Patriotic Utterances
June 30, 1894
Summary
In an address to graduates from Richmond College (now University of Richmond), Dr. J. L. M. Curry underscores the importance of patriotism in the South and advocates for the removal of lynch law.
Transcription
Dr. JLM Curry delivered an address to the graduating class of the Law Department of Richmond College, June 21st.
It was a magnificent production, embracing as it did the highest degree of statesmanship and showing an entire absence of that demagoguery for which the public utterances of so many of our public speakers have been noted.
He said:
“These diplomas, young men, look backwards and forwards. They are not Barren symbols. They have great significance. They possess a potency and parchments in prophetic of great things that may be accomplished by you. I mean to say that this diploma you hold in your hand means an honest purpose, and a noble ambition to do service for your country.”
In the above utterances she recognized the autonomy of the government and gave voice to a patriotic sentiment which others to not do better than imitate.
And again:
“Wealth and education are not valuable except as they are useful. Your education, your diploma, is of no service to you except as it enables you to render superiority of service to your fellow man.”
Oh, what a world of information and meaning in those assertions! Those graduates heard of them, others read them but how you realized the full import of the truth which they contained!She teks High ground and stands upon the platform of a true Statesman when he says:
“I am sorry to say it, very sorry, indeed, that Lynch law has been too prevalent in our glorious Southland. It is bringing our loyalty and our Humanity into reproach. Lynching is rebellion against Authority and law. I wish tonight to say that the most inexcusable form of lynching is when a negro is lynched, because in our land we have every facility for meting out Justice to him- just judges and juries- and there is no occasion for search practice of lawlessness.”
Will the people of the Southland hear? He, who advocated lawlessness is the worst enemy of this section...
It was a magnificent production, embracing as it did the highest degree of statesmanship and showing an entire absence of that demagoguery for which the public utterances of so many of our public speakers have been noted.
He said:
“These diplomas, young men, look backwards and forwards. They are not Barren symbols. They have great significance. They possess a potency and parchments in prophetic of great things that may be accomplished by you. I mean to say that this diploma you hold in your hand means an honest purpose, and a noble ambition to do service for your country.”
In the above utterances she recognized the autonomy of the government and gave voice to a patriotic sentiment which others to not do better than imitate.
And again:
“Wealth and education are not valuable except as they are useful. Your education, your diploma, is of no service to you except as it enables you to render superiority of service to your fellow man.”
Oh, what a world of information and meaning in those assertions! Those graduates heard of them, others read them but how you realized the full import of the truth which they contained!She teks High ground and stands upon the platform of a true Statesman when he says:
“I am sorry to say it, very sorry, indeed, that Lynch law has been too prevalent in our glorious Southland. It is bringing our loyalty and our Humanity into reproach. Lynching is rebellion against Authority and law. I wish tonight to say that the most inexcusable form of lynching is when a negro is lynched, because in our land we have every facility for meting out Justice to him- just judges and juries- and there is no occasion for search practice of lawlessness.”
Will the people of the Southland hear? He, who advocated lawlessness is the worst enemy of this section...
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Upper Right Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Carlos Serrano
Citation
“Patriotic Utterances,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed February 19, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1529.