Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1909-03-10
DESERVED TRIBUTE TO THE
V.M CADETS

Of the Virginia Military Institute
everywhere that the appearance OF
the battalion of cadets of that in
stitution who participated in the
inaugural parade in Washington
last Thursday was received with
expressions of admiration, and
that General Bell, chief of staff,
United States Army. was uDstint-
ed in his tribute to the boys from
the Virginia school. 1t is likewise
gratifying that on every public oc-
casion the v. M. l. cadets can be
expected to win admiration and
commentator.
Following are some of the press
notices of the military bearing and
effectiveness of the V. M. /. boys
which have recently appeared in
the daily papers;
Washington Hearald; "a sim
liar smile lighted up his features
as the regiment from the Virginia
Military Institute passed. In
reality these cadets carry them
selves quite as we'll as those from
West Point, and it would take II
most skilled tactician to see points
in favor of the one or the other.
President Taft was quite as gener
Gus of his expression of good Will
toward one school as the other.
He seemed specially pleased at the
quick stride and perfect alignment
shown by the boys from the Vir-
ginia SCHOOL" .,..... ..... u
Lynchburg News: "The weight
and worth of General Bells tribute
cannot be properly measured, with
out bearing in mind the fact that
it proceeds from a man who is emil.
nently well situatedtO know where
of he speaks; who speaks indeed,
from standpoint of actual and pro-
longed observation, and who in
saving what he did about classify
ing young officers in the army. may
be regarded as giving expression
to a quasi official verdict-a quasi
government judgment-upon the
merits and standing of the Virgin
ia Military Institute. Virginia
and the South may well experience
sentiments Of genuine satisfaction
that this is so-that the famed in
stitution nestled in the hills of
noble old Rockbridge, is steadily
advancing IN the scale of national
recognition, and today as juttly
enjoys the distinction of superior
ity as when Stonewall jackson
taught within its walls and left
the Impress of his greatness upor
lite character and dignity"
Baltimore Sun: "The high opin-
ion of the Virginia Military Iusti-
tute expressed by Maj.-Gen. j.
Franklin Bell, of the United States
Army, is entirely justified by the
educational work of that famous
academy. The occasion was the
presentation of flag to the corps
of cadets in Washington on
Wednesday. -" The course of
study at the Virginia academy is
about as thorough as that at West
Point, and the ,ame high standard
of truthfulness, honor and patriot
ism 10 maintained. The only ad-
vsntages which West Point pos
eesses are those necessarily due to
greater pecuniary resources. "*"*
The banner which was carried in
the New Market fight. and CT which
.he one presented by the New York
alumni, through General Bell. is
copy, was carried by as gallant
party of boys as ever did honor to
any country. They were only
young boys, but when they were
ordered out to meet the veteran SOL
diers of the North who were invad-
ing their State they acquitted
es like men and the bravest
of the brave. It was an occasion
unique in the history of this coun-
try and an exhibition of heroism
which should be held in remem