The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-06-23
WHERE MEN ARE MADE.

two years one of the greatest educa-
tion institutions or the south-tne
creates, military school of instruction
next TO the United states Military
Academy at West Point-the Virginia
Military Institute has just completed
It's sevcnty-second year with won
derful record OF wonderful achieve
ment. "Wednesday was graduation day
at this great school OF the soldicr.
1fifty-two young men then completed
their four Years course of study ana
received from General T. W. NICHOLS,
the accomplished superintendent or
the Institute. their diplomas certify
ing that in the judgment of the GOV
ernor and the Academic Board they
We're worthy of this high distinction.
There were 1--WE young men In
the class who attained unusual hon
ors. The first of these was S.
\. Niillner. of Virginia. and the
others were ]. r.. N1ecredy, Vaughan
Camp, l.. l.. Trinkle and NJ r. Smith.
In addition TO the honors they nao
Won in scholarship and department.,
MIR. Mllner and Mr.. Mecredy we're also
the winners OF the jackson ii opc
medais-aIr Millncr OF the first mcdal
and Mr.. Mecredy of the second rhese
medals were presented by Major GEN
eral Leonard Wood, Chief OF the stair
of the United States Regular Army
mud ranking next to the President OF
the United States In the military ar
fairs of the Nation. In presenting
these medals 10 the brilliant young
mon who had won them by fair com
petition with their fellows. General
Wood said. as has already been re-
ported in these columns:
I'VE. the United States Army officers,
look upon the Virginia Military in
stitute as second only TO West Point.
We want 10 get as many OF you ms
We can in the army"
General Wood was the most dist1n-
snishcd figure on this commencement
occasion. He made a very pleasant
impression upon both the othcers and
the cadets of the Institute, and like
wise upon the throng of people VINO
assembled TO do honor to the Finals
Of this school. Following his nresen-
tntion OF the medals with n BRIEF bur
particularly appropriate address, tho
Chief OF STAFF of the Regular Army
urged upon the young men who had
finished their course the same sincere
devotion TO the concerns of actual life
as had marked their career in schooi.
with the promise that if they would
so regard their work In society and
the State az they had regarded their
work in the class room. and in the
field they would achieve still further
distinc,ion and'inerit the success await.
ing them. In September next the
United States Army will open the door
for one hundred young men OF proved
capacity who with to enter the
military service OF the country with
official rank, and the Chief OF
stan hoped that the class Of 1871 at
the Virginia Military Academ would
offer at that time their services 10 the
country One of the members OF TINS
class. Lieutenant L. T. Gerow, of Pc
tersbnrE. who was the valedictorian OF
the class. will immediately receive n
commission in the army,
The scene when air. Gcrow delivered
counsel to his comrades In arms was
most impressive. After lie had I'M
ished his discourse he was fairly mob
bed by his associates. who. with many
tears and hearty words Of arprecia-
ton. said good bye There vas nom,
Ing finer than III emotion cXhib;cd
by many of the graduating class t..on
winning their victory after four
years hard nahting with the text
books and the rules OF the Institute
and being adiudged Ivy the Aca-
dcmic Board worthy OF the great honor
Of graduation. AS the diplomas wer,
given to the cadets by the SUPER
intendent. each cade, in his ,urr
delivered tile diploma TO his motner
or to some other near relative pres
ent and their sense Of Joy was Sc
oyerwhe ing that 1T could ind ex-
preston only in tears; out as Henry
Timrod has written M
THE bravest are the tenderest.
The loving are the daring, !.
The year just closed at the yirGini;
Military Institute was a remarKanlt
ono. At the grand paracc in honor o
the Chief OF the Army. there were {