2 10 12 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Speeches Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Citadel Archives & Museum Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Materials in The Citadel Archives & Museum Digital Collections are intended for educational and research use. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright. For more information contact The Citadel Archives & Museum, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, 29409. Description An account of the resource Speeches in this collection were given at Citadel commencement ceremonies and literary society events by Citadel affiliates and invited guests. Subject The topic of the resource Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived RC Speeches Relation A related resource Speeches Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/collections/show/11 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Speech for Commencement by the S.B. Jones and Samuel Dibble, July 4, 1888 Subject The topic of the resource South Carolina Military Academy--History--19th century Military education--South Carolina--Charleston Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina Description An account of the resource Typewritten version of the address given by Hon. Samuel Dibble at the 1888 commencement of the South Carolina Military Academy. It is preceded by a brief address delivered by Rev. S.B. Jones. Dibble stresses the need for a viable public education system in the state., Typewritten version of the address given by Hon. Samuel Dibble at the 1888 commencement of the South Carolina Military Academy. It is preceded by a brief address delivered by Rev. S.B. Jones. Dibble stresses the need for a viable public education system in the state.<br /><br /><h3><a target="_blank" href="http://lcdl.library.cofc.edu/lcdl/catalog/lcdl:35086" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Click here to view this item on the Lowcountry Digital Library.</strong></a></h3> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dibble, Samuel Jones, S.B. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Citadel Archives & Museum Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1888-07-04 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Materials in The Citadel Archives & Museum Digital Collections are intended for educational and research use. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright. For more information contact The Citadel Archives & Museum, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, 29409. Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/items/show/353 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived RC Speeches Relation A related resource Speeches Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Charleston (S.C.) Date Valid Date (often a range) of validity of a resource. 1880-1889 https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/39779/archive/files/9a44b20fc582989ccc283e031d4c5894.pdf?Expires=1792627200&Signature=IbZfj0udcjp0dvHxifrbBIewX88IumfunxisV0So3nrVpPT6oBYA88CoItzixYTLvnglS9aXgOvY69AXmCP2gvYSQdSs1HB8YiEZ7pUOZSdp7uXeZCYlvWEBLcTMr6jl2WGtNnxtE-W5TrqAu1e-C3VDDKTTy%7EQ%7EACTa1w687ixA0cRQqs6VX3lh4W8NOrq4GqocxsiMj2wvPOVCccRgaEQCYjG3Bgk49FGI4oVHmRtdNbZw5rp%7ETDIgdBlWGNm4Q4sFOX2oSPX61%7EQ1IwfoTkTQd3zHVD5fQm8pkVOFG7CAtSjxgqXQfQubJGUV6z8lg9Hmhra06GJCgilG%7Eo7wPw__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM ac85dd60fec0ebf7d822af1c02a30de9 PDF Text Text COL. J.P. THO~iAS' ORATION. -,.=:;~t C:::1p; y,\ · V ;' ~ " ' THE PUBLIC CO M1\1EMORATION OF THE RE - ESTABLIS-I- '.IENT OF D 220 FEBRUARY , J883, UxDER THE AusPICES AND oF TH 1 "'\ SHI NG TO~ Lr GII 'l' lxFAK'l'RY, :i; VA P unu sn:rm BY O R DE R OF TH E CORP S. CHARLESTON , S. C. · ALKER, EV ANS & COGS\VELL , PRINTERS. w• Nos. 3 Broad and 109 Ea st Bay Streets. 1883. ��THE SOUTH CARO NA MILITARY LI ACADEM Y The intimacy ex isting bet wee n the Battalion of Citadel Cad ets and th e Wa shington Light Infantry, from 1842 t o th e period of th e war bet wee n t he States, ha s bee n held in p leasant memory by that Company and by the Cad ets. It was most natura l th ere fore that t he Washin gton Light Infa ntry should h ave indulged th e h ope of th e earl iest revival of th e Acad emy, and it has used th e whole of its influence in se cu rin g this end. In celebrating th e re -openin g of the St ate Military Academy by the public cerem onies of th~ 22d F eb ruary , I 883, every o,ne connect ed with th e Wash in gton Li ght Infantry felt grateful prid e in knowin g th at th eir corps had don e its part in securing this splendid result. In th e orders of the Comp any, for th e public receptio n of General H amp to n, on the occasio n of hi s first entry into Charl eston, as Governor of South Carolina, April 18th, 1877, is this parag rap h: "The stan dard presented by th is command to the Ba ttalion of Citadel Cad ets, 22d Februar y , 1857 , ha vi ng bee n loan ed, by Col. J. P. Thomas , of th e Carolina Military In stitute, is hereby annou nced as the Company Colors for this parade, a mark of resp ect to the sur vi ving g raduates of th e Citade l Academy.' ' It is now a subject of prop er pri de with th e Washington Li ght Infantry, that, when oniy a rifle club, without commi ssions for its officers, on the very first occasion of triumph, after long years of misrule, th e Citadel Cadet Flag sh ou ld hav e bee n there conspicuouly disp layed, as a sy mbol of the pa st, and as a hop e for the futur e. Again, in the following • �4 year, we find the corps early at work fixing public attention in South Caroli na, and dedicating th e 22d F ebruary, I 879, to th e cause of th e res uscitation of the Citadel Academy. The following correspondence has an added inte rest now: "\VASH INGTON LI GHT IN FANTRY ARMORY, CnARLESTON C., October 1st, 1878. , S. To MAJ. HU GHS . T no:vrPSON, SuPERI:N"TEXDEXT OF EnucATIO~, Columbia, S. C. Sm :- The "\ ashington Light Infantry, in accordance ,vith V