1842: VMI's first class graduates

Found within the Library of Virginia newspaper archives, the following reprints the original July 7, 182 Lexington Gazette article covering the first graduation of Cadets from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). The article emphasizes that, starting with the first diploma to Cadet William Fair, VMI cherished and celebrated the value its graduates would provide to their community and the United States of America. The legacy of VMI, its graduates, and their service to Virginia have been a staple of the Institute from the beginning. The creation of moral citizen soldiers and leaders of exceptional quality has continued to be the mission of VMI, despite outside perceptions and claims. While VMI and its politics may struggle to find its place within society, even giving way to outside interference, it is important for Cadets to maintain their goals of morality and leadership. In a tumultuous and polarized society, it is essential that Cadets themselves maintain the standard for which they matriculated and the standard which has been intrinsic to VMI graduates since 1842. From The Gazette, July 7, 1842 VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE The Board of visitors of this noble institution, in which so deep and interest is deservedly felt by the people of Virginia, assembled at the Institute on Friday, the First day of July. Present the following members: Col. C. Crozet, Gen. C.P. Dorman, Gen. Ligon, George H. Lee, James McDowell, Esq. Col Jno. N. Tazwell, and Dr. Leyburn. The course of examination, which is still in progress, has been thorough and rigid, and it is universally conceded that the young gentlemen have thus far acquitted themselves with the highest honor. We hope that in our next, we shall be able to present our readers with a particular account of this interesting occasion. At present we can only give a brief account of the interesting exercises of the COMMENCEMENT DAY The first commencement of the Virginia Military Institute! It was indeed an interesting and glorious day. It was help too, on the 4th of July, the anniversary of our national independence. And surely never has that anniversary been celebrated in a more spirited and appropriate manner. We could only with that in addition to the crowd which witnessed the proceedings, the members of the General Assembly of Virginia might have been present, to have enjoyed with our own people, the brilliant and imposing spectacle, -- to have witnessed for themselves how worthy of their encouragement and favor is the MILITARY SCHOOL which Virginia has established, a school which with the encouragement it deserves from the Legislature will soon be equal in every respect to the United States Military Academy at West Point, a school which is destined to confer the greatest blessings upon Virginia, in sending forth accomplished soldiers to impart skill and discipline, and a military spirit to her militia, and in giving to her common schools gentlemen who are educated and capable to instruct the youth of our state. Are not these most important objects, and can any one doubt the true interest of the Commonwealth is to encourage by every means in its power an institution by which the objects can be certainly attained? About eleven o'clock on the morning of the 4th, the procession, headed by Gen. Dorman Marshall of the day, consisting of the Lexington volunteers, with their band, the Cadets of the Institute, Board of Visitors and others, arrived at the Presbyterian Church, which was by that time thronged with a highly respectable auditory. The platform in front of the pulpit was occupied by the Board of Visitors, the officers of the Institute, and the cadets who were to receive their degrees. The exercises were commenced with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Bryant, after which Cadet Winston of Campbell, read the Declaration of Independence, accompanying it by a brief, appropriate, and spirited address. After the reading of the Declaration, an oration was delivered by Cadet Campbell of Bedford, and certainly the young orator acquitted himself most creditably. The audience was evidently highly gratified with both the matter and the manner of his eloquent effort. After these ceremonies connected with the celebration of the 4th, succeeded the graduation exercises, in the following order: French and English Salutatory Oration, by Cadet William D. Fair, of Amherst English Oration, by Cadet W.M. Elliott of Buckingham. English Oration, by Cadet James H. Lawrence, of Caroline Valedictory Address, by Cadet William H. Henderson, of Loudoun. All who heard these addresses will confess that we employ no exaggerated terms of praise, when we say that they were of rare excellence, written in eminently good taste, and gracefully pronounced. After the Addresses, Degrees were conferred by the Superintendent, upon sixteen Graduates. The following is a list of the Graduates arranged according to merit.*1. Wm. D. Fair, of Amherst.*2. W.H. Henderson, of Loudon.3. John B. Strange, of Flavanna.4. T.J.B. Cramer, of Frederick.5. Edmund Pendleton, of Botetout.6. James H. Lawrence, of Caroline.7. W.M. Elliott, of Buckingham.8. J.H. Jameson of Culpeper.9. C.P. Deyerle, of Montgomery.10. J.T. Smith, of Norfolk Borough.11.Wm. Forbes, of Richmond (City.)12.W.T. Bell, of Augusta.13. V.C. Sanders of Loudon14. O.M. Knight, of Ottoway.15. James Marshall, of Warren.16. L.A. Garnett, of King & Queen. *Distinguished Cadets Then followed an Address to the Graduates by Colonel Smith, an address which was replete with valuable advice and instruction, and breathing a loft spirit of patriotism, American patriotism, -- an address which struck us as truly eloquent, for it evidently came warm from the heart, and, of course, struck a responsive chord in the breasts of those who heard him. When this Address was concluded, we were preparing to depart, supposing the ceremonies of the day were ended, when some remarks of Major Preason arrested our attention. The ceremonies of the day were not yet concluded. The graduating class, without communicating the fact to any but their own number and their officers had procured a very splendid sword which they now, through Cadet Pendleton, presented to Colonel Smith. The presentation of the sword was accompanied by some very appropriate remarks from Cadet Pendleton, and acknowledged by Colonel Smith, in a very handsome reply, his manner evidently exhibiting the deep emotion with which he received this marked proof of the love and respect with which he is regarded by the gallant young soldiers, who have been with him from the time when the Institute was established. We are conscious that we have given but a faint and imperfect description of the animating scene of the day. We had been anxious to procure an account from some of our friends, who were able to do the subject justice, but finding this impossible, we have been forced to content ourselves with preparing the above meagre outline. We have only to say in conclusion that the best wishes of our community go with the young gentlemen, who, after a residence of nearly three years in our neighborhood, have now left us to launch their barks upon the stormy seas of life. The kind feeling expressed by Cadet Henderson in his most eloquent Valedictory Address, are fully reciprocated by our citizens. The gentlemanly bearing, the perfect courtesy and decorum which have marked all the intercourse of Cadets with our citizens will long be cherished in our remembrance. May these, the first graduates of the Institute, throughout their future course uphold the high reputation they have acquired. Virginia expects much from them, but sure we are, that judging from their past career, and present standing and character, that expectation, however lofty, will not be disappointed. Sure we are that a band of more thoroughly educated young men, both as soldiers and scholars, no institution in our country has ever yet set forth from its walls. It is but just, in conclusion, to remark that to the great ability, and untiring zeal of the talented and accomplished gentlemen who compose the Faculty of the Institute, the State is deeply indebted for its extraordinary success. Long may it enjoy the advantage of their most valuable labors, and richly may they be rewarded for their exertions, in the increasing prosperity of the important institution, which is committed to their guidance. A meeting of the Graduates was held on the 5th inst., in the Examination Hall for the purpose of forming an "Alumni Military Association." At this meeting a suitable preamble and resolution were adopted, after which W.M. Elliott was chosen President, and W. D. Fair, Secretary.