Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1912-09-18
Or. Henry Louis Smith Addressed
University Assembly

of Washington aud Lee University,
made his first official address yes
teroay morning before the Student
Assembly. The exercises were held
in the Lee Memorial Chapel and be-
gan at ii o'clock. Seated on the
platform were members OF the facul-
tv and the local members OF the !
board Of trustees. The lower floor
was occupied by the student body, |
the freshmen entering the left door
and the old students the right door.
In the gallery were many visitors
from town.
Religious exercises were conduct
ed by Rev. William +. Locke, pas
tor of Trinity Methodist church,
W ho read the 18th chapter of LIST
Corinthians, and offered prayer.
DIR. Smith at once made a most
pleasing impression on his audience,
both students aud visitors. He is
an earnest and forceful speaker and
his words carry conviction.
BY way of preface DR.. smith said
that under the circumstances his
hearers might think that he felt
stl anger in this community, but
such was not the case. Although
he had never passed through Lex
ington until few months ago ex
cept as an infant in arms, still he
felt at home here, because Lexing
ton was the home of his ancestors.
He had been touched by the cordial
reception given him by members OF
the faculty and the townspeople at
large. Since eighteen years of age
be had been connected with colleges
and had been engaged in college
work. At that age he had entered
college, leaving home for the first
time. and was as raw a freshmen as
any before him 90 this occasion.
DIR. Smith assured his hearers
, that he had no prepared address Il
make, but that what he had to say
would be presented in a heart to
heart talk, under several heads.
, Washington and Lee, said he, was
, unhampered by reason of the fac
that it is not State institution, anC
. therefore not subject to ever-chang
ing political Influences and tickle
Legislatures. Washington and Le'
y draws her patronage not alone from
Virginia but from many States.
a The location here is fortunate, il
( the famed Shenandoah Valley, sur
:, rounded by imposing mountain
r with beautiful skies overbending.
The open homes to students i
v this community are influences 70
i good, and give tie young men
Q the University an entree into on
o best homes, where they are cordia
s ly received.
L Washington and Lee has gloriou
l. record. Founded by Presider
a Washington and administered b
l. General Lee the institution posses:
,. es a glorious career OF the past; bl
r the presence of the present studeI
Of body and the opportunities that /
a. before them, are still more gloriou
ID DR.. Smith declared that he b
a. lieves in an all round education, a
education of the body as we'll as
ii. the mind The believes in athletics {
le the gridiron, on the diamond, {
IS the tennis court, in the gymnasium
ar but not our gymnasium.
in The new president pledged to ii
DR. students entire frankness in all b
RS dealings with them. and told the
of whenever they wanted to know al
te thing to come and ask him, and
be would not deceive them, and VIII,
ip their parents wrote to him for info
al nation ht would not deceive the
OF He would be sincere with the
saying that the 18th of LIST Corr
as thians expressed his views, that
%, love.
in DR.. Smith announced the next {
We sembly to be held October 9TH, a
the discussion will be New Gy
id nasium.