Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 13.djvu/227

 226 Southern Historical Society Papers.

Gorgas; whoever has read the history of the late war between the States, or is conversant with the events of those stirring times, knows what an important part he bore, and how well he discharged the great and responsible trust committed to him, and of his valuable services while officially connected with the University; how he brought order out of confusion, how he almost imperceptibly, as to the means employed, but most effectually as to results, established thorough discipline; how, by precept, but more by example, he ele- vated the standard of morals and a true manhood among the corps of cadets; how earnestly and consistently and lovingly he devoted himself to this work, and how, when stricken with disease, he pa- tiently, bravely and serenely bore the pains and privations of his long illness all these are in the compass of our own observation and knowledge.

" General Gorgas was no ordinary man. It is rare that we find a man in whom all the virtues seem so happily blended ; gentle and amiable as a woman, yet, on occasion, he could be as stern and firm as a Roman. Eminently conscientious in his own conduct, he had large charity for others, and was not ready to distrust or censure without abundant cause. Of envy and its kindred passions, he seemed to be without knowledge. When he accepted a position he gave to it all the powers of his mind, all the energies of his body; he was diligent in business, faithful to every trust, pure in life, schol- arly in attainments, a model husband and father, a genial companion, a devoted friend.

" The world cannot but be better for such men living in it, and has too few to spare, even one such, without feeling the loss. Let us hope that the lessons he inculcated, and more than this, the excel- lencies of his example, while he held the important position of Presi- dent of this University, may so have impressed the cadets under his charge, that though dead, he may still speak and have a noble fruitage in the well-ordered lives and good citizenship of many whom he taught.' '

In their report to the General Assembly of the State of Alabama, the trustees say: "Since our last report, a former President of the University, a name well known throughout the South, a gentleman, distinguished alike by his virtues and his modesty, a thorough dis- ciplinarian, a ripe scholar, an admirable officer, a conscientious Christian, General Josiah Gorgas, passed from its classic shades to the ' house appointed for all living.' Failing health compelled him to resign the position of President some time before, but his connection