The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-12-18
PROF. RUSSELL'S SPEECH
In Presenting Cup To Mr.. Goolrick.

The following is the full text Of the
speech delivered by Prof. +. Ii. Rus
sell in presenting the loving cup to Mr.
c. O'Conor GOolrick, during the Nor
NAL School exercises at the courthouse
Tuesday afternoon:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
TO the lot of the average man there
falls many disagreeablc duties,
but happily not all Of life is displeasure,
and even 10 all of us there sometimes
come privileges ladened with pleasure
that is to be envied. Such, | assure
you, my friends, is the pleasure of this
moment to me. 1t has been said a
prophet is not without honor save in
his own country, but for my part | am
satisfied to rest my estimate Of man
and his service upon tho opinion or the
people with whom he lives and comes
IN daily contact. In my feeble way it
is Joy to speak the heart-throbs Of
the people OF this community IN pre-
senting 10 one Of our hOnOred citizens
a token of esteem and appreciation Of
the people Of Fredericksburg for the
valuable service that he rendered as the
Representative Of this district of the
last legislature Of this commonwealth
in his successful labors to secure for
Fredericksburg the establishment Of
what is destined to be one of Virginia $
prOudest and most useful educational
institutions. Anyone familiar with the
public life of Virginia knows that it
rarely occurs that young man, during
his first term Of service in the leglsla-
tUre, manifests more decided ability and
makes a more marked impress upon
that honorable body than did the Hon.
C. O'Conor Goolrck, of Fredericksburg.
Last week was talking with Sena-
tor, who asked me about GoOlrick. He
was a Senator of long experience, a
close observer of legislative work. and
| was impressed with his remark when
he said, that | shall never forget
the magnificent fight that young
man made TO secure that Normal
School; he displayed tact, tenac-
ity, and ability that has seldom
been seen on the part of a first year
man in the capitol of Virginia. ! tell
you, my friends, that this is record of
which any man may justly feel proud.
During that memorable contest | was
in intimate touch with your honorable
member, and the very efficient member
from Stafford, Mr.. Moncure. | am
speaking from the information drawn
at close range when | say it was a
victory that surprised Virgidia, that
surprised the people who were COM
batting il and surprised the very legis-
lature itself. | unite my voice with
the voices of this community in acclaim
ing all honor to such service. The peo-
pie of fredericksburg, from the fullness
of their hearts, wish To present this
magnificent cup to her honored son in
recognition Of the manner in which he
performed his duty as a member of the
legislature Of l9O7-08, and cared for
the interest Of Fredericksburg, and
the interests Of the entire State.
My dear sir, this cup in itself is in
no degree commensurate with the es-
TEEN and confidence and good will of
our people for you, but the spirit with
which il comes should strengthen the
heart Of any man with pride and en-
dear him with a reciprocal tie to he
people who esteemed him so highly.
charge you to accept it as coming from
the hearts Of our people. ladened with
their highest appreciation Of the past
and good will for the future. And in
the retrospective moments of your
future life, may it serve the purpose of
binding you with hoops of steel to the
associates Of your early manhood, your
true and strong friends of today, and
impress upon you the grand fact that
he who does his duty does il not in
vain; and may it serve again to inspire
you to so faithful a performance of
your duty that your measure OF success
may continue as great or even greater
than that which has crowned your efforts
in the past.
Take it, keep it, cherish it, and let il
ever prove an incentive to so influence
your life and service that your fellow
citizens in after years may join in
proud acclaim with your fellow citizens
of today, "well done, thou good and
faithful servant"