Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-07-22
FOR THE STANTON SPECTATOR.
WASHINGTON COLLEGE,
LEXINGTON, VA.

was high day at Lexington, the Athens of Vir-
ginia and proud day for Washington College.
1t was Commencement day, and town and country
appeared to emulate each other in doing honour to
this venerable aud valued institution. Every mo-
ment previous to | O'Clock announced the arrival
OF some vehicle, carriage filled to its utmost ca
pacity; besides the numbers on horseback which
poured constantly into the town, told the deep in
terest that was felt on the OCCASION At an early
hour the streets fthis beautiful village were crowd
ed; aud numerous were the glad greetings as
friend met friend, and classmate met classmate
Years had rolled away since some of us had met
in view of our cherished alma mater, and we re-
joced in the opportunity, thus afforded, of living
over again one day Of our happy undergraduate
history. "reminiscences of by-gone days thronged
our minds, and mingled emotions filled our hearts,
merry boyhood and early YOUTH
The moving groups were soon seen to proceed
towards the old Presbyterian Church. where the
exercises were to be held. Long before the APP
pointed hour the ample dimensions of the Church
were filled 10 overlooking with those who were
brilliant in intellect accomplished in literature.
promising in youth. and venerable in age, to enjoy
''the feast of reason and the flow of sou''
Among the distinguished strangers present on
the occasion, we noticed the Rev. Samuel b..
Wilson, ID. d., the Rev. John Hendren, ID. d..
Gov. Mcdowell, Col. j. r. Anderson, the Rev.
VIM. S. Reid, ID. d., Gen. Braxton, Gen. Rich
eson, Gen. Steenbergen, Col. Muntord, and Ro-
bert Johnson, Esq. The exercises were common
ced with an appropriate and solemn prayer by the
Rev. John Hendren, ID. ID. 'The Salutatory
Grafton" was delivered by John ID. S,errett, of
Rockbridge. This was well composed address.
We have never listened to an address in Latin
that we could follow with so much facility. This
was owing to the distinct and deliberate manner in
which this young gentleman spoke. The address
was well received and highly applauded We
doubted ono Of Mr. Sterretl's positions touching
the abiding certainty and continued permanency of
our free institutions. We rejoice, however, to
know that for the continued and uninterrupted pros
perity of our country he fears no evil.
James ID. Campbell, of Lexington, delivered the
next oration-"On the Influence of Intellectual
culture on the Progress of Civil Liberty" This
was a sensible and well-tmed address. Where
the people are sovereign they should be intelligent
The fountain should be pure, if bitter waters are
undesred the sources of power should be enlight-
ened and virtuous, if we expect TO enjoy freedom
and happiness. Nothing will save us from madly
rushing upon our own ruin, but the diffusion of
knowledge and the incubation of divine truth a
mong the mass Of our rapidly increasing population
The simple truth, with regard to Virginia, is an
appalling commentary Oh these principles Sixty
thousand Of our adult population who can neither
read nor write Let our statesmen ask themselves
what influence this fearful Of intellectual cuI
ture will exert our free institutions.
F. L. Glasgow, of Rockbridge, delivered the
next oration-"On the Influence Of Memory on
Human Happiness This was very neat and
pleasing address, The illustrations were clear and
torcible The good man was exhibited, as looking
back from the borders of the grave upon a well
spent life, in very happy manner. His benevo-
lent deeds, and humane acts, appeared in the retro
spect like sunny isets in summers sea-"
Every fresh leaf of memory which he retraced
brought re.reshment to his heart, and proved to
him what the oasis of the desert does to the weary
wicked man was brought in view Of death, to look
back with remorse upon the past, and with awful
fOrebodlngs upon the future.
VIM Il. Patton, of Fincastle, delivered very
manly and eloquent address, "On the subject of
American Literature" He spoke forcbly and
justly touching the disadvantages under which au-
thors labored, and the little encouragement that
was given TO learning and learned men. He show
ed the necessity of an International copy right law
whereby authors could secure the profits arising
from their own labors OF all property man can
possess there is none essentially his own as the
labors of his mind. Man acquires the fruits OF his
fields by the sweat of his servants and his beasts of
burden and the produce of his manufactures by
the movement of his machines but it is by his
own toll, by the exercise of his most exalted facul-
ties, that he creates the productions Of his mind.
John w. Holcombe, of Madison, Indiana, deli
vered "the Cincinnati Grafton" This was tru-
ly eloquent and patriotic address. 1t was heard
with fixed attention, and during its delivery was
frequently appauded. The causes and origin of
tho American Reveluties ~oJe- beautifully and
graphically sketched. The heroes of l776 were
brought forward in rapid review, and highly
wrought, but justly merlted, eulOgy passed upon
them. In this constellation of heroes the Father Of
his Country stood pre-eminent. He spoke Of the
men who formed and constituted the Cincinnati
Society as fearless patriots; as having fought and
bled for their country, and then, when about to re-
tire into the repose and quieude of private life, as
dedcating the fruits of their iabour to promote the
cause Of sound literature and science, and in this
emulating the example of cldrum ct pcncraLile
nomen, which gave the name to this institution of