New-York daily tribune., 1851-07-16


! but had not arrived at midnight.
OPERA--To-night Anna Bolena" Will
be gwen at Castle Garden, Boso as Anna, vietti As
the page Lorini as Lord Percy
ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT or ST. JOHNS
| CoLLEeE.-The annual Commencement OF 81. Johns
College, Fordham, was celebrated yesterday after
noon The spacious grounds in front Of the instu-
tion were crowded with the friends of the students
and the invited guests, of whom there could not
have been less than between two and three thou
sand great portion Of these were assembled I'M
der large tent, beneath which the literary exer-
cses took place. Archbishop Hughes and large re-
presentation Of the Clergy from this and other cities
were present The exercises commenced at two
O'Clock in the afternoon. previous 10 which the COM
pany partook Of an excellent collation. consisting of
the choices. viands OF the season. When the varl-
Gus items on the bill OF fare had been fully discussed
Mr John Young, of Brooklyn delivered an able
and elaborate Grafton. in the Latin Language, on
The Rise and Progress OF Roman Literature, and
its influence on Modern Languages The delivery
was characterized by peculiar distlnctness and ee-
gapce of pronunciation and the whole style OF the
Grafton was highly credltabe to the speaker. We
were told that il is customary in the Latin Glass to
conduct conversations IN the Latin language. BY
this admirable system the student obtains perfect
knowledge and command Of the language, which
enables him to both speak II and write with more
fuency than he could by the ordinary course adopted
In other institutions.
The next speaker was Mr. Charles Plckney OF
Waterborugh, s. C.. who delivered oration on
American Democracy. He took the ground that the
system of American Democracy was peculiarly suited
to the genus, mind, habits and affections of the
American people, and drew a contrast between them
and certain European countries. In this connection
he particularly inStanced the French, who he con-
tended had proved themselves entirely untitled for
Democratic institutions. Hence the utter failure OF
Democracy IN France-a country which he said was
either Arlstocratic or Monarchcal In its SPIRIT and
the great of the people of which yet trean their
old Arisocratic habits and Monarchcal predictions.
In France, he stated the great share of every ys-
TEN of Government established there since the Rev
olutlon the tendency of those in power to legls
late on everything-to make extreme laws and hnal-
ly to legislate themselves out of existence. The
same reflections he showed 10 apply equally TO South
America and TO Mexico where also the habits and
affections Of the people were either completely I'M
suited TO or at variance with perfect liberty and
equality 1t the United States on the contrary, the
public institutions based OF perfect equality,
and legislation intended for the benefit OF all, and
not intended to favor any particular class Hence
all no matter what their belief, or religion, could
aspire to the highest Offices in the Judiciary, the Leg
islatiye. the Executive, the Military and Naval
DEPARTMENTS of the country. Moreover, the speaker
said Aristocracy was completely overcome in the
United States-here all are equal. and no astinc-
tons of rank title but those attached to Office are
recognized all who can lay claim to the title of an
American citizen entitled to the full and unre
strcted possession Of the same privileges and rights
Here there are privileged classes, and not only is
the spirit of Democracy predominant in the natives
of the So but exhibits itself in the natives Of other
climes, who have spent only few years of their
lives in this country. This spirit, continued the
speaker, is more especially observable IN the chill
dren OF the European emigrant none, he SAID, were
more American in this particular than they. This,
therefore, was one striking feature which marked
the Democracy OF America The speaker claimed
for it the peculiar power that it possessed of assm
atlon, which not only constituted one of the great
elements of its present greatness but which made it
asylum for the oppressed and the enslaved Of every
cline England might sneer at her former Colony and
boast of her superior civilization and institutions,
but still neither to France which lay on the opposite
side of the Channel nor to England, which
Ireland's immediate neighbor, would he yield the
claim Of superiority Their people when they sought
to realize their aspirations after true liberty turned
their steps toward this country where true liberty
only exists. The Irishman and every other human
being similarly circumstanced IN the Old World,
turned their eyes to the Western Continent, where
liberty was not shadow, where equality was not a
dream, and where both held sway over the minds
and hearts of people of all classes and N every con-
dition Of life.
The temper of the American mind and the educa-
ton gysn to the people, the speaker said, tended
constantly TO give increasing tone and usor to this
spirit Of perfect equality. There very few men
in this country he continued, who not by their
education and habits able to discourse raionay and
with a full knowledge on every political ,opc of the
day that concerns the interests and welfare Of the
nation This insight, they pessess, into the coun-
uys history, the countrys wants, and the tendency
and relative position Of political parties is peculiar
10 the American freeman. The freze-elad wood
man of the East or West could discourse With as
much ease ON the conduct OF his political rulers, and
the questions that involved the most vital interests OF
the community at large, as the Oldest and most en-
hghtened Statesman and not only were the work
ing and farming classes In possession Of this poitI-
cal education, but they felt that they could acquire
for themselves and for thei- children, the highest
position held by the first Statesman IN the land.
The youthful orator concluded his eloquent dis
course of which we have gwen but an imperfect
outline, by adverting 70 the future prospects OF
American Democracy. II had nothing 10 fear, he
said Sc long as class attained anything Ike
hereditary prlylleges-so long as all Americans, no
matter What their genius, their position, or their
character followed the noble eramrie gwen them BY
the great founder OF this Republic They might have
no fear from beholding aspire, and especially as
pire with classes, to secure privilege or power to
themselves or their descendants. The man whose
sword liberated this country when offered regal
crown Indignantly dashed the brilliant bauble 10 the
earth declaring himself more happy In the blessings