their anci ent usa ge, propose commem orating the approaching anniversary of "The Father of his Country." From the date of their organization down to the present time, save whe n prevented by uncoi1trollable exigences, they have sought some :fit expos iti on in theil' beha lf to po rtray on this day the character and spir it of Wa shin gton, and to impress the same upon t h e maturing youth, and th e ard ent and plastic membership which make up th eir ranks. The wholesomeness of their cour se has been vindi cated by the frnit it has borne. The march of events is ever bringing for solution the consideration of appeals taking strong h old up on the popnlar heart, and tihe opportunit y of weighing these in the scales of him who, thank God, st ill r ema in s "First in the hearts of his countrymen," ha s often been improved on this day, to the accomp lishment of results making yet m or e dear to us our own local ann iver sa ry . In the effort to r esto re to our b eloved State some of those agencies which so mini stered to her well bein g in former days, the reestab lishment of "the Citade l Acad emy ," excites the ,varmest interes t. All of our sen iors re eal.l with prid e the efficient nursery which it proved itself for ensuring an edncation in a large de gr ee , such as lifted old J oh n Milton's son!,-' that comple te and generous educ ation wh ich fits a man to perform justly, skilfully and magnanimou sly, al l the offices, both pri ,·ate and public, of peace and war." 'l'o the h ea rts of the ·washington Lig h t I nfantry , the r esuscitat ion of thi s instituti on is especially dea r. 'I'he golde n days of yore are oft en recalled and qui ckened again int o li fe by the recolle etion of an inte rcourse, and a clasped brotherho od, whi ch we won Id not'' willingly let die ." ,vhat day, then, so opportune for plea din i the r eo rganizat ion of this academy as the 22d of February, our o,vn anniver sa ry and the natal day of George "\Vashingt on Who so :fit to present its claims to the pe ople of South Carolina as the son of you r Alma Mater, who in the \.York he is now doing at the summons of the Stat e, is amply illustrating the precious ness of that seed whi ch the Citadel Academy iwp la nted. It gives ns , therefore, gr eat pleasur e to convey to yo u, on behalf of the "\Vashington Light InDEAR �5 fantry, an invitation to be our spok es man, and to plead on our coming anni ver::;ary, the re-e stab lishment of the Citadel Aeademv. "\Vl\I. A. COUR'l'EXA.Y, Captai n Command:ngW. GEORGE D. BRYAN, 1st Lientenant, ALEX. W. l\IARSHALL, 2nd Lieutenant, W. L UCAS SIMO.XS, 2nd Junior Lieutenant, GEORGE 13. E D\VARD S, Lientenant and Q. lVI., A. '1'OO:'II R PORT ER, Ch ap lain , E Fl ·L\:i'\CIS L. PARKER, :: D., Su rgeon , \1. 'iV. D. PORTER, Seni or Ex-Capta in, C. H. SD I OX'l' OX, Ex-Captai n, JAS. COXXER, Ex- Capt W. L. I., and J A::\1ESSD1OX S, H onorary Member, J ,\i\1E8 l\f. CARSO:'.\, Ex-Capt. W. L I., and HEXRY S. TEW , H onorary Member, R. C. GILCHRIST, Ex-Capt . JOHN SON HAGOOD, Horiorary Member, A. 0. AXDREWS, Honorary Membe r, A. C. HASKELL, Honorar y Member, Co~DIITTEE COLU ;\IBIA, CAPT - ·w~r. A. Coun.TE~ AY, OF lNYITATION, L . I., &c . S. C., October 16th, 1878. Comrna11ding Trashington Light I nfantry: D1 ARSm :- I have the h on or to aeknowledge the re ceipt of a com, muni cati on from you and othe r gentlemen, r ep resent ing t):1e Washington Li ght In fantr y, in viti ng me, on beha lf of the Company, to b e your spok esman on ?Ollr comin'..!" anniver sa ry , and to plead the re-establi sh me nt of the Citadel AC'ademy. I might well hesitate, did the acceptan ce of th is hi gh h onor reqnirc rne to attempt to follow in the paths which, for nearly three-quarters of a een tnry, on each r ecur ren ce of this anniver sa ry . h ave been trodden by the dist ingui shed orato rs who have taught the lessons of courage ~wd pat riotism ·which the , i ashington V Light Infantry h aYe so nobly ili nstrat cd in peace and war. Bu t the subject which you haYe ass ign ed m e makes yo ur invit ation seem to be the call of duty. In tho dis char ge o f this dut y it will be a grateful privilege to re call some of the in cid ents o f that" clasped brotherhoowi," whi ch so long existed between the Washington Light Infan try and th e Corps of Cadets, and to re\· ivc mem o ries which must ever excite in t he mind s of the survivors of both commands emotions of pleasur e and of pride. Your a ct ion in devoting yonr anniversary address to a commemoration of what the Citade l Aca,demy has done for South Carol ina, thu s bringing prominently before the public mind the importan ce of its re-establi shment, will be r ecogniz ed by all who formerly wore the uniform of the Cadet , not only as a gr_a eful tribnte to old associations, but c as evidence that the members of the ashington Light Infantry ,v �6 are stil1 animated, as in the pas t, by devoti on to the high est interest of the State. In re spo ndin g to your call, I shall pl ea d as ea rn est ly as I am able to do, the cause whieh yon haye chosen, and I sh all <lo so wit h th e consciousness that th e snbjeet is one, no ma tt er by whom prese nt ed, t hat will always command th e ear nest atten tion of the .. Washi n gt on -Light Infantry . Permit me to express to you, and t hro ugh yon to the gent lemen who j oined in the invi tat ion, rny thanks for th e ve ry kin d manner in which you have been pleased to conve y to me the wishes of the company. Your obedient servant , HUGH S. 