New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-25
FREE ACADEMY COMMENCEMENT.

FREE ACADEMY COMMENCEMENT.
Judging from the crowded state Of Niblos Theater
few Iersons at all interested were deferred by muddy
streets or lowering skies from being present at the
c. mmencement Exercises Of the Free Academy yes
terday morning. All of the seats in the building
from the orchestra TO the topm)st gallery,
thropged with briiantydressed ladies, and the whole
theater looked Ike vast conservatory Of gay flowers
only here and there relieved by black coat two.
TIE mbers Of the Committee of Arrangements, dis
tinguished by satin badges fitted about everywhere,
conducting their fair friends TO their seats promen
aiding with them IN the hall outside OF the au
dilOium but nowhere were visible the black silk
gowns 70 common to College Commencement,
nor could We see single gooen eros, or any other
emblem se nifyng that the wearer belonged TO some
secret college fraternity with mysterious Greek title,
with whom he passed his hours in convvial ideuess
when be should be mindlng his studies. Instead OF
blushing all over with such gi'teing baubles, the
Young men OF the Graduating Glass seemed, for the
most part earnest students, whose heads and hearts
hac been bent on storing their minds with that kDowl
edge which would fit them for the life they were just
about 10 enter upon.
As usual on snch occasions, the younger students
were present in full force, and embraced every oppor
unity TO give vent 10 their enthusiasm in round cheers
and other hearty demonstrations of delight and appro-
baton.
Dr. Webster, and comprising the Faculty Of the Acad
emy, the Board of Education, number OF invited
guests ana the graduating class, entered the theater
soon aft,r 10 O'clock and took their seats upon the
stage. Dodworth's Band struck up an overture,
which was followed by the announcement from Mr..
NIILsOS Pre- sdeDt Of the Board of Education that the
of the day would be opened with prayer by
the Rev. Mr.. SING.
TIE minister offered an appropriate prayer and the
Band gave some selections from popular opera.
DR.. WEBSTER then called the graduates in the fo,-
lowing order, and introduced them to the audience.
The first speaker wGs
LEWIS {. BAYLEs, whose theme, 1.-THE Memory of
% the Good was well treated. In easy and grace
full manner he happily illustrated the Immortality that
ever enshnnes the deeds of good men, and make
-" the aeious Of the ju't
Smell sweet and blossom in the dust"
Mr.. Bayles made his bow and rereated before a
storm of applause, with bis arms full of flowers
FRANCIS A. Mason was the next speaker. His sub
Jet, THE Progress Of tue Anglo-Saxon Race was
expaiaied upon with all the enthusiasm of Young
America In Mr.. Mason's opinion the powerful race
that ,roueht civilization 10 this country and spread
from the Atlantic to the Pacific the blessings of peace
ful pTogress destined vet to achieve the glory of
rolling the tide of Iepubcauism not only all over his
continent bat back upon the shores OF Europe whose
nations it would lap up in one universal brotherhood.
Another round Of applause and another armful Of bou
quets sent the champion Of the Ana lo-SaxOn Race
with his biushiDg horors behind the scenes.
To give the audience breathing spell, the band
played the lively Gitana' music and the ringing
Al wi Chorus from the IrOvatore.
LUIS FERNASDEz spoke to " The Spirit of the Age
America he thought destined TO eclipse all the
OF creation in art, science and iterature and
an earnest of what she would do had already given to
the world many great painters, poets, philosophers
and men illusriO for their scientific discoveries.
Tie sps aker retired from the stage with the most ap
p owed honors.
Human Sympathy" by DAYTON w. SEARLE,
was eydei ty subject after the speakers own heart.
He showed sympathy for his audience by being very
l.r.v l,osft -
nlendable He drew graphic picture Of the hard
cold selfish man, whose heart is iron and whose brain
is bruss-who having never warmed 10 the glow OF
genuine sympathy with his fellos msn, lives un-
blessed by the emotions of love- and unchasteued By
the softenng influences OF souow, and then dies IN
lameuted by single being in The vast universe. And
the speaker gave the opposite character with equal
force and dstiDctiveness.
GroFGT J. GRFESrIELD delivered the PhlosO3h-
icel Ora'on on Impulsiveness of Human Progress"
Toe speaker illustrated bis subject by comparison
betw en the present condisns of the Indian aud An
eo-SsxOn on this continent. The almost total
exieruinaon of the former, and the establishment of
Almighty race in their place in the space Of two
turies be thought, gave no Inadequate idea OF the
impulsiveIess OF modern progress which keeps away
the long established landmarks of order OF things
TO plani another in its place.
The Sleigh-Ride Polka with torpedo accompGn-
uent filed the interval and relieved the almost
haused audience. The remaining exercises wfre
" Dissertation" on the Constitution OF the Uni'ed
ESTATES" by Z. Dwight Church, an Grafton,
Events Of Moment" by Charles s. Whitman; a
Dissertation, Luxury of the Times" by Warren w.
Kimbal: and al 0rstion " The Philosophy OF His
tory by James w. Mason. AlDof which were
spiritedly spoken and greatly applsuiei
Then followed the presentation of medals and prizes
Tie "Ward Medals were assig Ded to the follow
ing young gentlemen:
cismisry. wm- H. Abe; Ss,Gr. History, 3 D4,eber;
Natural Philosophy T. Rising Moral Philosophy RISING
Law wr. II. Abel; English r. 5 Rising; Greek. A Nc Null
kp Lsn. Charles H. Pratt Ferch w. Mssoni Spanish,
Wiener; German. l. Fernandez; Compo.ition Charles r.
Pratt; AstTonoy, MeAai.-n; History. 5. Bloom i.ld;
p-.wns Pasons; Algebra and Geometry o. \. Ireland;
Ensineerns wH H. Abel; Physiology, .. B. Ireland Logic,
D. o. Fsruing.
The "Ptl" gold medal for general good conduc,
was awarded 10 A. McAullen; the Burr medal for
mathematics TO William IL. Abel, and the II rom-
well medal for History and Bellies Lettres to Il. A.
Dopaldson-
The degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred on
the following candidates:
william q Abel, Charles w Alsndorph. Hsnsn B.beock,
Water Brnkerbof William NJ. Cole William II. DeCamp,
lus Fernandts James II. Grznf George Grsen6ed isuef
B. House. Samuel Jssop Robert b. Keysr. Varren W. Kim
ball Bepjsnir y Lee Jr William Mems Adams, Alvin A
Alvcrt, L~wh bsyies. Dwight Church. Cnsrss Daily.
Hush AsearIne JE, Francis A Mason. James W. Macon,
Benry A. Pest, hossei Raymond. Alfred Rowcl Thorudyte
T. sssn5sn Dayton W. sssSs, p. Bonnst Wight, Charles g.
Tt. Jor-~ea Of R.-hsIa- NJ Sc;arrss xsz couf.rra1