Year: 1866

of slavery. He spoke of Adams, Warren,
Hancock, Ames, and others who had
grown up in slaveholding New England,
and asked the question Were their ma
lures "dwarfed by its poisonous inhu-
ences!' He next entered into sketch OF
the great men of Virginia and the promi-
nent part they had borne in all the great
eras of our country's history. He alluded
eloquently to the great men Of other south
ern States. In concluding these illusions
he said that he could not leave this branch
of his subject without passing reference
to the men and events Of the late unfortu-
nate and ill-starred war. He invited no
discussion he was looking for an answer
to the question whether the south was an
effete race, whose moral and intellectual
nature had been dwarfed by slaveryS


There were certain mental and moral
qualities which, by the common consent OF
mankind, were recognized as the standard
by which We were to judge of the cha
racter of men. Among these were CON-
prehension, generalship, profound strategy,
dauntless courage, heroic endurance, ra-
pidity of combination, celebrity of move
ment, and vigor in striking decisive blows.
These combined with Christian faith,
charity, humanity, and spotless purity OF
private life, 60 toward making the perfect
man. Assuming these as the standard OF
human excellence, might he not, without
disparagement to the merits of any, inquire
(after the passions Of the age should have
passed away whose names would shine
with purer lustre on the pages Of history
than those of Stonewall 1" Jackson and
Robert E. Lee?


When the Radicals of New England
should produce brighter array of names
than those to which he had referred, then
he would inquire into the causes of our
inferiority. Until that was done, discus
sion would be premature.


In answer to the question, "What of
the future ~ he would answer, be of good
cheer. He. was hopeful of the firmness
and patriotism of the Executive, hopeful
of the sober second thought Of the people,
and hopeful of the benignity Of the Great
Disposer of Events.


Reaction was the logical consequence Of
excess. The passions of men were fleet
ing, and they would subside with rapidity
proportioned to their excess. The inte-
rests of the American people forbade them
to indulge in the luxury Of prolonged po-
litical excitement.


Some were despondent in the idea that
the death of slavery had ruined the south.
1t was wiser to suppose that slavery, hav-
ing fulfilled its mission in cultivating and
preparing the soil for the occupancy of the
white man, was destined to determination.


To the young men he addressed himself
very earnestly, and spoke to them of the
important mission they had to perform.
In addition to turning their attention to
the development Of the resources OF the
State, it was their duty to care for the un-
fortunate and dependent race that had
been cast loose amongst us. There was no
blame to attach to the negroes. They had
been our nurses in childhood, the compa-
Mons of our sports in boyhood, and our
humble and faithful servants through life.
The ties that had bound them to us had been
rudely broken through no agency of theirs.
No pains should be spared to improve their
condition and qualify them as far as prac-
ticable for usefulness in our community.
Most Of those present had heard with
him, on the night before, the eloquent and
instructive address of the representative
of Jefferson Society Major DanieD. He
subscribed to all that had been said, and
hisremarks had suggested to him the pro-
priety of adding word in regard to the
relations of the educated classes to the
public opinion of the country.


Public opinion being but combination
of the individual sentiments of the mem.
bers of the community, the more intelli-
gence that was infused into it, the higher
4 1>a 70 cfa do ri vVaratnfnrn
educated masses had not performed their
duty to the country. They had too often
sought to ascertain how the current flowed,
and had been content to drift on its bosom.
This was grand error. The educated men
should be the masters, not the slaves of
public opinion. The vice Of modern
times was moral cowardice. The speaker
warned the young men Of the danger of
pursuing the course of pandering to the
tastes of the multitude. Their rule through
life should. be to be right, without regard
to the clamor of the public and after the
passions of the hour had passed away they
would enjoy the confidence of their coun-
trymen and the consciousness of duty
faithfully performed.


The people were always patriotic. They
always aimed to pursue the course best
calculated to advance the interests of the
country. When they err it is from igno-
rance, and not design. What noble office,
then, was it for young men of the country
to correct popular errors, tc dispel popular
prejudice, and to lead the public mind
into those channels which best tend to in
sure the welfare Of the whole country. .


In this peaceful field the young men
might achieve victories more glorious than
those of war. They might give new life to
the industry Of our people and add to the
sources of our national prosperity. Ifthey
would enter earnestly in the discharge OF
their higher duties they would earn last
ing claim to the gratitude of their country
men. And although it might not be their
fortunes


1.-THE applause Of listening senates to command"
it would be theirs


The threats OF pain and ruin to despise;
| To scatter plenty Der a smiling land,


And read your history In nations eyes"


At the conclusion of Mr.. Stuart's
address, the exercises were announced
as at a close, and in few moments
the hall was empty. The afternoon
was occupied by the students in get
ting ready to 60 home, and last evening
was spent in general leave-taking Of the
ladies. This morning the depot presented
a busy scene, and many and affectionate
were the good-byes passed between the
fellows of the University.


On the whole, the final celebrations at
the University this year were of most
brilliant character, and well may Virginia
look with pride upon her pet institution.
The orations of Messrs. Dunlop and Daniel
| [Who. hy the by. is son of Judge Daniell