The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-07-17
commencement 1t %. johns College, Ford

Commencement It %. johns College, Ford
ham.
The first commencement of this institution too
place yesterday, under as favorable auspices
could be wished by its warmest supporters Tn
occasion, accompanied with such beautiful weeR
Their, drew together from twenty-five hundred
three thousand persons, including great numbe
OF the Reverend Catholic Clergy, and OF our mo
respectable citizens Bishops Hughes and Mo
Closky We're present during the entire day. Th
exercises did not commence TIL 3 p. NJ, but Lie
thian's brass band were stationed on. IN
beautiful lawn in front Of the college, and di;
coursed sweet music till the arrival Of the la:
train OF cars, so that no one became fatigued Wit
the delay
At the appointed hour, the honorable faculty
invited guests, and the students, marched in pre-
cession from the college buildings to spaclor
and elegant tent ON the lawH, hung vii
festoons and sumounted with the bright folds &
the American flag. After the performance q
mnsic by the band, the Latin sautatory was sPe
ken by Mr.. JAMES CLARY of New York city.
was chaste, well delivered speech, and reflects
great credit on its young author
A discourse on the Crusades next followed, by NJ
JoHS RsGAs of Brooklyn. This gentleman took
the defence Of the Crusades as advancing the causes
religion and civilization truly arguing that its praise
should not be measured by the Of those warrior
OF tho who left home and friends TO win oack
tomb OF our Sa siour from the hands Of the Mussulma
but must be awarded to the self-denial and courst
which urged thea We sorry to see that ne o
casonally marred the effect of his delivery by faihr
Of the voice at the close OF sentence
An Grafton on the Course of Empire. by Mr. TiMorB
HuKLEv OF Fort Edward N Y, was fne specimen
Engl.h composition, and its enecs was assisted oy co
patton and learning traced down to the present ds
il avery happy style We would suggest 70 tine autnS
however whether his remark that the independence
feeling in Europe, can be sOrrec VAST not rather
drove ' the ahsr s
continent originating in the hotbed Of oppression
slossOming in the wlds oil freedom!
The next Grafton, by Mr.. J. J. CHAMPION, OF Ne
York from the beautiful modulatons OF his tone, an
the impressive manner Of his delivery evidently shov
I'd that he was master Of his subject which was MOI
than were, for the remnants Of our college loi
availed US not nGreek OF the following composi.io
TRUE heroism" spoken by MIR. d. G. burning, OF Ne,
ark, we cannot speak too highly. It bstray ed ns,h
Of the classic pedany much practissd by graduaH
classes, superhuous flowers Of rhetoric but mo
forcibe and entertaining discourse we ha,
seldom listened to. The speaker allowed what he CO
ceived to be true heroism not that Of warriors Al
statesmen sacrificing the lives OF other and their ow
principles the altar Of ambition, but a. displayed
the lowiy course the unassuming usefulness, and Il
suer.nss o. the no5 S %no Hr
would that our crowded columns permitted more col
GUS extracts.
Previous the valcdictory sddress, the degrees We
presented to the graduating class numbering ave. Hug
Sweeny, John Carroll both Of Now York; Paul s. Be
ges, Of Vera Cruz, Timothy Hurley, Of Fort Edwar
and John s. Dougherty, Lancaster, Pa. The Hon. Pr
sident accompanied the presentation, BY some psrine
and impressive remarks beseeching those who were Il
first fruits Of this young institution, to remain true
their alma mater by perseverance, and utility in thei
future lives. The valsdictery Of Mr. J. s. Doughsrt
|
cording the ideas presented in this address,
main springs Of our freedom He argued, we think,
staesman that plans rather than tho warrior who ex
cutes. A very beautiful eulogy Of Patrick Henry, wi
one of the most effective parts OF the speech IT
farewell peroration drew tears from tho eyes q
teachers and classmates, soon to separate, perhaps
ever. One thing exceedingly pleased, and little So
prsed us, in the matter of all the discourses, and til
was the utter absence Of any thing like sectaranism
word or idea In this respect Harvard Yale and 9TH
institutions would do we'll to initiate their young siste
he lucio IF thoaaa
sented to those Of the undergraduates who had exce
in their different departments Of study. The valed
branches. including Greek, Latin aud German. v
heard the names Of John Kelly, Edward Ballard, Man
a. peon and others called over " a.; ss ss sAs'
only within three months since the institution wsi
corporated, the graduating class was small in number
but they evinced in their addresses knowledge OF mt
and things" rejecting great credit ON both instruct
and pupil May they richly fulfil the expectations DO
out oy their EFFORTS OF o. yss,efaSsy If AMMx
conferred on Mr.. Theodore Blums, from Hanover, Ce
many. The faculty did well in presenting this honor6
the advancement Of St. Johns college; to his Kindness
ourselves during the day We wsro indebted for mar
This college, now in existence Al such for sfs
months, anu a seminary for only four years, is In
exceedingly hourshing condition. There are from
to lao students now under is roof coming IRON evsi
part Of the western continent who thoroughly Cd
Gated in all the languages sciences and Accomplished
ing sna Chapel s at cost Of has. Se.o .rsc
the preceding year, by collections raised throue
the exertions vi Rev Mr. Harley, President Of the CO
lege the chapel has in its windows the most 6oished
beautiful specimens Of stained glass in America. yer
important change will occur in the government OF
college at the opening of the next term. The prese
officers and professors be and their pl'
filed entirely by Jesuts from the StMarys seminary,
Kentucky how this will affect the prospects, Of the
stitution Bishop Hughes directs the change,
best udge It's evident though that an institution Lib
this, properly conducted, enjoying such advantages
locality and scenery and already popusr must osco"
years Let be conducted in the spirit Of modsr
ton and high feeling which has hitherto characterize
is progress both protsstants and catholics will hoc
to is fold from all parts Of the Union, and every countf
Of South America.