New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-08-02

JACKSON, La, July 70 1867.
Mr. EDToR-For the last three days have been attend
ing the exhibition of the Centenary College located at
this place and the has altogether been pleas
ing and delightful that have thought account of
might prove interesting to the and intelligent
readers of the Crescent and at the time might be of
service to the great of Southern education
The institution is pleasantly located at Jackson in the
midst of populous and highly intelligent region has
commodous and extensive buildings and during the past
session numbered 200 students The examination
took place the preceding week. and judging from the
port of the examining committee and visitors was highly
creditabe gave ample evidence of the ability of the
professors and the sudiousness and proficiency of the
scholars. On Monday night, the College Chapel
crowded witness the exercises of the Preparatory
Department. which, with defamation, dialogue, etc,
passed off agreeaby and with much apparent delight to
the audience. At an early hour Tuesday morning the
crowd began to gather and by 10 O'Clock the hall was
ensely packed with such audience rarely to-
,ether in the South On the stand sat side by side the
Governors of Louisiana and Mississippi and number of
distinguished officials and dyines Of the two States The
immense hall Allied to its utmost capacity, large
majority being ladies while the galleries, doors and win
lows were crowded by large number that could not OBJ
ain seats in sooth, assemblage Of fair women and
men, that could not attempt to describe without
being betrayed into extravaganza
The Literary Societies. headed by splendid brass band
composed Of amateurs from the College, and attended
the Trustees visitors and Alumni formed in procession
Ind made truly most pleasing appearance Six young
gentlemen the Franklin Institute Society," delivered
addresses that did them much credit. and which were
greeted with the generous applause of the crowd After
which, the Hon Henry Foote Governor Of the State of
Mississippi introduced and delighted the audience
With beautiful and appropriate private adress, replete
with classic beauty and elegant thought and which fully
sustained his distinguished reputation scholar and
rator He alluded to the Compromise but apparently
with the sole design of paying tribute to the genius and
xertions of the departed Clay, which he did most
quently and touchngly.
The annual celebration of the Alumni Association next
took place and at o'clock the immense throng again
sembled to listen to able and interesting address
Robert Bowman ESD of Clinton, Louisiana For chast-
of style elegance OF thought and appropriateness
illustration have rarely heard it surpassed and did
much honor to the talented speaker and to the Assoca
ton which he represented At night the celebration Of
Union Literary Society took place. and six other young
men, selected from the College classes delivered addresses
equally good that to parcuarse would be nvdious
Suffice it to say that they greeted with rapurous
plause.
The grand finale took place on Wednesday, when
young gentlemen took the degree of Bachelor of Arts
The following their names and the subjects of the
addresses. W. L. Nugent, St LandryLatin Sautatory
Address, the second honor; also English Grafton Tn,
Bible the foundation of Government. Marcus T. Carter
| Ninden-No Eoquence without Virtue. A. C. Huff, vii
kinson, Miss.-Mutabty. d. q. Montgomery, Washing
ton. county MissTriumphs of Mind j. Jay Lane, New
| oreaus--Genus and Piety of Bunyan. W. H. Montgo
merry Washington county Miss-Physical Science thirt
honor Charles Spencer of Catahoula first honor-The
southern Graduate, with yaedctory addresses The ad
dresses beautiful and well delivered and indicated
talents of the first order in the whole class The vaedc
tory address OF Mr. Spencer touching and eloquent
and dimmed many bright eye and manly cheek with r
repressble tears The Baccaaureate address was deli
vered by President Rivers The degree Doctor of Law
conferred Gen Foote and Master of Arts on Rob
ert Bowman, Esq, DR.. N j. Palmer Hon Charles Ga,
ARE, A, j HARDWOOD, W IL Scales, Tutuier, Danie
Williams Joseph Nettles and Geo b Ross.
In conclusion, Hon Charles Gayarre delivered by re
quest to the graduating class short address excellent
appropriate and beautiful that revived the enthusiasm
the fatigued audience, and most enthusiastica.
cheered Thus terminated of the most pleasing
sons ever witnessed that witnessed throughou
with pleasure and pride because indicated my
most clearly and satisfactorily the ability of the South
educate her talented and noble hearted and
but express the hope that the enterprise here in
progress may be generously seconded throughout tn
States and continue to achieve the good results
richly promised by the past d.