The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-10-13
TO THE EDITOR or THE UNION.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE UNION.
| AS means Of divering the minds Of your read
ers for a moment from the ceaseless contemplation
of political matters in all their multiform phases,
permit 20 direct their attention TO a subject less
exciting il is true, but still highly important The
education OF our youth, the proper cultivation OF the
minds Of the rising generation, cannot be otherwise
than deeply interesting TO every patriot for on
them will depend the preservation Of the glorious
fabric of liberty under which we dwell. To their
care and supervision must be committed the contn-
uaton and ultimate completion of all the great
movements with which this truly progressive age
so abundanty teens. How important then, for
us to encourage and build up those institutions
which, by storing the minds Of youth with tera-
ture and science, will fit them TO perform their re-
spectiye parts in the drama Of life with credit TO
themselves and benefit to their race.
These reflections have been suggested by wit
| Messing the recent commencement Of the Columbian
College, which took place on Wednesday, the 7th
instant, in the beautiful and commodious building
of the street Baptist church, under the charge of
the Rev. G. W. Samson, Of this city. This inter-
esting ceremony was honored by the presence of
the President of the United States and his accom-
pIished lady, the Secretaries Of War and the Navy,
| and other high functionares Of the government,
together with a large and brilliant assembage Of
citizens and strangers.
| The services were commenced by an eloquent
fervld and appropriate prayer, by the Rev. Dr.
Bacon, president Of the institution, invoking the
Divine blessing upon the occasion, and especially
upon the class then about to bid last adieu to the
scenes and associations with which they had been
familiar for several years, and enter upon the more
active, and, perhaps stormy business Of life. After
which the candidates for collegiate honors proceed
ed to address the audience in the following order
|. Politics prejudicial to American literature:
Grafton, by J. c. Bagby, Steyensvle, Virginia.
2. The sentiment Of honor Grafton, by J. r.
bagby, SteyensVlle, Virginia.
8. "Tis distance lends enehanment to the view:n
" i Ia
lima.
4. The moral responsibility of nations: Grafton,
by r. Burton, Petersburg Virginia
). The extension of civilization in Asia: Grafton,
by X. s, Haynes, Bruington, Virginia.
6. The influence Of natural scenery; Grafton, by
L. w. Haynes, Burlington, Virginia.
7. The knowledge most valuable to an American
! citizen: Grafton, by J. Pickett, Fauquier, Virginia.
3. Elements of success in life: Grafton, by II.
Stringfellow, jr., Washington, ID. @.
9. Life, vegetable, animal, and spiritual A poem,
by G. p. Nice, Philadelphia.
Ii might seem lnvidious 10 single out particular
individuals, and speak Of their efforts as my own
feelings would dictate, and besides in so doing,
| might be unjust TO those omitted; for there must
ever be sympathy, for the time being between the
feelings Of the nearer and the theme of the orator.
in order to full appreciation of the merits Of an
Grafton, and hence arises the diversity of opinion in
regard to the efforts Of many of the best speakers OF
our country. shall therefore forbear and content my
exceptions acquitted themselves in a manner which,
while it reflected honor upon their own genius and
talents, at the time bore high testimony to the
fidelity, zeal, and distinguished ability with which
the faculty of the college had fulfilled the important
trust committed to their charge
IL is worthy Of observation that the students of
this institution, in all their public speeches. geneT-
ally exhibit manliness of style and manner, and
comprehensive enlargement of views, which distn
guish them, in pre-eminent degree, from those of
1 fbar n,.la.
marked, and is doubtless attributable, in a great
measure, to the advantages derived from attending
the important debates in the two houses of Congress
and in the Supreme Court, where the students can
listen to the speeches of the first of the coun-
try, and catch the inspiration of the master spirits
of the age
After the various addresses had been delivered,
the degree of A. B. conferred by the president
upon the young gentlemen above named, and also
upon J. Hammitt, Of Philadelphia, absent from in
disposition; and the degree of A. M. on p. A. Az
leu, Alabama; r. l.. Butts, Georgia; J. R. Garlick
Virginia; A. Gendrat, Alabama; c Graham, South
Carolina; James A. Haynes, Virginia; A. J. Hunt
ngton, District of Columbia; r. p. James, Georgia;
+. +. SmaIwood, North Carolina; A. B. McWhor-
ter, Alabama; and J. w. M. Williams, Virginia.
These interesting services relieved at intervals by
the spirt-strring strains of the marine band were
finally closed with benedction by the president.
In this hurried sketch, should not omit to notice
that on the preceding evening" the anniversary meet
"iS VI IshoslHlan ooVle(y OF COIege, winch
was held in the same place, and graced by crowd
ed attendance Of citizens The annual address was
delivered by VIM. ould, esq, of Georgetown, D. |
c., one of the alumni of the institution, on "The
influence of society upon government" 1t was
characterized by great ability, and listened to wit
profound interest The youthful orator illustrated
by variety of incidents, rich and imposing, drawn
from the history of man in every age, the great
truth that government is but the creature of society
deriving its power and force from the predominant
social influences of each respective age and that its
stability and frmness only be secured by con-
ormity to them in all its essential elements.
In reviewing the condition of our own beloved
country, he presented fearful picture of the many
causes now silently operating, which, springing
from the selfshness of man. and unrestraned by the
principles Of patriotism and benevolence, tend but
too surely to weaken and endaager the perpetuity
of our free institutions; and urged, with impasson-
ed eoquence, the great importance of strict adhe-
renee to virtne-public and private-as the only
means by which we could hope to escape the sad
fatality which marked the destiny of other nations
which have preceded US.
VIRGINIUp.
WAsHIseroN, Oct. 9, 1876.
Fort he