New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-08-02

JACKSON, LA, July Is, 1898,
MEssRS ED1ToRs-It is with much pleasure
that | resume my office of occasional correspon-
dent. to lay before your numerous readers an
account of the Exhibition of the Centenary Col
lege, located at this place. l may premise that
the last twelve months Of the College exhibit a
condition Of increased progress and unsurpassed
prosperity, its catalogue showing the large num-
Der of two hundred and sixty pupils, and that
Centenary College, so anxiousy regarded by a
large circle of devoted friends, has now unqucs-
tionably attained a high position OF certain sue
cess, and Of active and extended usefulness,
Situated on the outskirts of this pleasant vii
lage, in the midst of portion Of the State, the
population of which, for refinement, morality,
intelligence and TASTE may successfully vie with
any other; presided over by Professors Of ac-
knowledged ability and industry, her Alumni
| assuming throughout the two States Of Louisi-
ana and Mississippi positions of usefulness and
distinction that afford ample earnest Of eff
cheney, the assertion may confidently be made
that this Institution affords to the youth of the
South equal scholastic and superior social adj
vantages to any other in the land And it is to
be hoped that the citizens, in view OF such facts
will ere long lay aside the folly Of sending
Southern boys to Northern Colleges, to live idly
and extravagantly, to lavish ample incomes upon
strangers, and bring home with the eciat Of n
Northern education nothing but bad habits and
false social views, and feelings Of estrangement
from the friends and companions Of their youth.
But to the exercises of Commencement
On Tuesday afternoon the Alumni Associati ton
was addressed by Charles McVea, ESQ, of Gin
ton, a graduate of the class of $780, on the sub
ject Of National Literature. 1t was chaste,
beautiful and classical address, rejecting much
credit on the speaker. The anniversary of the
Literary Societies, Tuesday morning and Tues
day night, was extremely interesting, and the
young gentlemen who represented them spoke
with unusual excellence and with many fore
shadowings of future +, nown. | regret that my
limited time and space prevent my furnishing
you with description Of each Wednesday was
Commencement day, and being unusually bland
and pleasant, at an early hour the village was
astir tasteful equipages, bearing fair burdens,
came pouring in from the adjacent country, and
by o'clock the spacious chapel was filled by
an audience such as but rarely greets the fears
and emulations of young orators. Sage Profes.
sors and gray haired Divines, distinguished pro-
fessionals and high State functonaries, troops
of scholars and a glowing galaxy Of blooming
DANES and lovely maidens passing fair" con-
stituted the vast and imposing audience Six
teen young gentlemen came forward as candi-
dates for Baccalaureate distinctions, and by
their eloquent and forcibe addresses proved that
the honors were correctly bestowed
The following is the programme Of the excr-
cises
/. Latin salutatory, Second honor) W c.
PTPKIN, St Helena, La
2. The Golden Age and the Iron-A Contrast
g. H. RATLGFF, West Felicana, La
3. Moral Power. J T HousroN, Mindon, La
4. Perseverance Ensures Success. JOSEPH A.
MCPHERSON, jackson, La.
s.. Triumphs of Genius. 7. c, HERMAN, Jack
son, La.
g.. Progress of Mind SANFORD PERRY, Jack
son, La.
T.. Education, the Basis of Liberty. JAS. W.
SAUNDERS, Wilkinson county, Miss.
s. Hopes. WALTER S. CoNPfoN, Vicksburr,
Miss
O.. Essay F. NJ, GUIeE, Concordia, La.
10. Philosophical Grafton, third honor. -
IL. Geology = Progressive Movements of the
Creator. Gro II. CLINTON, ST. Helena, La.
II. Mantle Emperor of Nature CNHNEs,
Texas
-. .Life-A Battle and March. W, W DUNK,
West Felciana, La
IA. Be Just and Fear Not. G MERRIcE NIL
LER, jackson, La.
10. Enthusiasm. G s. c. DosTER, Montgom-
cry, Ala
l6. The American Head and Heart, with Vale
dictory Addresses, first honor) ROBERT
PUGH, Assumption, La
Il. Baccalaureate, by the President
Is. Degrees Conferred
10, .Benediction.
After the Baccalaureatc Address of Professor
Rivers, the degree Of A. NJ. was conferred on
the class of 1850, numbering twelve and 50
closed this interesting occasion, full of pleasure
and confidence to the friends Of the noble cause
Of southern Education, and inspiring them with
renewed hopes Of its future and yet more tri-
lmphaut success II