The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-05-30
PROF. ". N. THORNTON'S ADDRESS At
. UNWILLING OF MONUMENT TO SOLDIER
] AND STATESMAN A GEM OF EL0QUENCE
Career of vrginas Champion in the United States Senate
and the Trying Days of Reconstruction and REIMBURSEMENT
Is vividly Portrayed-John w Daniel in War and
Peace.

never wavered: those manners, serious.
gracious, elaborate IL you please, but
full of Kindness and thought for others.
which can never really grow old or
pass out of fashion," even in our hur-
ried, hustling time.
The winged years sweep swiftly past
and soon a fresh picture Ereets our
view We see on the rostrum of the
Lynchburg Military College a hand
some youth OF sixteen years His in
born tastes for debate and declama-
tion have already declared themselves,
and John Daniel has0been selected to
still thrilling with the blood stained
story of Balaklava. when Daniel rose
TO his feet and with impassioned elo-
ouence recited to his auditors n poem
mortal Charge of the LIGHT Brigade"
Forward the Light Brigade"
Was there man dismayed?
Not tho the soldier knew
Some one had blundered:
Theirs not to make reply.
Theirs not TO reason why,
Theirs but to do and die;
Into the Valley OF Death
Rode the six hundred"
Already the souls of Virginians were
stirred by somber premonitions. and II
Ia easy to realize In fancy how these
splendid stanzas, hot from the heart
have pealed into their ears vaRu.
prophecies of the coming storm--of
Jackson and the s. newaii Brigade
of Lee and the Army of Northern Vir-
Rinia.
Two more years OF peace were
vouchsafed our country and in these
years Daniel gained new and price
less visions OF life and letters. From
1895 to 1s2s the great Latinist. George
Long. had Ia bored at the University of
Virginia 10 found school of the Gas
steal Languages and Literatures. When
he resigned his chair to return to Eng
land his mantle feel on the shoulders
of a young Vtrginian, the most bril-
liant Of HIS pupils, Gessner Harrison.
Thirty years of service for his Alma
Mater had left .Gessner Harrison poor
In purse, but rich In scholarship, In
experience, in the love OF his old stu
in the admiration OF men of learning
in the confidence of virginians and
OF the whole South. His extended
knowledge OF the educational situa-
him that great work awaited the man
who should establish a high-class
preparatory academy for students de-
sirous OF adequate training for a
he resigned hts professorship and or
ganized such an academy, occupying
for the first year rented quarters at
Locust Grove, near Greenwood, in AL
bemarie County. and then removing to
purchased estate called Belmont IN
Nelson County. Daniel with his high
ambitions was at once drawn to this
man, the greatest classical master OF
his generation in America Entering
the new academy. at Locust Grove and
following the headmaster to Belmont,
ne came under the inspiration of a
teacher of rare sagacity and power, a
man who added the graces of the
Christian TO helculture of the scholar.
We have no means after so many
troubled years of evaluating the spe-
cific influences of this school upon
Daniels intellectual tastes and modes
OF thought. One of the schoolboys of
that day writes thus pleasantly about
him:
Daniel As Roy.
John Daniels principal claim to
distinction at school was his wonder
full dexterity in the game of handy.
He was by all odds the best player
in the school. His other big activity
was in the debating society. and at
the end of the session he was the
orator. John Selden being the essayist,
Daniel had the same quality then as
subsequently of carrying away his au-
dfence by his rhetoric. his splendid
musical voice, and his wonderful hand
some features He was already an ac-
complished Aiocutionist"
Another school fellow, one Of his
more intimate friends. adds TO the lit
tie picture some very telling strokes.
John Daniel was a dignifIed youth.
but full of comradery. Yet he never
allowed this to interfere with his work
being good and close student. al
ready ambitious to fit himself for
There was ..neyer sauarer boys his