The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-09-27
Animal Commencement OF Coiumbi. Col

| lumbia College where we watched the forming OF
| the grand procession, which was composed OF
large number of reverned professors, high civil
| functionaries collegiate dignltaries, and hetroge
| neous squad OF students, from the boy of seven to
the man of twenty-five years, dressed in silk gowns
| with large rosettes of various colors and devices
upon their breasts. An usher in black was mar
shang this squad for some minutes previous to the
appearance of the alumni, but more awkward and
unruly Sci could scarce be seen, and would have
puzzled the wits of the best drill sergeant in the
army, much less the demure usher, who was la.
boring necessarily TO restore ORDER and some de-
gree of uniformity, before he announced that all
was ready for the march constable, with staff in
hand, was directed TO clear the gateway, round
which had gathered some half dozen strsgglers, a
doctors buggy, a brewers dray, and water cart,
which DISTRACTED the passage, and had taken forci-
BILE possession Of the street, all waiting see the
procession. which proceeded up Park Place,
Broadway, and Cedar streets, to the Middle Dutch
Church, where the services OF the day were to be
performed according TO the following
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
l. Greek Salutstory, with Poem, WILLIAM McCUNE
Music.
2. Latin salutatory, with q Poem, Spes nobs durm
tribuit solamina vita, y THOMAS C. T. BUCKLEY.
Music.
g. English salutatory with an Essay, The Spirit Of
Philosophy" GEORGE PAYS QuAcKENsos.
Music.
4. An Grafton" The Power of the Preos" ALBERT
GALLATIN, Jr.
.. An Essay" Italian Republics" WILLIAM B. LAW
RENcE,Jr.
:. 6. An Grafton" True Wealth of the Merchant
WILLIAM E. BUNKER.
Z. An Oration-"Civil Obedience an Element OF Ma
tonal Greatness" JOHN w. DANA.
g. An Grafton" The Perfect Statesman" EDWARD Il
LEWIS.
O. An oraton-"Consecrated Talent" MArsor NJ.
SMITH.
10. An Essay" The Influence of Poetry Come
LIus VAN VoRsr, Jr.
ii. An Essay" Mary, Queen of Scots" tExcused)
Music.
-. A Latin Grafton" Orpheus." WILLIAM CECIL
DUNCAN.
Music.
:. Is Vaedctory Address, with an Grafton" Revolu.
tons," JAMES w. GERARp,Jr.
Music.
On arrival the aisles and galleries already
filled, the centre pews being reserved for the
students, and some favored friends of the
College. A large platform covered with green
balze was erected over the altar, the pulpit
forming the seat for the Principal of the College.
To the right Of the Principal the alumni trustees
ofthe College were seated, and on the left the Gov
ernor. the clergy, the professors and invited guests,
while the teachers of the grammer schoolsat mmedi-
aey in front ofthe desk All being seated. prayer,
chosen FROM the liturgy of the Episcopal church,
was read, and an Introductory piece performed
by The band, which was placed directly in front OF
the organ. After the music had ceased, the aspl
rants to the degree of Bachelor oil Arts were sum-
moned by name, and in the order set down in the
programme, to take their stand on the platform
AS each appeared, he was loudly greeted by his fell
low students and friends. The performances COM
menced with Greek and Latin salutatory poem,
Of The merits ct which we cannot speak without
perusal Of the compositions OF The orauons and
essays that pronounced by Albert Gallatn, Jr., OIL
The power Of the Pres" was the best received
1t was a spirited production, and reflected much
credit on the author. He reviewed the history OF
Europe. commencing at what were called the good
old times, when the only ambition known was
glory IN the field, and conquest when learning
existed alone in the clolster and ignorance and or
thodoxy went hand in hand in crushing the vassal
anC holding the rens OF civil and religious des
poiism. He then traced the power Of the press in
fastening forward the glorious truths of the reforma-
ton and in the gradual diffusion of knowledge
among all classes-when 10 hold the title 'gentle.
man. il was deemed indispensable to add the ac-
quirements of the scholar to the courage of the war
rior. The effect of the introduction of periodical
literature upon the desnes of the nations OF the
world-upon the emancipation of the masses
and the development of free instituhons-he traced
boldly and wildly, elicting from his hearers ire
quent expressions of APPRECIATION. OF the power Of
the press in swaying the mass, and regulating pub
lie opinion in this counry,no one could question. and
hence it became all-lmportant that the course Of
editors and proprletors OF newspapers should be
carefully considered by the patriot, Often instead
of promoting free opinion, it advances prejudices
aad an in,oerant spirit of opposition. The DISPOSE
ton to pry into the domescity Of the man for the
parpose of gratifying private malice, or impotent
revenge, he censured in deep and unsparing terms,
declaring tina, the day had come when public OPT
Mon would almost sustain the punishment of the
libeer by the hand of the belled should the law of
the land fail in afording him its protection. This
sentiment was rap,urously received. Yet to US 1t
seemed rot very appropriate, or suited to the gene
rally enforced principles of the pupit-peace and
forgiveness
The Grafton, by Edward z. Lewis, on "The Per.
feet Statesman" was the next in order of merit,
and was delivered with much taste and discern
hioh'' Chhho uuo HioJoilty vi the SPEAKERS, tHeIe
was a subdued efort-no foot-igh rantng or cleav-
ing the air with the hand to give some effect to
pointless sentences The action was seasonable
and suited TO the word. He briefly reviewed the
history OF few OF the leading statesmen in the dit
ierent ages Their position, socially and politically
their effect the prosperity or adversely of the ma
ton to which they belonged-the character Of the
people elevated or depressed, by the character of
their rulers. He then glanced at the essential quail
ties OF the true statesman comparing avoraby those
of America with the s,atcsmen of other countries
and flashed by earnest appeal to the former to
support the lofty station they had gained by wise,
patriotic aud honorable course in the legislative
councils OF republican America. MIR. Lewis was
w8rmy greeted on leaving the platform