Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-06-29
Editorial Correspondence.

4
PowuArAs O. H.. June 81, 1854. 4
Tie Annual commencement exercises Of Hsmpden sgd
ney College were opened the l4h inst and continued
tuodays On the first day, addresses delivered b,
representatives Of the Uuion aud Soce
ties to their respective members. The frat address
that Of Mr. Van Zin OF Petersburg tho orator Of th,
Union Society," who chose for his subject "The claims
Virginia on her educated sons" He began by Informing
his audience that no Vg inan, but that no
New Yorker by birth and from the tone Of his re-
marks Il was very evident he likewise In feeling
The audience then informed that their speaker
drew breath the banks of the beautiful and romantic
Hudson that he proud of being adescendant Of the
Old Knckerbockers and that no cordially de,ested that
animal known by some Northern man with Southern
principles" After few words in regard to HIMSELF
his feelings. aud his symPs,hies he commenced to touch
upon his subject He held that the exclusive devotion
the whole energies Of the people to agriculture alone
taking every thing from aud retaining nothing the soil
had reduced Virginia from the first the eighth subor.
dnate position among the States both In wealth and re-
sourccs that she only distanced the North
but that she had likewise been dsanced the South
ITSELF In many respects she had even fallen below New
jersey that selvsge Of State no, much larger than -four
or i've OF our first counties aud which as he prety
expressed t ~ Srated its centre at every Of the
Atlantic" He expressed himself as deeply panied at
being compelled TO perform dssgrceable duty thst
OF reeoun,ing the deficiencies of Virginia. He hm-
sell, proud of being called Vrsinau. He ssd tina, il
was the duty Of the educated Of the State reflect
deeply upon these things how painful they might
he, aud to revove the momentous problem OF relief Aud
whe he did feel called upon discuss this problem
he could refrain from ghucius at some of the
views suggested 1t the duty OF each and all OF
citizens todevo,e his whole energies to the greatest
possible good attanable with their capacities The habits
Of our people, he said first be materially changed
before could be relieved from inferior position
Our merchants must longer be satisfied with slight
knowledge OF hook keeping, and the range of the pacu
lar commodities in which they dealt. They must study
aud learn the laws OF Commerce and the resources they
would wish TO advance Vrguias prosperity Our Phys-
clans, he said must not be satisfied only with diploma
which they could read and with which they per-
mittei TO 80 abroad to depopulac the world They must
learn Sy hard study some OF the ideas of medicine
Our lawyers must not DO merely with knowl, dge
enough OF Kent and Blackstone obtain license to prac
tce Law special CROATIA and learn some higher aim
than btng popular speaker the bar County Court
Alter making good deal of fun OF the T. +. Vs. which
particular class he said had become the and pest
citizens OF other States he closed by informing
while tie blood OF the civilian coursed through veins
yet lad entirely lost his higher virtues aud his restless
energies II would then follow those suggestions aud
keep constantly in view these facts, Virginia might vet
become the France of America. lie said that of |
atc-alIdng doubtless the efforts OF the members of
the State Agricultural Socety-thcre had been displayed
some energy, some progress some improvement but this
might be the orrunnero yet deeper legarthy
His speechthroughout beautiful and able one and
was well received by the audience The Speaker has
very fine flow OF words aud is in my gmeut most cap
TALLY suited for 18th of July orator. Tor such
sion as the late He also said be very able
and eoauest dyne ia the brief outline of his speech
which have imperecuy given il has my desire not
TO do Mr. Van Zint intentional injustice and if through
mistake such has been the case that some one
whose opportunity for hearing aud judging was better
than my own, will correct The next address was
delivered By the Hon. Abraham w. Yenable of y. c
who, on this OCCASION represented the Phlanthropc So
ciey. he spoke against all reforms /, was not INV for
tune TO hear his address, but have been informed that
was both able and Instructive In the evening the anniyer
sares OF the to soceteg celebrated by respec
tive members with much credit many very Gne speeches
being made by the differ Of the occasion On the
% day. Thursday, the audience addressed by the
graduating csss many OF whose names regret not
been my good fortune to obtain The College yaedctory
was delivered By Mr. Charles H. Winston Chesterfield
who's young man of fine talents and much promise The
speeches OF the Graduates generally very good and
would particularly notice the address of Mr. Robert
Davis OF Halifax, the Lutheran reformation as one
the most chaste and beautiful efforts have listened 10 for
a long time. Mr.. Davis was awarded one Of the first
honors Ia bis class and likewise received the Speak
ets medal in the Philanthropic Society This medal
will always prove great stimulus successful ereton
At the close of Mr. Davis address, Mr. Robert Dabney
OF Powhatan, was introduced the audience by the
President as the gentleman selected by the faculty 10
deliver the Masters Grafton from the graduating class
1881. Ar Dabney'I remarks devoted TO some |
thoughts upon the present condition of or literature He
reviewed the present Ctarlnism of the age and
IL TO be 10 cause OF regret the lovers of literature lie
thought that the age of great the forerunner
The age OF deep thinkers That when there should be
less action less restless activity there would follow race
OIL "a deep thinkers as had ever lived upon the globe He
exhibited the influence of the spirit of the age upon the
character Of its lstiers-its influence in directing its adj
ventnrers rather 10 the scientific than that which was to
be oil use to men OF the present tme-han what was cal
cuaed SIMPLY to excite emotions OF beauty aud in this
branch he clearly proved its superiority The discourse
was delivered in very graceful manner and he closed
II by concratuIating the audience that Virginia would
bear her part In the glory Of the coming literature and
by an appeal to the f he State TO swear eternal
iealty TO the sacred Dettons Uf the Old Common
Mr Dibneys speech listened with great attention
and frequently interrupted by ouburss Of applause On
his closing the Diplomas delivered to the graduates
nv Dr. Green aud after some stirring strains from the
Petersburg Band the crowd dispersed 70 prepare Tor the
party which to be given night by the Student.
TO the graduating class. Accordingly about o'clock
found myself In the large and cap cious Hail. selected by
the managers Tor the OCCASION and in the midst of very
heautfd and select assemblagc of young ladies' from
FRINGE Edward and the surrounding counties Prince
Edward county has always been renowned for the lowell
ness OF her daughters and this occasion she more
than surpassed her former well earned reputation Pc
tnrsburg too the gallant little cockade was we'll repre
scented, while AoltoTay, Amelia, Lunenburg aud Char
ioe sent forth their beauty Ia great numbers Alto
gather vas one Of the most pleasant commencement
parties have ever attended 90 the next commence
ment the Societies will be representa- by the Rev Dr.
Wardsworth Of Philadelphia on the part othe Union and
VIM Pope Dabney. Esq, Powhatan, on the part of the
Phianthropic Society. JES
FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF