Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1909-06-16
Alumni Association Addressed
by Hon, w. III. Ellis

uateu from the law school OF
Wushingtc and Lee University in
1889, addressed the University
Alumni Association last night.
Mr.. J. Lewis Bumgardner of Beck
ley, w. Va, presided and intro
duced Mr.. Ellie. The distinguished
speaker held the undivided atten-
tion of his large audience through
out his splendid address.
Mr.. Ellis was cordially greeted
on the occasion of his visit here
this commencement. The Sigma
Mu fraternity of which he is a
Der, rendered him a lunch
Tuesday afternoon. A large mum.
Der, probably thirty, of his old
classmates are in attendance upon
the commencement exerclees this
year.
Mr.. Ellis spoke in part as follows:
sit is juet twenty years ago this
week since stood upon this plat
form, IN this dear old chapel, to
speak for a graduating law class
OF Washington and Lee. Alexan-
der Dumas wrote great book once
called Twenty Years After, and
[ can think of no better subject for
what / shall say to you tonight.
"Many things, ny friends, have
happened to you and to me since
that other June day In 1889. Sone
of you have been born. Others,
who were children then, now have
children of their own. Perhaps
most Of us who are here this even
ing have known, in these twenty
years. some of the sweetest joys OF
life and, l think it may be SAID
with certainty, that there is no one
among US who, since 1889, has not
felt some great sorrow.
"And yet, in this presence to-
night, can get no sense OF Tue
passing years. Hero in this his
toric seat of learning tar from the
madding crowds ignoble strife,
far from the worlds broad field
of battle, l feel the same spell OF
gentle culture and of noble aim
that once touched the heart OF
early manhood. 1t is true that
miss many old familiar faces.
miss the splendid man of dignity
and duty, then the President OF
the University, Gen. Custis Lee
[ mise the strong, yet tender
southern gentlemen With the heao
of scholar and the heart of
child. who was the dean Of the Law
school, dear old John Randolph
Tucker. l miss those men of chlv
airy and devotion, Profs. jim
White and Harris and Dr.Quarles
And yet, ] see many sti,l who wer'
here twenty years ago, and the or
unchanging feature is the peren
NAL youth end beauty Of Virginia
womanhood. Those who were her
twenty years ago look no older to
night than they did then. and tn
younger generation of Lexington
girls, WHOM l see for the first tin
bid fair TO work tie same swee
agony in the hearts CT the student
and cadets as did the maidens o
that other day."
Mr.. Ellis reviewed briefly som
OF the numerous changes that hav
taken place in the past twent,
, years iu politics and public life
in expansion Of the public domain
: in the growth in population fror
O,OOO, 900 to 1000, O00,in wealt
and industry, from $50, 100000
900 to double that amount in th
score of years, in manufe cturint
prod acts, in education, in discov
cries and inventions, in sanitation
, in philanthropy and material pros
perity.
1.-THE great things done al
orly M earnest of the create
things to do. OF all ages this
the best age. OF all centuries tn
: is is the best century. OF all yeal
6 this is the best year. or all cay
this is the best day. We stand t
, night upon the mountain heigh'
Of time. Behind US is the mIt
= night of the centuries. Before |
Is the dawn of the eternal morl
ing.
"What part will you take, N
friends of Washington and Lee,
8 these duties of the future? Do n
8 be spectator or an eavesdropper
@ the game of life. Take your plat
;. and do your part like a brave an
y honest man.
" This is my message to you: \
l. man liveth unto himself alon
. Each is responsible to his col
It science and his country for the pa
, he takes in the work of the world
n "And now, my friends, if l we
;. to describe in one phrase the spir
:. of these twenty years that ha'
passed since we met at WashIngt(
4 and Lee l would say that, mo-
Il than all else, they mark an epot
:, of genuine national unity
Sunday School Institute Me-
g Friday