bertha Ruhl, following which
Mr.. w. D. Briscoe read an excellent
original poem, prefacing it as follows
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
While not feeling at liberty to decline
your kind invitation to deliver poem on
the Birthday of Mr.. Rouss, cannot but
regret that some one more adequate
had been selected to mount the winged
horse Pegasus than myself. For, howev-
er much we may wish to accomplish sue
cessfully the duties assigned US, we rare
ly find our ability equal to the desire. 1
trust, therefore, you will credit the desire,
and forget the imperfections of my verse.
POEM BY WILLIAM DARKE BRIscoE,
Delivered ON the
BIRTHDAY OF CHARLES BROADWAY Rouss,
February IL, 1899.