The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-07-19

COLUMBIAN CoLLEGE.-The annual commence
ment of the Columbian College took place yes
terday in the Baptist church on E street, at IL
o'clock The church was crowded with a large
and brilliant audience of ladies and gentlemen, and
we noticed, seated with the worthy President of the
his excellency the President of the United States,
the Postmaster General, Judge Collamer, the
Mayor, and other distinguished personages. The
students marched in procession to the church, ac-
companed by the Marine Band, and, upon their
being seated, the exercises took place in the follow
ing order:
Prayer by the President.
"The Era of Horace--its Poetry and It's Phi.
losophy," by A. Given Carothers, Washington
District of Columbia.
"The Power of Mental Combination" by F
H. Collier, Georgetown, d. C.-[MUslc.]
"Great Events from Little Causes" by C. w
Collier, Georgetown, d. C.
political Conservatism" by Thomas Jones,
Ddililnore county, mu-l MUSIC
ITO be wise,
It's but to know how little can be known
By A. J. Qunche, Galena, Illinois
"Home," by X. R. Richardson, Cave Spring,
Georgia. Music.
1.-The Eloquence of '76," by B. Stark, King
William county, Va.
independent Thought" by VIM. M. Young,
Edinburgh Scotland. -GMUsIc.l
John B. Canada, of Halifax county, Virginia,
was excused from the delivery of an assigned ora
ton or account Of ill-healih After benedicton.
ferred upon John J. Bergman, Va; A. J. Boul-
ware, Va. John B. Canada, Va; A. G. Carothers,
d. c.; F. II. Collier, D. c.; z. w. Collier, ID. c.;
b. u. Gaulden, Ga; r. II Griffith, Va; Thomas
Jones, Md; ]. G. NASH Miss; C. A Price, s. c.;
A. J. Quinche, ILL.,; R. r. Richardson, Ga; B. Stark
Va; and w. M. Young, Scotland. The second de-
gree upon Francis M. Barker, Va; w. l. Brookes,
Ga; Robert Burton, Va; Joseph Hammit, Pa.
George P. Nice, Pa; Horace Suingfellow, it,, Va.
In the evening, at 8 o'clock, the Alumni and a
large auditory were addressed by the Rev Baron
Stow, Of Boston, and the ceremonies of the present
commencement closed in manner rejecting the
highest credit upon the President, faculty, and STU
dents Of the college, which is increasing daily in
popular favor and usefulness.
The ALARM OF Far yesterday afternoon was
accustomed by the combustion Of quantity Of oil,
in the paint shop of Mr. VIM. T. Porter, on Penn
sylvania Avenue, near 9th street The damage
was triAng.
WAsHrseToN SEmisARr.--The annual exhibition
Of the students Of this institution will commence
be continued tomorrow afternoon at the same
hour.
The CRY CoUNols will hold an adjourned
meeting this afternoon, at o'clock.
ATTEMPT TO MuRDER.-A very dangerous and
deadly assault was made upon the person Of Mex
lean named Psralta, Ia servant Of Sefor Rosa, the
between 10 and II O'Clock. 1t appears that ParaIta,
in company with the steward OF the Minister. had
left Joyce's grocery store, at the corner of F and
18th streets on therway to the Minister'S residence,
about so yards distant, aud while separated for mo-
ment, Paralta was attacked, by some person or per-
sons unknown, struck on the forehead with slung-
shot, and left for dead the street, the party or par
ties making their escape His companion ran to his
assistance, and called upon passers-by for aid, by
whom the wounded man was conveyed to the house
Of the Minister. The services Of DIR. MAY were
speedily called in, who found the wound to be a
most dangerous one, and serious fears are enter
tanned that he canno, recover. The skull was dread
fully fractured, and trepanning was found ncces-
sery, which was skilfulIy performed by Dr. May.
On inquiry last night at 9 o'clock, we learned that
the condition Of poor Paralta was somewhat inn
proved, and hopes are entertained of his recovery