'rl-IOlVIPSOK. \ A/hen the Genera l Assembly of South Carolina, on th e 30t h January, I 882, ratified the Act re-op ening the Acad emy , t h is corps agai n took prompt action, looking to th e public co mm emoration of this event , so im portant to the future educa t ional life of the State. It dedicated th e 22d February 1883, as an occasion of public cong ratulation, at the re-es tab lishm e nt of th e Aca demy. \ VAsIIINGT O~ LIGHT CHARLESTO);, CoL. J . P. '1.'HO)IAS, I NF. \~TRY Am! oR Y, s, c., September 30th, 1ss2. · Charleston, S. C.: D EAR Srn:-At a reeent meeting of the Wai-hington Li ght I nfantry , preparing for their approaching anniversary, it was r esolve d, that the day be devoted to an expr ession of the gratification wh i<' thi s corp s h expe rience in th e re-openin g of the Citadel AC'ademy. The close relation s existing, for so man y years, between the Battalion of Cadet s an<l th e \Vashin gton Light Infan try, are amo ng t.he t reasured associations of that Company . 'l'h ey desire, in t he most puhlic way, to celebrate the re-ope nin g of t h e Citade l Academy, and to wbb. it Goel speed on a brilli ant ar:icl useful career. To accomplish th is purpose, they ran select for the occasion no orator more appropriate to it t h an yourself . A life long friend or ed ucation , in your own person, you are an exponent of the fruits of" ni gher edu cation ." A distiugnished graduat e of the Citade l Academy, your life h as demonstrated wha.t it ca n do for the State . The present h ead and rep resentati Ye of the In stitut ,on , called to the posit ion by th e vote of, its closest friends, you can best speak of, and for it . �7 We are instrnct ed , by t h e unanim ous vote of the ·\Vashin gt on Light Infantry to in vite you to deliv er th e orat ion on their a nn iversary , 22d February, 1883, and re spect fully extend to you thi s invitation. Very trul y , yo urs, ALEX. W . MARSHALL, Cap tai n. CHAS . H . SIMONTON, Ex-Capta in . "'\ M . A. COU R'rEN AY, Ex-Captain. V R. C. GIL CH RIST , Ex-Captain. G . D. BRYA N, Ex-Captain . S. C. M.A . AT THE CITADE CnARLESTON, C., October 5th, 1883. L, S. Capt. ALEX. W . MARSHALL, Commanding Washington Light Infantry: Ex-Captains CnAs. I-I. SIMONTON, WM. A. COURTENAY, C. GILCHRIST, R. G. D.BR YAN: GENTLE)rEN :-As represen.tati-ves of the Washin gton Light Infantry, you have summon ed me to an hon orabl e d nt y. To appear before your corps, as its sele cte d speaker, on th e occasion of an anniv ersa r y, dedicated to t he commemoratio n of the re-ope nin g of this Academy, involves a hi gh r esponsi bi lity . I accept the office; and l sha ll seek to do my part in making the occasion sub se r ve a useful purpose. Allow me t o tender my acknowledgment for the kindness of your per sona l reference. Your s si ncer ely, J . P . THOMAS . In publi shing herewith the eloq uent add r ess of th e orat or of the day , for th eir recen t anniversary, they have reali zed t h e summit of t he ir hop es i11this r egar d, and th ey t r ust , that from ge nera tio n t o generation, the co rps of Citadel Cadets will continue to exist , and tha t its graduates in the futur e, as in the pa st, will illu st rate th e hi ghest typ es of cit izenship. The birthd ay ceremo ni es took pl ace in the Acade my of Music, Capt . Mar shall presiding, and th e public interest was exp resse d in one of the la rgest and m os t app rec iative a udi ences �8 ever ga th ered in th at spac ious build ing-; every seat b eing occup ied, and many standing . Th e pro ceec ings were opened as cu stomary, with a pra yer .b y th e R ev. W . F . Junk in, Chaplain of th e Fourth Brigad e. In behalf of th e Corps, Capt . Mar shall th en introduc ed Col. C. H. Simonton, who had bee n specially requ ested to pr esent th e orat or of th e day, which h e did in a n eloquent addr ess, Col. Thom as on . rising, was rece ived with the warm est demonstration s of welcom e. • �• CoL. THOMAS~ ORATION. - - --On thi s day, iink ed with t he memory of the wise c1t1z ensoldi er , to whom hi story has a wa rd ed th e ti t le of '' Fath e r of his Cou ntry,'' we are_as se mbl ed und er th e auspi ces of a publi c spiri te d co r ps , bearin g his name , to comm emorat e th e rees tablishm ent of one of Sou th Carolina 's schools of hi g her edu cation. Nor is th e res urr ectio n of th e Ci ta del Aca demy inappropriat ely a ssociat ed with th e na t ivity of W as hin gto n. since, as has bee n we ll sug geste d, it wa s a sub lime s ubo rd inat ion to auth ority and duty tha t made h im, in his day , th e • for emo st man of all th e earth . No se lf-imp ose d champion sh ip do I as s ume in th is da y 's obs e rva nces. My warr ant lies i n th e app oint ment with which I am honored . Commi ssion ed to speak of and for th e C itadel, while realizin g my r esp onsibilit y, I cannot but reg ret my inability to mak e a pr oper pre sentm ent of th e hi gh a rgument. T he t ime has g on e to recount t he p ast of the South Carolina M ilitary Acad emy . That past has bee n writt en and has bee n reh earse d . The birth of th e Ac ademy , in r 843; its care er for m o re than on e -fifth of a cent u'ry; its s uspension in 186 5, am id th e flam es, and th en th e shad ows of our defeated cause , all this is upon reco rd . How in th e beginnin g the ripe th o ught of Richard son gav e it inc eption ; how th e ge nius of J a mison mould ed it ; how the ju dg m ent of Jon es sustained it ; ho w t he earn es t lab ors of its corps of t ea ch ers de velop ed t he go odly fabri c; how the car eer of its sur vivin g son s has illu str ated it ; hoiv th e blood of its h ero ic dea d has mad e it in me mor y cons ecrat e forev er : th ese are fact s th at ha ve pa ssed into hi story . Leav in g, th en, unr epe at ed her e th e tr ibut e du e to the rep r ese ntativ es, livin g and dead , of the Academy, passing by the �10 s tory of its rich fruitage in peace and in war, we turn to consider the era of its restoration . Twelve years had pass ed after the disbandment of · the Cadets of the South Carolina Military Academy, Arsenal and Citadel, befor e any organiz ed effort was made for it s revival, It was on the occasion of the first meeting of graduates, resident in and around Charleston, S . C., which led to the reorganization of the A ssocia tion, that the initiatory action was taken which culminate d in the re-establi shment of the South Carolina Military Acad emy. This memorable gathering was