Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-06-11
COMMENCEMENT or THE N. CARO-.
LIMA UNIVERSITY

The annual Commencement a. this Inslitution
was we learn from several of our friends who par
ticipated in its exercises the most brilliant and i'm
terestiag affair of the kind which the old North
State has ever witnessed within her borders. The
visit of the Chief Magistrate of the republic to the
hallowed halls of his alma Mafer, would alone
give this commencement an eclat hitherto unrivaI
OF visitors was very large-scseral thousands were
present; and our informant thinks that there
would have been twice as many, had it not been
for the fear of not being able to get accommOda-
tons. As it was, it is really surprising how and
where so many persons stayed in and around the
quiet little village OF Chapel Hill.
We are pleased to learn that the Presidents
visit TO the alma Mater of his youth has been the
source of so much pleasure 10 himself and to the
good people of the old North State. All were de-
lighted with the Kind, courteous and engaging
manners ofMr Polk. Every body seems to be
pleased with what be did and said. On the other
hand, we learn. that Mr.. Polk and suite were ex-
tremely gratfed with the warmth and coriiality of
the reception with which they met. We clip from
the Raleigh Register of Tuesday last the following
account of the exercises of Commencement week:
| The Public Exercises commenced on Monday
nigh, and were continued until Thursday eve
ming.
| The President and suite arrived at Chapel Hill
on Monday afternoon at 5 o'clock, and being es-
cOrted to Gerard Hall by procession, was wei.
co cd TO the University by Gov Swain. in an adj
dress distinguished throughout | y eminent courte-
sv O. sentiment and chasteness of diction. Mr..
Polk responded most feIcitously returning his
heartfelt thanks for the cordial reception given
him, and abiding most feelingly to the death Of
the venerable and lamented President Caldwell.
under whose tutelage he had derived most of those
lessons of useful instruction which he h endea-
vnred to turn to profit in after years. He reiOiced
that moment of leisure from the incessant rou-
tine of his official functions had been afforded him,
wherein to pay afectionate visit to this sanctu-
airy of learning, and returning his sr, teful ac-
acknowledgements to his alma Mater for the ad-
vantages she had extended to him. Judge Mason
also returned his warm thanks in few neat and
appropriate remarks, for the welcome which had
been offered him 10y the University. Altogether.
the ceremony OF reception most pleasing and
interesting especially to every whose bosom
throbs with pride at the reputation aud condition
of our Institution. Indeed, the literary annals of
this or any other country may be ransacked, and
there will he found parallel incident where the
Chief Magistrate of the land, one of the highest
officers of his Cabinet. and an ex Governor of one
OF the States OF the Union, were present on such
an occasion at an University, where they had gra-
duated respectively 80, 81 and 80 years previous
Monday night was set apart for the delivery of
the ValcdictOry Sermon before the Senior Class,
al, H. II L
we have conversed express but one op Mon in re-
gard to this most excellent and learned Preate's
discourse, and that is, that it was most touching
and impressive.
On Tuesday night, there were exercises in Dec
lamation by speakers selected from the Sophomore
and Freshman Glasses and, on Wednesday NOR
ming at | | o'clock the annual address before the
two Literary societies was delivered by James w.
Osborne, Esq, Of Charlotte. This gentleman's
we'll known reputation as an accomplished scholar
and orator was fully sustained in the present in-
stance. For about an hour and half, he enchain-
ed the attention of his large audience with one of
the most chaste and eloquent addresses ever deliv-
cred at the University. There was no tinsel a.
bout it. No literary founces were brought to de-
corate the skeletons of thought. hut there was
seen throughout, that rich embroidery which can
be found only in the store.house of we'll cult
ton is saidto have been most beautiful and it ap-
peared to thrill throughout tie whole audience
There not heart in that vast concourse, we
> are sure, that did not give responsive Amen to
the touching sentiments Of the speaker. 1t is,
however, unnecessary to enlarge upon the topics
OF Mr. O.s address, as we learn it is to be printed
, On Wednesday night immense auditory
was assembled, to witness the meeting of the
, " Alumni Association" and hear the address o.
Judge Mason, (Secretary Of The Navy on the &C.
casion A very large number ofthe Alumni were
present, and Gov. Morehead having introduced the
= speaker 10 the assembly, he rose with his known
urhanity ofmanners, and delivered most beaut
fu-yes, beautiful address. Every foot of The
: path which the orator travelled, appeared to b,
4 strewed with the beauties of rhetotic and Tho
= charms of fancy. Trope and smile flashed il
quick succession upon the minds of his audience
electrfyng at times the dullest inte lect
!, relieving throughout the natural roug hness o
those massy rfeclions which fell from the lips o
the orator, with all The earnestness ofaffeclion an'
pride for those whom he addressed. He made
very appropriate alluson TO the visit of the Presi
{ dent Of the United States, who sat near him ant
n his eulogy upon the character Of that Father O
the University, President Caldwell, was remarka
BILE for lis beauty and pattos After de!ineatin
his many virtues, he concluded this part of his ad
uTesS Will the CeleDTdtcu lines WHICH NHUHSUcuT
puts in the mouth of Antony while gazing upon
e the dead body of the noble Brutus
il His life was gentle, and the elements
: So mixed in him, that nature might stand up
. And say to all the world-l'HIs MAN !!
" And we'll did the life of that venerable Father G
IS Science deserve such tribute And appropIiat
" indeed did it come from one, who in the pursuit
= ofhgh anhition--am:d>t the vexing of Stal
can turn aside TO cast evergreen upon th
J grave of him who was, in times past, his doubl
honored Pieceptor
If We truly proud TO learn. that the A unn
q unanimously determined to erect by suhscriptio
q from their body. another Monument TO DR.. Caic
/ we'll more worthy of his high fame, and more CT
- ditabe to the State. than the which now stand
. in the University Grove.
= Thursday COMMENCEMENT day, and th
> FORENOON.
i l. Sacred Music.
q 2. Prayer.
r. 8. Salutary Grafton, Gin Eng'ish)
Matt w. Ransom. Warren county
= 4. Salutary Grafton. lin Latin
Samuel ]. Erwin. Lincoln Go.
= 5. Grafton. UtiIitarianism."
Eli w. Hall, Wilmington.
le 6. Grafton. "Quisque sue f.rtrna taber !"
u Joel d. Battle Chapel Hill.
y 7. Grafton. National Insanity"
u Lionel l.. Levy. New Orleans.
10 6. Grafton Revival of Literature"
y J. c. Coleman, Halifax Co., Va.
1t 8. Grafton. public opinion