The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-08-20
The oommenoemen. at Ershine College.

| evening previous; ana aSalnug ourselves OF
the kind offer of friend took seat with him
behind his fast trotter. AS our Due West
friends are noted for early suppers. we took
care to start about 0 clock in the afternoon
and after rather warm and dusty ride of IL
miles. reached Mr.. Hawthornes in good time
Here the appearance Of things indicated the
| presence of an usual number of visitors in the
place. The large and capacious lot was crowd.
ed with vehicles, and the spacious piazza was
thronged with guests. The railroad had
! brought more than it's usual quota aud from
all parts of the District, tho friends aud r-la
tious of the Students. the young. the gay, and
the beautiful, had assembled to grace this Lit
erary festival with their presence and cheering
smiles.
At candle lighting, We attended the literary
| exercises, in Lindsay Hall. The usual cxerci.
| ses Of the evening consists of the Address be-
fore the Society of Alumni, and the various
literary addresses which accompany tho de-
livery of the Society diplomas. to the members
Of the graduating class. In the absence Of the
Alumni orator. Prof. J. IL Stewart Of the Nash
vile University. and the Rev. ii. Quigg. his
alternate, there was no Alumni address but
by way of compensation, tho large audience
were entertained with very excellent addresses.
by j. d. Cunningham, Of Abbevile who deliv-
cred the Diplomas on behalf of the Philoma-
thean Society, and by f. II. Pinkcrton, in re-
ply .; and by T. J. Mcdaniel in behalf Of the
Eurhemian Society, aud w. b. Morrow in re-
ply. There was tuo some fine music on the
occasion, from the Columbia Rifle Band. which
added much to the interest of the exercises.
Upon the conclusion Of the address the com
panv repaired to the Campus, and after listen
ing to the music, and viewing the illumination
of the Old College Building. they visited the
Society halls. where the young people amused
themselves, in a socin way until latc hour.
On Wednesday morning. the various Liter
ary Societies held meetings at an early hour, at
which the various regular and honorary mem
bers, in attendance, we're present. At the meet
ing of the Society of Alumni, S. W. Dunlap
Esq. Of Alabama, was elected the next orator,
and Dr.. D. a. Jordan, of Atbeville as his al
ternate.-Next followed the exercises proper
Of Commencement day. The company began
to assemble at an early hour and by 10 o'clock,
the spacious area Of Lindsay Hall, was filled
to overhowing. The hall is capable of hold
ng about 1000 persons. and we suppose that
not more than of those present on the occa.
sion. obtained admttance. -
After an appropriate pra, er by the Rev. Dr..
Boyce. the literary addresses were delivered
by twelve members of the graduating class
They all exhibited much taste, Judgment and
maturity of thought, and we're generally de-
livered in an easy, unaffected and manly style
The valedictory address by Mr.. East we
thought peculiarly touching. graceful and ap.
propriate, and it elcted general commenda-
ton. The following. is list of the names of
the speakers and their subjects Sa,utatory.-
L. P. Moeat, Obion. Tenn; The Literary and
Scientific Progress of Germany.-Jno. A. An
sley, Abbeville, s. c.. Aaron Burr.-C. B.
Boyce. Fairfield. S. c. National Recol lections,
the Basis Of National Greatness.-T NJ. Chiles
AbbevilIe. S. c.. Earth's Battle Fields-John
L. HemphiIl. Due West, S. c.. The Advance
ment of Southern Mind.-David Kerr, Char.
lotte, N. q. The sun.-James Lowry, Jeffer-
con- Ga. II. S. Legare.-T. NJ. McElwee, York
S. c.; American Progress and Influence.-J
c. Nelson, Upton. Tenn. The American Rev.
olution'-G. A. suber. Newberry. S. c. West
ward the Star OF Empire takes it. way."-R.
M. Wallace. York. S. C.: Valedictory-W WV
East, Laurens, S. G.
Next followed the delivery Of the Diplon as
and the Address to the graduating class by the
President DR.. Grier. The Address was one of
those chaste. terse, and appropriate discourses,
for which he is noteds and delivered in his us.
ual earnest and impressive style and as re.
marked by the Telescope. "was invested with
peculiar interest, by the fact, that it was pro.
badly the last, that We shall ever hear from
the present lightly esteemed and respected
president"
After recess Of an honr, the Anniversary
Address before the Literary Societies, was de.
lvered by the Rev. Mr.. McSwain His subject
was, The Great, the Beautiful, and the Good"
suggested probably by Cousin g treatise on The
Good. the Beautiful and the True" and charac-
terized BY much Of that Platonic elevation of
thought. and that classic ease and purity of ex.
preston which distinguishes the scourses of
the French Philosopher. The address gave
general satisfaction, and will add much to the
reputation of.the Speaker. as an acute and Wig
oronsi thinker, and as chaste and beautiful.
writer.
The Audience were still further entertained
a. night by very excellent addresses from
Messrs W. J. Lowry. aud w. W. Hood, ora.
tors selected by the Eupbemian Society, to de.
liver discourses on the occasion Of the dedica.
tion of their new Hall; a beautiful structure
which has just been completed atA cost of
about $4,000. The Society deserves gfeat cred.
it for the zeal and public spirit, with which
they have pressed on the work to completion.
Thus closed the Exercises. Of Commence.
ment day. and to the delight and qualification
of all. tbe.i friends Of the Institution. Ths-Col.
lege is nowan very prosperous condition un.
der the able management of Dr. Grer, and it
is a subject of regret to all that he has seen
proper to tender bis resignation.
Tho Great Comet Come at Last.
We learn from dispatches by the .Arsgo.
that the great comet Of Charles v, as it 10
sometimes dalled but better known To ast.on.