held in April, 1877, at the Charleston Hotel. From the of-fic minutes of the m eeti ng, ial signed by the Secretary, we ta k e the following extract : " I n response were present : to a publi shed call , the following graduates J. H. Swift, T. E. Strother, F. L. Pari<er, C. I. Walker, S. B . . Picke ns. B. B. Smith, W . E. Stoney, A. Doty and A. H. Mazyck. . Th e meeting was organized by Mr. J. H . Swift being called to t he chair, and Mr. A . H . Mazyck being requested to act as Secre tary. At the requ est of the chair, Co l. C. I. Walk er stated that the object of th e meeting was for the purpose of endeavoring to effect the re-o rga nization of th e Association of Graduat es of the South Carolina Military Academy, and for taking into consideration such meas ures as sh ould be deemed advi sable, looking to the recovery of th e Citad el, a nd to the re-opening of the Military Academy. Upo n motio n of Dr. Francis L. Parker, it was reso lved that a committee be appointed to corres pond with other graduates 11pon the subject of re-organization, to enquire into the present status of the Cita de l, a nd to consider such measures as might be brought before tho Legisla ture of the State at the next me eting, with a view to re -open the Academy . Th at this committee repo rt at a called m eeti ng, to be h eld at some future day, prior to a proposed general meeting of the graduates, t o be held in th e Fall. �11 The chair appointed tbe following committee under this resolution: P . F. Stevens, C. S. Gadsden, A. H. Mazyck, F. L. Parker, C. I. Walker, S. B. Pickens, S. C. Boylston." It is due to the truth of hi story to say that this was the first step in the direction of the restoration of the Academy. It is due to th e justice of history to place upon record the nam es of the graduates who were p· oneers in the good i cause. The work thus begun was energe tically followed up . The Association of Graduates and Ex-Cadets, upon its organization in December, I 877, addressed itself with earnestness to the scheme of restoration. Some there wer e with faith to project, some with hope to inspire , some with energy to exe cute . Generous friends, outside of the Citadel brotherhood , and yet in hea rty sympathy w ith it, lent their valued aid. And chief among them, that hi stor ic corps, whose patriotism gives rise to this occasion, uti lizi ng the eloquence of a distinguished gra duate of the Citad el, mad e, through him, a public plea for its revival. The Citadel m en, as they were call ed, labored with tact and vim. Tl1ey moulded public opinion. They invoked the influence of the press . They organized victory . The appeal was made to the L egis lature. Here the strong arguments of the le g is:ator der ived increased strength from the zeal ~orn of alum,nat memori es. The re s ult was that the casting vote of the Pr es id ent of the Senate, John D. Kennedy, saved th e bill of re-establishment, and thus, in January, 1882, the re-opening of the South Carolina Military Academy was decreed, The Board of Visitors, charg ed with th e high trust involved, acted with prompt vigor. Making the most of the meagre resources at command, the Board put the Citadel Building, marr ed and mutilated, upon its renovation. The academic organization was effected . The in stitution was equipp ed. By October 2d, 1882, it was made ready for its acad e mic bu siness, and on that da y the enrollme nt of cadets began . Soon the Academy was filled to its utmost capacity. �12 When one hundred and eighty (180) cad ets, re pr esenti ng every county in th e State, had been admitted, the authorities closed the door , and th e work of th e reviv ed Academy bega n. The old Citad el, new born, was its elf again . And thus we are brought to the qu es tion that it is proposed to make the subject of this address : What is th e distinctiv e work that is to be done under th e unfurled ensign of th e Citad el Academy ? \Vhat are th e peculiar fea tures of the syste m that underlies th e schoo l ? Should I succeed in g ivi ng a sati sfactory an swer to this query, then shall hav e acc0mplished my pur pose , which is not to seek oratorical p res t ige , but to ma gni fy thi s occasion by turning it , as far as in me lies , to a purpose use ful to th e Academy, and us eful to the State . \,Vhat is it, and what is it not? As to th e curriculum of th e Academy, it may be rema rk ed th at while this embraces a lib eral course in Mathem atics, Engineering, Drawing , Book-Keeping , . Physics, the Mod ern Langu ages, French and German, Belles Lettres , Et-hies and His to ry, it is conceded that the leading idea is to inv est with supreme im po rtan ce th e scie ntific element. The meaning of words is an important thing, but far more; important is th e m ea nin g of thing s. While, ther efo re , the Acad emy challenges not th e wisdom of other method s of men tal training and institutes no comp<1.risonbetw ee n the severa l sys tems whi ch seek by different roads to reach th e same goa l, it pref ers to accept the sugges tion of a profound think er · on the subject of education, who, at the clos e of an able argument, says ; "Thus to the question with which we set out-wha _ t knowledge is of the most worth ? The uniform reply i~science. Thi s is the verdict on all th e count s. For dir ect self-preservation or the maintenance of life and health, the all important knowledg e is-sc ience . For th at indirect self-preservation, which ,ve call gaining a livelihoo d, the knowledge of greatest valu e is-sc ience. For th e due discharge of pa ren tal function s the proper guidance is to be found only in-science. For that interpretation of nat ion al life, past and prese nt, wit h- r �13 out whicli th e citizen cannot right ly r~gulate hi s conduct, th e indisp ensable k ey is- sc ience. Alike for the mo st producti ve and the highest enjoyment of art in all its forms, the needful preparation is still- scie nce. And for purposes of discipline, intellectual, moral and