The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-06-15
VARSITY SCENE Of
ROUND OF GAYETY
Alumni Entertained at Barbecue
Judge Duke Serving as the
Toastmaster.
MEDALS ARE AWARDED
Justice Clark, of North Carolina, Pays
High Tribute to the state and
Statesmen Produced BY 1t.

Especial to The Richmond yirginian.l
Charlottesville. Va, June 14.-This
morning In the commencement cal.
endar at the University of Virginia
was taken up with the business meet
ings of the reunion classes and the
german Of the Delta Tau Delta Fra
+ternity, held in the Fayerweather
Gymnasium from IL A. M. to p. M,
with about fifty couples participant
ing.
This afternoon, led by Fishers
Band of Baltimore, the alumni
marched in a body to tSe barbecue
grounds. where. under the direction
Of Mr. william Garth. '91. the we'll
known horseman. this most delights
full of all Virginia entertainments
was served. Judge r. T. w. Duke. OF
this city, served as sort of informal
POSTMASTER for the occasion, and
many visitors were called on for ex-
tempore speeches and songs
Tonight. in Cabeli Hall. the WASH
ington and jefferson Literary So
cities hold their annual celebration.
Mr.. James Dabney Sandridge, OF
Doyiesville. Va, president Of the
Washington Society. presided, whiie
Mr.. Amos Valentine Pankey. pres'-
medals to the following.
Medals Awarded.
jefferson Society-Orator's medal.
to MFR. Benjamin Carter Taylor, OF
Richmond. Debater's medal, to Mr..
Harry Lee Carter, of Danville.
washing ton Society--Crator 9
medal. to Mr.. Elgie Gilbert Purvis, OF
Sandy Spring. Nd. Debater's medal
to Mr.. Purvis.
Then followed the presentation OF
MAGAZINE medals to the following;
= The Edgar Allan Poe priz7, for the
best short story, TO Mr.. Edward Carey
Eichelberger. of Baltimore.
The woodrow Wilson prize. for the
best essay, to Mr.. Linton Hampton
Baer. of Harrisonburg, Va.
The John r. Thompson prize. for
the best poem, to Mr.. Charles Edgar
Gillian. OF Petersburg. Va,
The Bryan prize. established by
william Jennings Bryan. for the best
essay on any topic connected with the
theory of government, was won by
Mr.. samuel r. Biting. of the Uni
yersitv. Subject OF essay-''The Mon
roe Doctrine. Principle of Self
Preservation"
The Colonial Danes prize, for the
best essay on any subject deailhs
with the history or literature OIL
Colonial Virginia. was won conjoin'-
" ny Mr.. Biting and James /" Cor
don. Of Staunton, Va. suotect--
Colonial Land Tenure and the siaS'
System"
The snbieet of Justice Clark's 40
dress was "The Causes Of virginia
Greatness" After speaking or WIZ
glnta's advantages by reason or Tvs
geographical position. its climate, the
nature of it's population. lis great
rivers and its size. he said There IN
one element in the cause or NirE'hia
predominance which. II seems 10 me.
has never received full credit nat
Is, while the people OF virginia VIZ :
socially artstocratfc, the warp ana
wont of the states population were
noliticaily republican. As far back as
Is4A virginia formulated eonstitn=
ton. the frst written document OF the
kind that the world has ever known
In which the sovereignty OF the peo
ris was asserted without any control
bv the mother country. Also, the
right Of suffrage by that instrument
was vested in every freeman. ~
speaks we'll for the independence ana
Intelligence OF the people OF this state,
that In the early stages of the com :
written constitution and manhood
suffrage.
Birthplace of Liberty.
"Tbe principles of the American
Declaration of Independence could
not have been successfully asserted
II they had not been the common prop
erty of the people of Virginia. they
had been discussed on many occasions
jim the Legislature. on the musings.
in the press--.and had met with cordiai
concurrence and approval on the part
of virginians. The virginia Ell ..
Rights drawn by George Mason. iatd
down the fundamental principles which
Jefferson sent forth to an asfonished
world in 1875. Those principles, how
ever. were familiar to all Vtrginians'
As Rishop Meade says. For $50 years
Virginia had been hghting the contest
for American liberty.
NO small part of the greatness oil
virginia has come. therefore, from the
intense prosressiveness of her people
which had been illustrated in their
daily lives. expressed In legislative
enactment and which was given 70
the world at Philadelphta-
Equal to Opportunities.
your state has had many advan-
/ tases bestowed on her by nature and
Nv the course OF events. The highest
! ana truest compliment that can be
paid virginians is that you have al
ways been equal to your opportunities
/ Your natural advantages without the
noble qualities Of your people would
/ not have brought you greatness. Your
intense conviction of the right of
people to govern themselves found
highest expression In civil life In the
futterances of Henry and of JEFFERSON:
1 in the feld OF action. by Washington
and Lee and jackson. Virginia has had
uncounted other noble sons whose
names will be an ever living reminder
to your people in all the years that
are to come.
! "svirginiAns. your past At least is
secure. Nor chance, nor the hand OF
man. nor time. nor fate itself. can
/ change that Your future Is what the
/ young men of Virginia today snail
. 4