ADDRESSES 329 



friend. His last words to our class in our class-room were so 

 characteristic of him that I will repeat them as nearly as 

 my memory will allow: * If you ever come where I am, come 

 and see me — I '11 try and make it pleasant for you. If you 

 are ever in trouble, let me know — I'll try and help you. 

 Good-bye. ' — And he was gone from the recitation room 

 to his office. Every man in that room knew he meant just 

 what he said and that he meant it to apply to him. The 

 college has lost a good champion and the country a noble 

 officer.'* 



The words of parting to the class that had been under 

 his instruction for four years convey so clearly his own con- 

 ception of duty that I know you will bear with me a mo- 

 ment longer while I repeat them : — 



"Young gentlemen, the time has now come when we are 

 to separate, and there are a few things that I take occa- 

 sion to say to you, because I shall never have the oppor- 

 tunity again. I came here from twelve years' continuous 

 army service on the Plains, beyond the Mississippi. You 

 thought, perhaps, I was rather a rough fellow. My way 

 of dealing with you at first seemed, probably, somewhat 

 severe. I tried to teach you lessons of unquestioning obedi- 

 ence, for obedience is the first duty of a soldier; but I think 

 you have learned to understand me, as I have learned to 

 understand you, and our relations, on the whole, have been 

 very pleasant. And now, as you leave the college to go out 

 into the world, I wish to say two or three things which I 

 trust you will not forget. The first is: Remember always 

 to be a gentleman. Second: Be truthful; always truthful. 

 No man can be a true soldier on any other basis. Third: 

 Wherever you are placed, under whatever circumstances 