religious, the mo st efficient study is, once more- sc ienc e.'' Whii e, how eve r, we hold with the same author , that in the family of knowledges, science, though the hou se hold drudge, is really high er in worth and beauty, than any of h er haughty sis ters; yet, after all, it is not its curriculum that mak es the chief characteristic of the South Carolina :Military Academy. It is freely admitted that our math emat ics, drawing , engine eri ng and book -keeping, physics, modern languages, and our literary food in general may be elsew her e obtained, and that we can lay claim to no exclusive monopoly the reo f What, th en, it may be asked, is th e mark ed feature of ou1· system of training? The answ er is, its bu si·,1ess features, its military di sc ipline. Such is th e economy of thi s w orl d, such the Divine arrangement, that th e highe st result s, mor al and m..1t r ial, can be e reac h ed only by busin ess method s~ Th e largest endowments of soul, the richest gifts of min d, the noble st aspirations of h ea rt, can be made available-can be utiliz ed only wh en the means is provid ed to apply them to a practical end. After all, much of ge nuin e success in life depends upon one's adaptability t o what is known as the bu siness of life. In vain uncommon sense if ta ct is wan t ing . In vain uncommon learning, if the man of letters cannot make his bread. In vain the poet's strai ns, the orator's silvery ton es , th e sc holar's flowers of speech; in vain eve n th e log ician's we ighty argument, if, aft er all, he nee ds t he power to fig ht successfully the ordinary battl es of the wor ld . H ence that trainin g cannot be anything but good for the young man, which throws him upon his own resources , and mak es him sel f-helpful and self- reliant; which makes .him syst ema tic , ready, vigilant , prom pt, and devcl~ps in him an abiding sense of duty and respon sibi lity. as well as a hi gh se nse of honor and a cheerful allegiance t o law . �When, in truth, the philosoµhy of genuine mil ita ry training is considered; wh~n its spirit is fairly interpreted, it will be conceded that the military and business training that marks the system in the South Carolina Military Academy, furnishes a strong argument in its behalf. And her e we do not wish to be misund erst ood. We do not propose to invest arms with undue significance. The profession of the soldier is a sad nec essi ty . Th e man , we concede, is ever to be regarded as high e r than the soldier, since soldiership is but an incid ent of manh ood. And yet, oniy a rosewa ter philanthropy would elimina te the sword as a factor in th e unso lved problems of State, with which th e world stands confronted . However much we may _ deplore it; however desirable to shun the bloody cost of war, and to throw into economic channels all the forces of th e Commonwealth, it is vain to close one's eyes to the fact that the world has not yet so far advanced as to do away with the arbitrament of war. The legislator may well magnify the po licy of peac e. ·\Nell-merited honor belongs to him who stills the waters of angry strife, and contributes to th e era of good will. And yet, well may that statesmanship be deemed uns ou nd and premature, which would, in anticipation of the mill en nium, beat all the swords of the country into ploughshares. Looking squarely into the face of the disjointed times, we may well accept the propo sitio n that no education is complete and generous, which do es no t fit one to p erfor m, skilfully and magnanimously , all the duties of the citizen, both in peace and in war. And yet, he who announced th is doctrine was the pen, and not th e 5word, of the Puritan cause in England. It was not the soldier, Cromwell; it was Milton, the scholar. As a proposition of the science of wealth, it is tru e that if the mon ey expended in the costly armaments of nations could be dire cted to man' s moral and religious elevation, we might dispense with war, and inau g urat e a halcyon era of uninterrupt ed peace. "Were half t h e power that fills the world ·with s01-ro'<v, vVere h alf the wealth best0wed on camps and courts, Given to redeem the hnrnan mind from error, T here were no nt ·cd of arse nal s and forts." �15 But inasmuch as enlightened humanity prefers thus far to contribute comparatively little to redeem the human mind from error. it may be conceded that the world is yet far from that millennial period when there shall be no need of arsenals, or citadels, or forts. But it is not as a war measure, that we bring military training and military discipline to the front in connection with the advantages of a system of education, such as the South Carolina Military Academy illustrates. Necessary as military discipline is to meet the contingencies that lawless men and lawless communities may at any time originate, it serves a nobler office when employed as an instrumentality in institutions of learning organized to prepare its members for the ordinary duties of civil life. When the military element is used as a means to an end, to give strength to the civilian, rather than to make the mere soldier; when used to form good habits, to establish sound character, to develop genuine manhood; then it is that, challenging criticism, it vindicates its utility. But closing the mind to its · nobler features, how prone are some men to associate the military only with the pomp of the parade, the roll of the drum, or the blare of trumpets! Let us , therefore, bring this question to the test of a fair analysis. What, we may ask, are military methods after all but efficient business methods? The man of business habits does his work promptly, systematically and thoroughly. What are promptness, system and thoroughness but crowning military qualities? Take the kings of business, the uncrowned, but sceptred monarchs of the mart, and you will find in one the prudence of a Fabius, and in another the daring of a Marcellus; in one Napoleon's power of rapid combination, and