Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1909-11-17
President Taft Paws Tribute TO
V. NJ. /. Cadets


The battalion of cadets of tn
Virginia Military Institute We
: additional honors for their soldier
y bearing last week on the triI
9 to Richmond on the cccaeion> o
President Taft's visit to that cit,
Wednesday, when the cadets occu
pied the place of honor and led tn,
greet parade. The young soldier
boys marched like veterans enc
D were given great ovaticns as they
passed block after block. CT admir-.
) ing spectators.
The review at Lee monument by
the President was an inspiring
scene. Grouped around the base
Of the monument wss Il small num-
her OF Confederate veterans. In
the line "first came the stal
wart boys from tie V. NJ. L."
says tie Times Difpatch. "snd
President Taft remem bered that
more than forty yesrs ago other
boys had gone forth from the same
institution and had been slaugh
tered at the battle of New Market.
Perhaps that is why be took such
unusual interest in them and re-
mem bered them afterwards in his
address in the City Auditorium"
The Presidents address in the
afternoon, which was delivered in
the City Auditorium, before
great audience that packed the
building, was plea for the oblit-
GRAFTON of all sectional lines. Com
ing as Republican President to
the former capital of the Confed-
eracy, Mr.. Taft brought the EN-.
blem of pence and prosperity, ask-
ing that the past be treated with
out forgetfulpess but without pre-
judice. In pursuance of this poll
CIV he warmly endorsed the pro-
ject for the establishment by the
whole people of great memorial
to General Robert 4. Lee, In the
form of school of engineering at
Washington d Lee University.
Prolonged applause, with tn.
long roll of the V. NJ. /. yell, rang
through the hall as President Taft
advan ed, smiling, to greet the
Richmond audience. The corrs of
cadets occupied front seats in
the hall. His first period ad-
dressed to Governor Swanson, at.
tested the popularity Of that off.
cial with the audience, as there
was great applause when his name
was mentioned. The President
said:
"While 1t has been my good
fortune to be welcomed to Virgin
ia soil number of times by your
distinguished Governor, 1 cannot
fail to express to him the graft
tude feel for making me always
et lone in Virginia. congtatu.
ate you on having such a Cover.
nor. Now that he is for the mo
nent about to retire to private life
10 enjoy a little hard earned rest,
t may be in order TO express the
hope that success will follow him
here. Virginia knows good
,hirg when she sees it, and his
elsure will not be drawn out too
eng.
IL am also idebted to the cadets =,
# the Virginia Military Institute :
or their rOusing and inspiring +.
Welcome. congratulate them On !,
heir military appearance as they
ave marched through the streets t
# this city today. AS the Secre-
ary OF War in former admins
ration, | came 10 know TINT we u
on the Virginia Military
institute as one of the two great "
Institutions of this country to fur
ish officers trained and equipped
0 lead our armies when the ex
gencies and dangers of war re- :,
uire US to call men skilled in II
rms to the defense Of the nation. :"
"T he cadets Of that institution y
ave always showed n sCldierly =
earing, following The type and
ieals Get for them by that great ",
Military genius, once professor "
the institute, Stonewall jack y y
IN, for whom they entertain, as N
ell they may, the highest respect e
I'D the fondest memory" "