The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-06-28

The usual ceremonies which precede or usher in Com
mencemeDt al Old Nassau Hall took place yesterday IN
the PRESBYTERIAN Church OF Princeton. The town was
thronged with visiters and the church was hed with
delighted auditory. The music lDod wonhs ~ T. piass
Band) exquisite and the exercises hgiy efedape
In the afternoon the Hon A. w Venabe, oil ~ y. the
speaker selected address the members OF the American
Wing and Closophie Societies, delivered very peculiar
and original yet very able chase, and finished ofaon
points and puport, and regret 10 do II even such una
vodabe in Justice 1t will doubtless be published IN iuii'
retrieve the impropetes OF our insconeep'lon
The aim OF the speaker to Impress upon the minds
of his Youthful hearers the immensely OF The claims oil
the world upon the citizen scholar he beautifully de-
scrbed the destiny OF the true scholar ana drew an m
pressiye distinction between him and the mere book
worm He defined the great duty OF the scholar 10 De 70
add the amount OF human knowledge Tor the beheh'
Of his He said there was such thing as 'na'oau-
aly in learning which, when carried to excess amount
ed 10 sefshness, and baneful IN It's tendencies
There was also soelatty which, exuberaniy indugec
was in effect spend,hrft prodgay lie theh aeser as
when carried TO excess-so bounhfuly benehcai wheh
harmoniousy blended :,
The scholars duty is also to disseminate truth. No
man lives for himself In this effort he should not con-
tent himself with occupying passive posilon nut ne
should also occupy his energies with the exposition OF
error. .,
He urged upon all the necessity OF exercising vigilance IN
inquiry Freedom OF inquiry never result IN injury 10
truth the Bible cannot stand the test OF severe scuuhy'
vanished facts, and human reason IS permitted 10 make
its own deductions. II ii is true has nothing 10 lear
from The increase of knowledge, art and science Ihe
unrollng of the musty mummy, or the mysterious deci-
pherng of faint and doubtful hieroglyphics upon bafks
of and ancient tombs, can never countepaace us
INN uabe truths. a..
He said instruction should be given in relation 10 Mngs,
and not merely words. The one creates mental IN
digeson-an intellectual disease-whie the other
strengthens and nvgoraes the soul Men are varousy
gifted and he who possesses greater power OF mind and
body must control society.
He uttered singular ideas disappearing OF public
school education which we forbear attempting 10 sketch
for fear of un ust Misrepresentation. :.
The great point of his address was that theory without
practice is unavaing in general benefit. The man who
acts exercises thought his VOCATION and thereby ad-
vances the good OF his race either in mechanical or
Worlds Fair tribute to the worth OF the ingenuity
and mechanicsm of man. To the statesman and scholar
must the world look for direction and advice but equally
great the machinisl and agrcalturist Their deeds are
greater than those of the warrior He called upon his
hearers to read books, but study men-sludy Nature
most OF all study your own minds.
He forciby remarked that the worst effect produced
upon society was by combinations based on error. Al
this point he evidently meant much more than he said
and pointedy exclaimed" Beware of associated mis-
chief ers-never seek obtain influence by haer-
ing vice justlfying wrong. Mental without moral
culture is a curse, rather than blessing to society,"
The closing part Of his address contained beautiful
tribute to the memory of DIR. Stanhope Smith, whose
death bed he attended He said that his last hours were
marked by the aabty of the gentleman, the refinement
of the scholar and the dignity OF the Christian He re-
feed, in similar strain, TO the death OF Dr. Green an
merited compliment to Professor MCLEAN, who is the
only remaining member OF the faculty OF 1919
He alluded feelngly TO the recoections OF his college
life and in speaking of the two literary societies. Justly
remark ed that their influence not exceled by any
other advantage OF this revered institution