Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1849-12-12
Editorial correspondence.
COLUMBIA, Dec. 9Th. 1SA0.

On Monday last the Legislature adjourned TO
be present at the college commencement. A
great crowd was in atlendance-many more
than could enter the chapel. 1t is greatly 10 be
desired ll,a, the Legislature should make al,
appropriation to enlarge the Chapel or to build
n new one. The numbers who are attracted 10
the commencement 10 witness the exercises Of
their young friends, and TO give encourage.
ment to the institution, should certainly be uI-
lowed the privilege of attending. This is due
10 the success Of the college and the honor of
the Slae-in both Of which we should all talk c
pride. We trust The Legislature will not ah.
jonrn before making the appropriation. We
believe il will meet the appreciation of our peo-
pie, who are too well aware Of the great inn
portance Of the college 10 the welfare and honor
Of onr Stale, moi 10 wish 10 bcslow upon il,
every reasonable encouragement.
There were sixteen speeches from the gradu'
a!ng class. The sat,Iatory, or first honor adj
dresses were delivered by C. IL. SimonIin of
Charleston, and The oaicdictory or second honor
addresses by TT. GLOVER Of Orangebmg We
deem il unnecessary 10 make distinctions where
all acquitted themselves with SO much credit
The vcneral President conferred degrees on
6i young gcatlcmen-the argcs. class ever
known To have been graduated at the college.
The parting words of President Preston were
few, owing toliis feeble health and the prolong.
ed exercises of the day; but they wcie manly
in sentiment, and full of patriotic thought
lie bade the young men go forth into the world
with bold hearts, to "do the rigM-and 10 tell
The truth :" and ever 10 keep before their minds
the noble sentiment of Decatur. "oar country
al'oays right-bm our country right or ,orong."
May long and useful days await this honor
ed Guardian Of Cardinals youth Under his
wise aud prudent administration, the college
has grown into state of prosperity uncqnalled
at any former period Of its existence.
Gen. ]. II. Hammond delivered in the Col
lcsc Chapel on Tuesday evening the 4tIr inst.
lIe annual literary address before the two Col
Iegc societies. lie had a large and inlcscn,
audience. composed Of the elite Of bolh sexes
from the Town of Columbia, and from the nu-
merorls strangers a, The Capital. The address
was characterized by grea, ability and elegance
1t was as remarkable for lis comprehensive
views, for its lerse classic die
ton. Ii was, indeed, rich in classic lore
drawing lis aliuSions and Illustrations from lle
rich treasures OF the ancients. and from The ex-
tcnsivc mines Of modern science and literature
The main topic Of the discourse was the
basis of modern civilization. The great in,-
plovemcnls of the present day are not, in The
opinion of the speaker, tho results merely OF
Bacon's inductirc philosophy which has given
so grca, an impetus to physical and experiment
tai science; they do not depend rpon develop
mcnts in the mechanical and chemical arts
not on investigations. great rs they really are,
into mere matter but upon the aggregate
wisdom and Improvement Of the ancient and
modern world-upon the great truths and prin
ciples of mental, as well as of physical PhiIoso-
more, upon the efforts Of great Phi
Iosophcrs, Poes, Statesmen, and Orators, than
upon the labors of merely practical men. The
boasled superiority of The practical man Of
modern Times is Elusive. His claims to pre-
eminence can haye importance only in the
faulty and fallacinus reasonings of the utilita-
rian, whose views fall far bclow the high OBJ
jecls Of human attainment. in obedience 10
iile dicll Of the utilitarian school, it is become
fashionable 10 boast Of the rapid march Of mind
in this our age but proper reflection on events
serves to verify tic old saying" There is moti-
ing ncp undcr the Hearcns!" Where must we
20 for models in Philosophy, in Poetry, in Ora
tory, in the fine arts, even in physical science?
Plato and Aristotle are yet the masters in PHI
losophy, from whose systems, all succeeding
Philosophers, have drawn The light of their