IS
THE BATTALION.
Alumni Address.
F»Y C. C. TODD.
Today the commonwealth of Texas mourns for the loss
of Gen. L. S. Ross as a soldier, a statesman and a citizen.
Every school boy has read in song and story of his exploits
as a soldier, even when yet a beardless bo3 r . Every citizen
has realized his sterling worth, integrity and ability as a citi
zen. Texas can do no grander thing than to pay due homage
to the hero, whose life was spent in her upbuiling and ad
vancement.
General Ross has with truth been called the friend of the
young man. He adequately proved this when he, of his own
accord took charge of this institution, and spent the last
years of an eventful life in the endeavor to train Texas
youths to fill exalted positions, in the state he loved so well.
Yesterday we pointed with pride as the grandest man in
the state of Texas. Today he is gone, but we can point with
equal pride to the record he has left us untarnished by a
single wrong.
Young gentlemen we have lost one of the best friends we
will ever have, but he has left us, his example to emulate and
his precepts to follow, we can do no more fitting thing as a
token of our regard than to follow the teachings of the man.
I bear a tribute to the life of General Ross not as a sol
dier or as a statesman, that is left for his companions in war
and state, but to his perseverance, kindness and encourage
ment to us while students of this institution. To the alumni
of this college he needs no monument of marble, for his
image will ever remain fresh within our memories. His was
the hand of encouragement extended to us when the dark
shadows of failure threatened to envelope us, and despair
would fain have taken the place of hope. In him we knew
the master firm in requirements, yet ever ready to give praise
to duty well performed, and encouragement to those worthy