Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1911-06-28
Y. N. |. IS PLACE
WHERE MEN ARE MADE
So Writes Maj. J. C. HemphiII in
Times-Dispatch
PAYS TRIBUTE TO WORK DONE
Training in Military Tactics and
Pursuits of Peace

education institutions of the South
the greatest military school of in
strucrion next to the United States
Military Academy at West Point
the Virginia Military Institute has
just completed its seventy-second
year with a wonderful record Of
wonderful achievement. Wednes-
day was graduation day at this great
school OF the soldier. Fifty-two
young men then completed their
four years course of study and re-
ceived from General E. w. Nichols,
the accomplished Superintendent Of
the Institute, their diplomas certify
ing that in the judgment of the Gov
ernor and the Academic Board they
were worthy of this high distinc-
ton.
General Wood was the most dis
ting1ished figure on this commence
ment occasion. He made a very
pleasant impression upon both the
officers and the cadets OF the Insti-
tute. and likewise upon the throng
OF people who assembled to do hon.
or to the Finals of this school. Fol-
lowing his presentation of the
medals with brief but particularly
appropriate address, the Chief Of
Staff OF the Regular Army urged
upon the Young men who had finish
ed their course the same sincere
devotion to the concerns of actual
life as had marked their career in
school, with the promise that III they
would so regard their work in So
ciety and the State as they had re-
garded their work in IT, class room.
and in the field. they would achieve
still further distinction and merit
the success awaiting them. In Sep
TENDER next the United States Army
will open the door for one hundred
young men OF proved capacity who
wish to enter the military service
of the country with official rank,
and the Chief of Staff hoped that
the class of 1911 at the Virginia
Military Institute would offer at
that time their services to the coun-
try. One of the members of this
class. Lieutenant L. T. Gerow, oil
Petersburg, who was the valedic.
torian of the class, will Immediately
receive commission in the army.
The year just closed at the Vir.
ginia Military Institute was a re-
markable one. At the grand parade
in honor OF the Chief of the Army
there were good many cadets
missing from the ranks who gave
promise when the year began o
completing their course with honor
There was mutlny at the Institute
during the year. The fate of tn,
school depended upon the way il
which it was handled, and the schoo
is all the stronger because in deal
ing with this emeute the authoritie,
dealt with both fairness and justice
1t will be many long day, it i
hoped, before another attempt viii
be made to resist authority. Ii
this way only can good soldiers b,
made and good citizens as well.
J. One of the most gratifying an
nouncements made at the Finals o.
Wednesday was that Joseph r. Ar
derson, of the class of 1870, ha
been made the historiographer {
: the Virginia Military Institute. !
= splendid citizen, an intelligent stu
>, :, dent. and loyal to all the best trad
tions of the Institute, no better ma
. could have been found for this SCI
.. vice, and no man who will serv
:, the school so well. The history {
= the Virginia Military Institute &C,
ers a long period.
s The Virginia Military Institu,
VI has passed through a good man
u vicissitudes since its establishment
T. the most painful of which was til
desolation OF it's temples by Davi
ID Hunter. who proved to the poop
Id of the Valley of Virginia by b
a heartless work the truth Of the ga,