Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1906-07-18
Virginia Military Institute as
Viewed by DIR. Smith

The Central Presbyterian OF
Richmond, whose distinguished
editor, Rev. James P. Smith, D,
D., preached the sermon before
the battalion of cadets of the Vir-
ginia Military Institute at the re-
cent commenceu ent, contained the
following article on the institution,
in which reference is made by DR..
Smith to lis visit to Lexington:
The Virginia Military Institute
has for many years had strong
hold on the affections of the peo-
pie of Virginia. 1t has educated
so many of the sons of the CID
Commonwealth, and they have
proved so efficient in the develop.
ment of the State in the time of
peace, and so loyal and true in the
time of war that the institution
has grown in honor and in the es-
TEEN of the State.
From 1917 to 1889 the Western
Arsenal of Virginia was here with
a company of State guards, guard
ing some military stores; and the
State acquired some of the proper
ty now embraced in the Institute
grounds. In 1885 il was suggest
ed that the arsenals be guarded by
cadets, who should be instructed,
and in 1859 the Institute was open
ed, General F. II. Smith and Col
onel j. I. L. Preston being the
first professors. In 1912 class
of sixteen cadets was graduated
and the Institute has continued
the good work. For fifty years
General F. H. Smith was superin-
tendent, and for seventeen years
Gen. Scott Ship. one of its own
alumni, has presided over its in
terests.
Distinctly a military school,
giving It's cadets the benefits Of
the restraint and discipline of
military life, there were added
courses in mathematics, in the
natural sciences, in English and
history, with the modern Language
es and Latin. The aim has been
to develop a strong and manly life,
prepared TO take up any PROBES
sional studies, and especially those
occupations that would help in the
development of the natural re-
sources of the State and the South.
So, large number of Its gradu-
ates have become engineers, con-
structors, architects, manufac.
turers. But many are profession
al men, some in educational work
and some in the service of the
United States, civil and military.
Quite number of it's graduates
have entered the Christian minis
try, in the various denominations,
though the preparations here
given do not point in this way es.
pecially.
When the war between the
American States came on, gradu-
ates Of the Virginia Military In
stitute, with their fine military
education and training, were emf
nently fitted for office in the army;
and almost without exception the
graduates who were living became
officers in the army. And III of
them died on the field or from
wounds received iE battle. The
heroic behavior of the cadet corps
under Colonel Shipp at New Mark
ct, in the Virginia Valley, belongs
to Virginia history, and can never
be forgotten. The Common wealth
is most generous in it's support of
the State Educational Institutions,
and gives annual support and large
ONS"oAVh"A uPpANptiobiVh0 hN'
buildings and improvements to
the University, the Virginia Mill
tary Institute, the Virginia Poly
technic Institute, the Normal
ST hool of William and Mary, the
Female Normal College at Farm
vile, the colored Normal at Peters
burg and Hampton Institute.
The Virginia Milit"ry Institute
has had this year a Cadet Corps of
200, and has sent out of its ranks
a class of nearly fifty Tanly-look-
ing young men. 1t was privi-
lege to stand before them on the
Sunday of the final exercises and
deliver them a message from the
one Book of divine authority. 1t
was an inspiration to look into
their faces, and we are not forget
ting the message; "Quit you like
men: be stronQ.n