Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-16
down.. :: IN VIRGINIA
President: Speaks at Uni
versity Exercises.
SPLEN Did OVATION
SPEECH GREETED WITH TIRE
MENDoUS APPLAUSE.
True Southern Hospitality Marks the
occasion-College Style Of Welcome
Accorded the Chief.

CHARLOTTESVILLE Va, June 16-The
University of Virginia today entertained
the President of the United States, and
right royalty the students of this historic
seat of learning performed their duties as
hosts. The occasion of the Presidents visit
was to attend the seventy ninth commence
ment Of the university. which occurs today.
Mr.. Roosevelt Is the third President to visit
the university, of which Thomas Jefferson.
whose remains lie quite close to the college
he loved, was the founder.
President Hayes and President Cleveland
have enjoyed the hospitality Of this truly
southern institution. and the warm well
comes they received were duplicated in the
today.
Arrival Of President.
The Presidents special train arrived here
from Washington at II 80 o'clock this fore
noon. The Monticello Guards were on duty
at the depot and kept back the crowd that
had assembled to see the distinguished
guest. Visitors have been pouring into the
city since yesterday, and hotel rooms and
teams were at premium this morning.
The President was cheered as he stepped
from his car. He was met by DR.. Paul
university; Judge Geo. w. Norris. chair
man of today's exercises, and committee
of alumni. The party was driven direct to
the university where the exercises were
held in the public hall. Here the students
welcomed the President in true college
style.
The address before the alumni association
which was first on the program had been
of Roanoke, and was to have been delivered
by him. He. however. was detained at home
by Illness and his address was read by r.
Walton Moore of Fairfax, member Of the
board Of visitors of the university. Judge
Morris then in a short speech Of welcome
introduced the President. After the ap-
plause which greeted his appearance had
subsidized. the President delivered his adj
dress. lie said in part:
The President Speaks.
The reception accorded the President
was particularly demonstrative. The vast
audience sprang to its feet when he was
introduced. and the cheering and hand
clapping continued for several minutes.
The President said 1t was double pleas
ure for him to be present today. "In the
first place." said hes because the Univer-
sity Of Virginia Is one among that limited
number Of institutions of learning to which.
because of its historical association. every
American proud of his country and his
country's history must turn.
In the next place, because I have just
finished trip across this continent which
at almost every step reminded me of some
great deed done by a Virginian or de-
Scendant of a Virginian in that wonderful
formative period which has occupied more
than half of this republics work.
Spoke of Poe.
He recalled the fact that Edgar Allen
Poe was a graduate Of the university, as
was also his friend. Thomas Nelson Page.
He said he had called upon a number OF
University Of Virginia men to fill high pub
lie offices and that they never failed him.
The President closed his address with a
few remarks on the duties of good citizen
ship as applied more particularly to the COL
lege man, and said that every man to be
an honor to his alma mater must work his
hardest to make a place for himself in the
world.
Others Declined.
At the conclusion of the Presidents
speech the audience called on Senator Dam
Tel. The senator declined to make speech
after the wonderful and masterful ad-
dress which the President had just deliv-
cred" He said that 'if the President had
stopped at San Juan Hill and made his
speech to the Spaniards every man of them
would have surrendered"
Senator Martin also was called on but
declined to speak after the excellent ad-
dress Of the President
The President said he would have consid-
cred his trip incomplete If 1t had not end
ed with pilgrimage to the University OF
Virginia.
He spoke of the work of the early vir-
gtnians, and paid tribute to Lewis and
Clarke, Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott
and other natives of the state who have
figured prominently In history. Virginia
has right to be proud he said. of the
character of the public men whom she has
sent into public life.
THE two United States senators from
Virginia are both graduates of this univer-
sity. and 1t is a genuine pleasure to be
brought into contact with them In handling
public affairs
The President spoke in high terms of the
university and the work 1t has DONE and
said that when the White House was re-
stored to its original design the architects
came to Charlottesville and studied the
architecture Of the old buildings in the uni
versity grounds to get the right idea
Medals Presented.
At the conclusion of the Presidents ad-
dress the various medals were delivered to
was served in the gymnasium. Judge r.
T. w. Duke Of Charlottesville, presided as
POSTMASTER and introduced the President.
who responded to the toast 1.-THE United
States"
After luncheon the party visited Month
cello. the home Of Jefferson, where they
were entertained by Jefferson M Levy of
New York, who now owns the place Pres
ident and Mrs. Roosevelt rode there on
horseback and other members of the party
went in carriages The President will leave
here at o'clock this evening for Wash
ingtOn. Y:
President Roosevelt left here at $50
o'clock this morning on a special train over
the Southern Railway for Charlottesville,
Va. In the Presidents party were Mrs.