in another Wellington's well-balanced judgment. And in all you will find the head prompt to conceive and the hand quick .to execute. But coming nearer to the point at issue, the question may be asked, what are the elemen ts of this military discipline whereof we speak? It is not mechanical, as superficially alleged and charged. If the habit is mechanical, the principle underlying the habit �16 is moral and int ellec tual. Wh en th e tru e soldi er instinct ively mov es at th e word of comm a nd, th e sprin g of action may be found in the re ady reco g nit~on of leg itimat e auth orit ymakin g him find a dignity in obedi ence . Nor is military di sciplin e sla vi sh in its cha ract er. It is no .h ang man 's whip to hold th e w retch in ord e r. Found ed upon a sen se of duty , it mak es it s appeal to th e consci ence , and finds its respon se in a se lf-resp ectin g manhood . If , then, not mechanical or slavish, what ideas do es it involv e ? On e idea is self- contr ol. Th e military stud ent, as the s ubj ect of law , is call ed upon , from the nature of his obli ga tions, to practice "a prud ent , ca utious , self-control, " apt ly called, " Wi sdo m's root.'' To train h im for th e ex er cise of rul e over oth ers, it is esse nti al th at h e sha ll acquire se lf-command, since h e only can worthily enfor ce ob edi ence who ha s first learn ed how to obey. Anoth er idea is that ot eutire £m art£al£ty. Th e soldi er w ho p would com e up to th e full m easur e of his duty mu st do his part without fear, favor , oi: affection; reco gn izin g neith er friend nor foe in ca rryin g out th e mandat e of t he law. Another idea is that of courtesy and courage . Th e mili tary m an, in the stern and resolut e ex €cution of hi s tru st, is not requir ed to foreg o th e g race s of th e Chri stian gentleman. H e might well k ee p in view s uch a ch a ract e r as th e ga llant and acc ompli sh ed S idn ey, of whom it has be en said th at hi s lo ft y car ee r sugg es ts th e not ion of " hi g h thou g ht s sea ted in th e h ea rt of co urt esy. " On co.ming down to mode rn tim es, he might take for hi s mod el on e, call ed by an E nglis h writer, " ideal sol dier , patt ern Chri s tian, se lfless man and sta inles s ge ntl eman,' ' th e pee rless L ee, wh ose mod es ty, truth , and Chri st ian gift s, have mad e his p rai se to b e so un ded 111 " mou t hs of wises t censure.'' Th us we wou ld lift t he mili tary idea ab ove th e pla ne of wa r's pr ide , pomp , a nd circ um stan ce. Maki ng duty, self -control,just ice, cour tesy, a nd courage com p onent part s of mil ita ry disc ipline, it follows th at it s eftect upo n h uma nity is to str ength en th e will, to refine th e manner s, to ele vate the m oNrie-to promot e a ch aracter ;.it onc e gra ce ful, robu st, and �17 efficient, and to consummate a vi gorons and enlightened manhood. This, as we interpret it, is what military discipline effects. And this is what the South Carolina Military Academy proposes, in part, for its objective point. Th ese are the principles that the Citadel of old sought to impress upon its sons, and these same · true and tried maxims the new Citad el seeks to make the law of its b eing and the rule of its action. While it proposes to train its cadets to arms under a sense of what is due to God and country, yet it recognizes the fact that its main office is to prepare its graduates for the civil duties of life-to the end th at they may do yeoman's service in developing all the resources of the State . Leaving it to an institution like the United States Military Academy to mould soldiers proper, it is, as -we hold, the special mission of South Carolina's Militai-y School to make use of th e military element in order to effec t civ-il results-to rea r men more especially qualifi ed for the varied employments of civil life-qualifi ed to elevate the sta ndard of the publi :::sc hool system-qualified to direct our industrial deve lopm ent, to manage our farms, factories, and workshops, to carry efficient business habits into the liberal professions-qua lified for affairs of State-men equal, through the aid, if need be, of s upplementary training, to any of th e callings oflife to which their . aspirations may lead. Hence, while the military feature in th e South Carolina Military Academy has been urg ed as an objection to the Instit ution, both theory and practice declare that therein lies its chief strength : a f<:> ature adm irable in its effect upon the physique of the cadet-adm 'ira ble for the honest work it secures , for the scholastic aµplication it promotes, for the high standard it compels, and no less admirable for the authority it wields, and the whole some restraints that it ex ercises. But the South Carolina Military Academy is not to be viewed only as an ind epend ent in..,titution of learning, sta ndin g upon its special mer its. It is furth er to be co nsidered as a part of the educationa l system of the State. Th ere is no �18 part of the Academy more suggestive than the beneficiary feature . In selecting from each county in the State two meritorious youths , and op ening to them , without cost of any kind, the opportunities of higher education, South Carolina has placed herself in the forefront of the States. There is in every community a class of per sons, how ever aspiring , who can not ava il themselves, of the advantag es even of the free tuition that may be afforded in schools of ad vanced educ :: tion. 1 Where no provision is mad e for this el ement , th e Stat e fails to provide for her needy , but not le ss deserving childrenlonging for the waters meet to slake th eir int ellectual thir st . But it has bee n reserv ed for South Carolina, in her rnunifi-o cence, to do, in th e Citad el scheme, more tha11 to g ive free tu1t1on. Hers it is to disp ense her gifts rig ht royally, while making it th e privilege of her favored son, aft er graduation, to make compensation at least by two years service in