The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-06-30
A Dream Of Fred
GIiGRS1UTg'S Future.
THIS THE TITLE OF DIR. RAMSAY s
LITERARY ADDRESS.
The situation Ten Years Hence Beautifully
Described. Etc, Etc, Etc.

The situation Ten Years Hence Beautifully
Described, Etc, Etc, Etc.
The following is the full text Of the
literary address delivered before Fred
erlcksburg College at the commence
neut this month by Ds + p Ramsay I:
Our hero came 90 Fredericksburg Ool-
legs in the year 1910 His home was
in the State Of Maine buf through a
friend his father had learned Of the in
stitution in this way la the year 1900
there had been reunion Of the Society
Of the Army Of the Potomio at Freder-
icksburg. and one II the veterans then
present became so interested In the
place that be sought ont all iuformotion
concerning It, and thus came upon 8
catalogue Of the college IL later years
he spoke Of It 20 his friend in Maine,
who was iDquiriDg for good Southern
institution in which 30 educate bis son.
whose supposed predisposition 70 pull
monary trouble warned him to live in
milder climate. Meanwhile tho College
had received an endowment, first Of
500 OOO from liberal citizens of treder'
ioksburg then Of $50 900 more from
philanthropist in the South, and finally
of 5000. 900 from a Northern donor.
When. therefore, there was sent, upon
request a catalogue Of 1909 10 90 the
home in Maine, II advertised college
with extensive buildings on Marye
Heights. having well.eqaipped labora-
tories, Libraries. c0nservsiories Of music
and art. aud cottages for homes Of stu
dents and teachers Il was an institu'
tion Of the highest STANDARD, for neither
sex exclusively. and under 40 sect ex'
olusigely, and drawing patronage from
no section exclusively Controlled by
board Of trustees chosen for their wis
dom and piety from the different
branches Of the Christian Church, aud
self perpetuatinR by filling vacanies
from the distinguished alumoi, the In
stitution stood in the center Of the great
conflict itself the inspiration and mes.
senger Of peace Meant as monument
Of perpetual union. Il represented in It.
self the best American ideals in edncA-
tion. Is is not surprising. therefore
that il drew students from Maine and
Texas, from Florida and Oregon.
Joseph Chamberlain stepped from HE
train that early morning in the end Of
September into an electric car, which
whirled him rapidly through the new
city Of paved streets. just awakening to
the sounds Of the factory whistles, up
to the heights crowned with the beauti'
full campus and buildings Of the College.
He was soon located in his own room
in one Of the cottages. and told to go,
when the gong should sound, 70 the re-
fectory for breakfast.
Let Us come and look upon him while
be sits at a window, gazing out over the
the vale Of the city, up and down the
Stafford heights beyond, along the river
coiled In the morning sun as far as the
falls that he could see glimpses Of danc'
ing in the light, and the curve Of hills
from the river sound to the South aud
East. It was a lovely panorama. Oar
youthful poet (for he was poeticaD satin
a dream Of delight and sadness. There,
he thought to himself. is where my
mother's brother, then the age that l am
now, was shot down as he charged on
the stone wall aud, when they were
taxing him up to bear him from the
field, he begged them to let him be, say
ing: Il must die, but let me die here.
looking after our brave boys charging
up those heights. " Alas, he expired
without that sight bui now, says the
young poet, murmuring
What shot and shell could never do,
Nor dauntless courage carry through,
'Gainst equals on the heights,
All this q larger love hath done,
And better victory hath won
Than ever warriors might.
The Southern hill is now subdued,
A willing heart by reverence woOed,
Unconquered but by good;
IL now receives the NOrth's embrace,
A bride submissive. mild in grace,
Surrendering understood.
Or are not we the conquered now,
VINO come from out the North, 10 bow
The South our courtesy,
While on these fields of fame will tread,
Forever first and never dead,
The victor Of the ages. Lee.
But we we're to look OF the young
man, and we have been listening to him.
And that was his Characteristic, his
thought and utterance we're eyermore
interesting than his appearance. And
vet. the face and fAxen hair. the shy
eyes and the seemingly delicate form
we're winsome, and grew upon the be-
holder. A depth Of earnestness. a mys-
terry Of seriousness beneath the gentle
smile gradually fastened attention, and
raised questions that were not answered
The ringing of the gong brought him to
his feet-slender, tall and graceful
One might have said that it was girl
but his boating on the river 10 the con-