Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1910-08-31
WILLIAM GRAHAMS LIFE AND EDUCATIONAL WORK
President George Denny Recoun the Stirring Events Life of
Educational Prophet Who Laid Foundations Of
Washington and Lee University


address Of DIR. George II. Denny.
in Courthouse. Lexington, July25. 1910,
on the occasion of presen tation Of por-
traits for the Courtroom
The county OF Rock bridge owes TO
itself no duty more sacred than
the duty to embalm in its memory
forever the name and the fame OF
William Graham, theolo-
gian, philosopher, constructive gen.
ius and educational prophet,-who
planted here no mere transient
academy, but succeeded in laying
the foundation OF great institution
OF learning, whose influence is felt
today across the seas and around
the world
Thirty-six years after the first
settlement of this county, Graham
came to this people q stranger from
Pennsylvania, young graduate Of
Princeton, class-mate of Light
Horse Harry Lee" in the class OF
1873; and in a log hut of a single
room, planted the germ out of which
has sprung a world famous college
thai expresses, in the highest form,
the ideal and the genius OF the stock
that has fashioned the life and
moulded the history of this county.
From 1874 to 1896 he presided
over the uncertain destiny OF 4
struggling academy, founded in
trOubleous times, and stoutly de-
manding the guiding hand of a
strong and devoted man. 1t is 10
the high credit of William Graham
that, forsaking all selfish reward,
through the perils of war and the
hardships of peace. in those early
testing days, he gave himself 10 a
cause that. in the end. has proven
itself 10 be, as he intended and de-
voutly laboured to make it, the
fou ntain source OF a rich and per.
ennial benediction to the people
when he loved, aud for whom he
labored for nearly quarter OF a
century.
Perhaps no one will ever know
how William Graham wrought and
suffered in this supreme battle OF
his life. 1t was battle Of
fortitude versus toll and hardship.
1t was no easy task to persuade
this frugal Scotch-Irish pc Dple (who
at least in those days early DAYS,
had earned the reputation of keep
ing, not only the Sabbath, bit
everything else that they could get
their hands on) that education is
an investment. and not an eXpendi
ture. But William Graham had
tested that people. He had learned
that. despite inevitable defects Incl
dent to all human nature, the
Scotch Irish stock was sturdy and
a heroic stock. He remembered
that it was this people, concerning
whom George Washington. in the
darkest hour Of the American Rev
olution. when the tide seemed set il
the direction of q disast Gus re treat
exclaimed to their undying honor
Give me but banner to plant or
the mountains Of West Augusta, anC
l will rally about it the men wh(
will lift our bleeding country from
the dust, and set her free
That was the type of manhood
that appealed to his great spirit
That was the strain OF people thai
he served; and that service
strengthened and glorified to the
end the life OF a man who, in poin,
of high character, great ability, and
superb devotion to duty. deserves
to rank among the foremost men oil
this county. and of this Common
wealth.
William Graham happily lived Il
see the struggling Institution that