the Public Schools. In this country, happily for th e people, public education has become th e settled policy, In a governmental fabric like ours, the very foundation of which rests upon int elli ge nce and virtue in the mass es ; in a land wher e suffra g e for all is consi stent only with education for all, it would be strange were it otherwise. Whil e, howev er, no sound legislator denies that school houses are cheaper than jails, and less costly than the Penetentiary; while no int elligent man in public life arrays himself again st th e common school system , yet to th e appro priation of th e public mon ey for high er education, oppo sit ion certainly exi st s'. I s thi s con s ist ent? I s it wise? We think it is not. What is good for th P pa rt is good for th e whol e. What is high e r educati on but a part of prim::i.ry education? Shall South Carolina not provide for prim ary education to run under certain conditions into high er education ? Shall th e m eans not be p ro vid ed wh ereb y th e lower education al battalion s shall be rec ruit ed in lead ership from th e high er? �19 Shall th e rear rank of the long lin e of her primary scholars be deni ed the privilege of reachin g th e front rank , even when som e gifted minds become inflam ed with a noble ambiti o n to ri se to a high e r plane? Sh all S out h Carolina cr eate in th e mind s of h er youth a des ire for hi g her knowl e dg e, and th en close to them the opportunity of g ratification? W e hold that to shut th e door s of Public School s of hi g her education to our ambitious an d de servin g y o uth of limi te d · m ean s, is to br eak the symmetry of a wis e sch eme of public in struction. What would be th ought of th e ma ster build er who w ould lay the foundation and stop at th e s up erstructur e ; or of th e smith \Vho would for ge the plo ug h, and omit the point, o r of th e armor e r who would make th e sword and leav e th e edge un sh arp ened? And thus he wh o leaves a common sch oo l system, uncrown ed with the turr ets and tow ers of hi gh · education, leave s his work p ointless-incompl ete . As we underst::incl it, the low e r a nd high er sch ool s of ed ucation that the Stat e ha s, for wise ends , und ertak en to fo st er, are parts of one harmonious w hol e. W e ho ld t hat th ey act and react upon each other , and t ha t you cannot assa il any part of t11e goodly fabric without imp airing th e int eg rit y of the entire structure. Di stinct as the billows, these institutions of Public Education in our Stat e are yet, in fact, on e as the sea . War is waged upon th e expon ent s in Sou th Carolina of the ~chem e of h igher pu blic education . South Carolina has been called upon to abdic ate h er high st and on thi s qu es tion . It may be well for th e su gge stion to b e h ee ded, that th e public man wh o strikes a blow at e nt erpr ise s 0f hi g h er education by th e Stat e, actually wouod s the ve ry sys tem of primary education that it is his sp ecial purpo se to fost er and dev elop. That th e policy of economy a ncl ret renchm ent sh ould ever cha ract eriz e the adm ini stration of public affairs, is free ly conceded; but equall y obvious is it, t hat '' Education , '' a s Burke say s, " is th e cheap defe nc e of n atio ns. " S ur ely So, 1th Caroli na, if she wo uld re-es t abl is h her pow er and ret ain he r pl ace in th e siste rho od of th e St ates of th e �20 i\m erican Union, mu st maint ain an educational sys tem wisely adapted to th e wa nt s of h er peo pl e, a nd so arra nged as to brin g out int o effective play the best men tal forces of the Commonwealth. It ha s been sa id that no ma n can tell where ge niu s may lie dormant. Ju st as the rliamond is found am id rud e s urr ound ings, so. great natural g ifts of sou l are often di scovered in the humbl e cotta ge - g ifts, which it ne eds only the fosteri ng care of th e Comm onw ealt h to develop, in order that they may become th e so urce of public goo d, and adorn th e public service. Such was th e good work do ne in past, by th e Academy whose rec ent re-establishment has prompted th ese reflection s. Such was th e benefice nt part th at it played in the sc heme whi ch th e wisdom of th e State sanctioned and uph eld from 1842 to 1865. But it has bee n said th at, goo d and great as th e mission of th e Citadel may ha ve been, it has bee n fulfill ed. Is this so? The an swer is contained in the numb ers that gathe red aro und th e flag as soo n as was h eard the first tap of the acade mic drum. T he popular instinct is wiser and true r than individual judgment. No! Not fulfill ed i,s the mi ssio n of the Citadel. Th at mi ss ion is but resumed, after the healed wounds of war. And that mis si\)n will remain unfulfill ed until, in South Caro- , Jina, from mou nt ain to sea, th ere shall be no need for th e light . of intelligence to be tun1 ed in to humbl e h om es; n o need for th e good work that the Citadel ha s heretofore done ; no nee d for the patriotic so ldi ership it has fashioned; no need for the robust c itizenship it has m oulde d. \!Vhatever the divergence of views on the question, the State ha s closed the debate. The rev ived In st itutio n of Arts and Arms is an accom pli shed fact . Starting into life at the magic touch ofher faithful children, the Citadel re-enters th e are na of learning in Sou th Carol ina. . The saiutation of her elder sister, at th e Capital, as rece ntl y extended through one of he r sc holarly alumni, is return ed , a nd to all h er other compee rs in the State, the Aca de my exte nd s a cordial greeting; as she hea rtily unites with th em in th e common, fer vent aspira ti on, that th ei r joint labors, put forth in th e nob le ca use of lett ers, �21 may strengthen the bands of relig ion, lift our people to a hig her civilization and, in general, promot e the honor and welfar e of the State . Though shorn of her symmetry in form, with one fair limb fire-blast ed and shrunken, yet th e