The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1901-03-22

attalnmentS OF the living Alumni, anu
yet to day they occupy the first posi-
ton in the service of the State and
country, in the church, on the bench,
in the professions, in mercantile life,
not only in Maryland, but in other
States and even beyond the seas. |
witnessed General Sherman review his
victorious army at the close OF the
civil wal; i have seen the grand annual
manocuvres of Queen Victoria S troops
at Aldcrshot, the bands zen masse'
playing the "March Past" of each re gi-
ment of infantry and cavalry; the
lancers with their tiuttcring banners;
her Highland and Indian troops as they
went in review before their Queen, but
| was more thrilled few days ago
when | attended some of the exercises
at the Naval Academy incident to the
graduation of the cadets, and observed
that whenever the band played the
"Star Spangled Banner" whether on
the parade ground or in the ball room,
every man faced the music, came to
attention, and silence was supreme.
AS stood in mute admiration of the
inspiring scene, fancy led me back to
the deck of the British war ship in
Baltimore Harbor, when Francis Scott
Key, an Alumnus of this College,
wrote, under circumstances sufficient
to unnerve most men, and yet his was
the true chivalrous courage, those lines
which have made him renowned
throughout the world. wherever our
National Anthem is known.
Memory also recalled play of
my boyhood who received no other
education than that acquired in this
College, although lie afterwards was
appointed to the army from civil life;
he carried that flag farther to the
northward than had ever before been
reached by any explorer. James
Booth Lockwood, a volunteer member
of the Greely Polar expedition, gave
up his life in the performance of heroic
service, not inspired by the elbow
touch Of the fight, nor the blare OF
trumpet, but impelled by the stern
sense of duty to perform what all men
before him had failed to accomplish
So apprcciative was our Government
OF the services of this great soldier that
it brought his body from the frozen
North to the cemetery near by on the
banks of the beautiful Severn within
sight of the old home which he so dearly
loved, but cheerfully left ON the call Of
his country. There is no glowing
eulogy on his tomb, that is recorded in
history; sufficient these beautiful
words, The sufferings of this present
time are not worthy to be compared
with the glory that shall be revealed
in u.s."
Graced as we are to-day with this
charming and distinguished presence
yet it has always been the pleasure Of
St. Johns College to welcome among
her guests the fairest and best in this
land. George Washington Park
Custis; step grandson of General Wash
ington. Fairfax and Lawrence Wash
lngton, his nephews, were among the
early students of the College. Presi
dent Washington, on March 25th, 1871
in the company of the Governor o
Maryland and number OF the citizens
of Annapolis, visited St. Johns Col
leg". and shortly afterwards, in re-
sponse to an address made 10y the au
thorities of the College, the President
expressed his gratifi cation at the pros
poets of this promising institution as
follows:
$40 the Faculty Of st. Johns Colleg':
"Gentlemen,-The satisfaction l have
derived from my visit to your infant
seminary is expressed with much pleasure
| and my wishes for its progress to perfec
| tion are proffered with sincere regard
"The very promising appearance of its
| infancy must flatter all its friends with
| whom l entreat you to class me) with the
| hope of an early and at the same time a
mature manhood.
you will do justice to the sentiments
which your kind regard toward myself in
spires, by believing that l reciprocate the
good wishes contained in your address
and l sincerely hope the excellence OF
your seminary will be manifested in the
morals and science of the youths who are
favored with your care"
In 1924 the College was again the
scene Of extraordinary festivities
Our Government had sent ship tt
bring General Lafayette to the Unitet
States as the Nations guest; escorted
hy two companies ofcavalry, Lafayette
as he approached Annapolis, was me-
by Il deputation from the city, Jud e
j. Townlcy Chase, Chancellor Blanc
and other gentlemen. Judge Chas'
greeted him with welcome, the frien(
Of our Country, the friend of Washing
ton, the defender Of the rights of man
invoking for him the choicest blessing
Of Heaven here and hereafter. Lafay
cite replied: "'rhe welcome | receive
from ycu, gentlemen, in the name o
the citizens of Annapolis, the pleasure
to meet you again, my dear and vener
ated sir, and the remembrance OF on.
OF my earliest friends and co-patriot:
in the cause of America, your excellent
brother, are sentiments which | an
happy to express. | thank you fol
the testimonies of your esteem anC
friendship. | rejoice with you in the