Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-08-16
For the Spy.
AnaIleraf CoIiege.

Amherst College.
On Wednesday morning, Wendell Phillips de-
livered the address before the Social Union. Il
was his Grafton on agitation" Of course, it
was splendid-in thought, presentation, and de.
livery. Earnest and powerful, he gives to great
ness of thought richness of expression, which
almost took away the breath of his audience, at
some of his grand periods. He showed the power
of the people to be necessary and fearfully dan
gerous, He then reviewed the subject negatively
proving with elaborate illustration that wealth
nor literary culture, nor the church, nor party or
ganization, were independent of the democratic
tendency of our national mind Then he argued
that, since there were no powers of influence out
side the people to restrain them to a careful and
deliberatiye movement, the only resource left us
is to introduce moral training and the earnest
ness of constant agitation into tn popular pow
er. 1t is inevitable and independents since, then,
it cannot be removed or restrained cultivate 1t to
self control and virtue The whole of this de-
monsuation of proper conservatism remarka-
BILE for fearless and vigorous radicalism of sem
timent. 1t is somewhat peculiar that severe per
sonal illusions should have been so freely in.
dulged as at this Commencement. Prof. Phelps
made reference to the public conduct of Theo-
dore Parker, though not by name, not more COM
plimentary than is usually regarded as proper.
Mr.. Phillips having paid most beautiful and
just compliment to the oratory of Edward Ever
EFT, spoke of him by name cold, heart
less, and destitute of principle. independence or
manlness. 1t is very pleasant to hear Wendell
Phillips cheered as he was on that morning, in
conservative old Amherst.
In the afternoon Rev. DR.. Nehemiah Adams
of Boston addressed the Phi Beta Kappa. We
must be INDUCED in saying that it was regarded
otrfEo TO- rbOsa bolo
of manly or literary merit is the average of elias.
steal and mathematical recitation. The effort of
the forenoon compared quite favorably with it.
Dr. Adams's subject was, we believe 1.-THE
Union. The address able as original
The speaker must certainly be regarded as quite
unfoltunata that he was thus preceded. Among all
his worthy qualities, he cannot be called an ora.
tor. What contrast between the bold greatness
OF one and the feeble see,saw, ''old saw of the
other
Wednesday evening, Dodworths Band gave
grand concert before packed and overlooking
audience. The evening remarkably beauti-
full. His Excellency Gov. Banks with his aids,
and Hon. Mr.. Burlingame, entered the church at
quite late hour, having just arrived
That evening, if we may trust "posters," the
secret societies had their annual reunions; and,
if we must trust certain oft repeated but smoth
cred sounds, had a jolly good time. These soce-
ties very prosperous, and Of very good social
and literary character and influence
Commencement day opened, as usual, with
rain, 1t, however, cleared off early, and the day
was quite hot. The house was filed, even to its
hardest standing and furthest-seeing privileges.
His Excellency and His Honor, Mr.. Chaffee, Mr..
Burllngame, and other distinguished gentlemen
were upon the platform. The speakers acquitted
themselves with credit to the class and the insti
tuition Yet we should say, that the last was far
better than the first. We heard mention ed with
especial praise the Valedictory address, and the
orations mystery" and "Modern Hero Wor-
ship" The exercises were highly spoken of by
the honorable visitors of the day.
The graduating class numbered 81. Among
the recipients of the honorary degrees was Chas.
Merriam, of Springfield, who was made Master
Of Arts.
made Professor of Latin. This is regarded by
many as unfortunate, on account of the gentle
mans youth, If not for other reasons.
The public literary societies of the College
Alexandrian and Athenian-threw open their
new halls finished, but not furnished 1t is gem
orally allowed, as far could judge, that the
room of the latter is fitted up in the best taste,
and with the best workmanship.
Two new buildings have been dedicated within
the year. The new dormitory building, east col
ege, contains forty eight rooms, seventeen of
them being double, accommodating sixty.ive
scholars, affording the most delightful prospect
of the Holyoke and Pelham hills. The view from
first choice room is nearly as good as that of
the famons frequented, ard very uncomfortable
mount ain in this valley
Williston Hall has for its first floor laborato-
ry and chemical lecture rUom--the former one of
the best in the country. The second story is de-
voted to the accommodation of the literary soci-
cites. The third story contains the Alumni
Hall.
The cabinets belonging to the College awaken
great interest, and excite the highest admira-
ton. w.