Citadel still iives in he r vigor . Neither war nor fl:1me, nor e nforce d inactivit y has impair ed h er force or quenched her spi rit . As sh e looks today upon th e well-fill ed ranks of her post-bellum sons wh o from all quarters of the State h ave at her call ra llied around her standard, her proud soul mounts into her eyes and she renews her youth. H er care er in the future is what thes e younger sons shall mak e . Let them see to it, that rising to the hei g hts of solid character, th ey at all times guard the honor of the flag . And as for tho se charged with h er present fortunes, God give them str ength speedily to r eclot h e th e Academy in h e r robes of state, and to replace up on her chasten ed brow th e crown of her glory . Gentlem.en of the Washington Light Infantry: In obedi ence to your summons, which cam e to me invested with authoritativ e power, I hav e a vailed myse lf of your anni. versary to set before th e Sbte th e a ims and ends-so far at lea st as I may be deemed at lib er ty to interpret them -- which the custodians of the South Carolina Military Academy have in view. While every sec tion of th e State has received with more or less approval t~1 rehabilitation of the Cita del, no where else has e that rehabilit at ion been gree t ed ,vith such interest as in thi s community. In thi s case th e rule that a prophet is without honor in his ow n country see ms to be reversed Surely it is a good s ig n that where an iustitution of education was best known, it sho nld be most highly prized. As the Executive of the Academy, it gives me pleasure to b ea r public testimony to th e high consideration, municipal and personal, with which Charleston greets th e advent of the Citadel. Th e Cadet, ev en as he has thus far pr ese nted him- �22 sel f, ''wit h tender pi ni on s sca rcely fledged,'' has been m et wit h th e ra re cou rtesy t hat m arks t h is " city by t he sea." T he re was, inde ed, o ne ma rked feat ur e co nn ected wit h the re-ope ning of the sa lly-port of the Citade l, well calculated to exc ite atten t ion. Th is was th e sce ne at the initia l evening pa rades. Again, near the setti ng of the su n , the b reeze, that sweeps th rough t h e wc>llremember ed rotunda, could be seen playing wit h the tresses or fann ing the cheeks of the city's rosy g irlh ood, and again brig ht eyes beaming from the bal ustrade of the galleries poured down thei r rays upon the quickened 1ine of grey. Encouraged by the manhood of this refined community, che ered by its t ender and g raceful womanhood, surrounded by all th e ennobling memories that cluster around this classic city, which, in the late war received, without flinching, full in her front, the bolts of war, well may the Cad et be inspir ed to the high es t rea ch es of the so ldier student. \Nell may he pro pose to hims elf a loft y st ,rndard of soldiership and scholar , ship, and seek to make hi s Acade my of itself '' a true poem that is, a compo sition and pattern of the best," epic in character, in tone, in subs tanc e. To you, comrades of the \tVashington Light Infan t ry, is the Acad emy under speci .d obligations for your unvary jng acts of friendly int eres t from toe tim e, when you gave the Colors und e r which the Cad et Battalion now marches, to this day which symboliz es our'' clasped broth erhood.' ' On behalf of the Academy, let .n e tender my warm ack nowledgments for your consideratio n. May you continue lon g to illu strat e the le ss ons of that virtue and va lor which hav e made th e name of your Corps the synonym for civic and military renown. And distant be th e day whe n you shall cease to march with ma nly tread under the gleami ng folds of that cherished flag, " wh ich at Eutaw sho ne so brigh t ." �� Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Speeches Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Citadel Archives & Museum Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Materials in The Citadel Archives & Museum Digital Collections are intended for educational and research use. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright. For more information contact The Citadel Archives & Museum, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, 29409. Description An account of the resource Speeches in this collection were given at Citadel commencement ceremonies and literary society events by Citadel affiliates and invited guests. Subject The topic of the resource Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived RC Speeches Relation A related resource Speeches Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/collections/show/11 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Speech for the public commemoration of the re-establishment of The South Carolina Military College by John P. Thomas, February 22, 1883 Description An account of the resource This speech was given to commemorate the re-establishment of The Citadel after having closed in 1865 and reopened in 1882. Thomas describes the efforts of Citadel alumni to reopen the institution, discusses its history, and describes the character of a Citadel man. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Thomas, John P. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Citadel Archives & Museum Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1883-02-22 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Materials in The Citadel Archives & Museum Digital Collections are intended for educational and research use. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright. For more information contact The Citadel Archives & Museum, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, 29409. Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived RC Speeches Relation A related resource Speeches Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/items/show/458 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Charleston (S.C.) Date Valid Date (often a range) of validity of a resource. 1880-1889