The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-03-14
Certificates Of honor were conferred upon

flsher, II. Y. sstYuhk, JOhn Ala
Hail. T. A.. s%..S, Mas
h.ii, w.........s.G s SSs y! w.......avsss
Dr. Aosss prizes presented By the PRESIDENT;
swarded-Goid medal u Or Clarence Cameron N T.;
silver medal, W III. Abbott Hodgman, Mass.
Dr. Metcaips pr;z.s-Ar Geo. f. Post, n. r.; Dr. Ed
nune Rhet, Walker, C.
PROFESSOR BKDFoRD'Y ADDRESS.
Doctor GuSSsos BEDFORD delivered the valodictory
address OF which weSive brief abstract
Gentlemen Charlottesville Agreesble duty or address
tag YOU interesting occasion having devoyed upon
me take great pleasure in Offering you my sautAtons,
and bidding you cordial welcome 70 the ranks Of pro
fessea exalted in caAracet and philanthropic in its
objects fhe diplomas when you have ustreceived
from hands OF the learned Chancellor OF the Unver
wnose purpose has 70 guide and instruct you in
the principles and practice OF medicine The duties which
vii De called upon to assume are OF nature well cal
cuAteo make you pause and awaken IN your minds
.Ds nSas and ssT s % h sn
nightly walks amidst pestlence and suferp ne Is
engaged In unc-s-ng conflict with disease, az rhen
is about ~ make mokery IL ais SKILL tnen De
comes his duly-his beng profession OF mercy-to
soothe by knS the last moments OF expiring
nature In the beautiful language Of the poet:
Glorious your sm-to ease the laboring heart;
To war with death, and stop his tying cart;
To the source whence the fierce contest grew
Anc lifes short easier terms renew,
To calm the pnrensy OF the burning brain,
And heal the tortures OF implor1rg pain;
Or when more powerful Ills all efforts brave,
To ease the vicum no device can save,
And smooth the stormy passage 70 the grave
such a-e the offices of medical practitioner and you
viii discover after you shall become engaged in the
yeur profession that the sreaeet happiness Of
the physician consists dispensing health and happiness
70 those who may ooande in his judgment and skill
The Of the ply scian is not ike the time OF others
Sto ali se festive euoymsnss Of Society and Whist IN
the pursuits their mnds are lar removed above
the contemplation or human suffering, v ns pace TO
pesscnoe sweeps the Land, and the paor OF dismsy is
every counsenance-when the rich man hees 70
some SPOT Of shelter himself and my-where is the
physciaas Like the good samaritan, he Is In the very
midst the conflict bus struggles are with pcstlence and
end children ne responds the call o., actonhe is
bore and there, m,nsering V the wants OF his fellow
Anacus you who have this night been constituted
members Of the profers,oA there 10 not, sure,
who dee net oos for honorable distinction aud LOOK Tor
ward with soicude 10 the attainment OF name
Which shall give MIN rank among his fellow men Wnipt
unite IN the pleasures OF the festive scene ana
enter largely men. Of SOCIAL life, the cham
Der and its cares Is the abode
OF the pny Tiers is that he IS enabled 10 exhibit
the trium pns his skill and the funess OF bis science
Allow me thus early assure you-snd do friend
ship truth-that your osn efforts more than on
any other circumstance will depend your future success
No attained lasting eminence IN the medical
profession VINO cid not much 10 his own perseverng
industry 1t matters not how he may be surrounded by
Influences in the conflict Of mind with mind
wealth have but little sway-and the pomp and "a
geabtry Of artificial LIE wane INTO utter ssnhcanee be-
FORE the light genius aud knowledge. Iske courage,
then remember thai you live In An age and IN n
country too, which recognises superior 70 knowiedge,
and estimates mind the richest and most enduring e-
gpcy uh. man can pequeaih you wish for ex-
amplee tell you they are to be found among
the good and wise In divinity IN medicine 10 a~ And IN
gentlemen you are now by law and profession the
dEns Of the healtn lives Of your fellow beings 10
Won has been delegated the privilege administering
the sick and nnrm and on your ability Tor the perform
Of this high duty must depend the safety OF those
committed 10 your Charge Although you bsve received
your diploma, had awarded TO you all tho nonors
which your Alma Mater confer. yet these are nsgnl
cant compared with what you have veto accomplish.
The parchment you hold in your hands "a but coniracs
nrerans you by your acts 10 proclaim to The world
that you have that contract nyioAe that Us
objects have been scrupulously carried out, hs ends
rgdly fulfilled do this your hye- must be con
ssraied 10 your profession: must continue faithful
md an zen, s,ader,s and Ic, earnestly admOuish you
against delusion that With The possession OF the dc
gree, ycu have attained All thai Valuable meicin
10 reach the heights Of the tmpe YOU mu-' labor with
iscreAs ng devotion II Is my duty " inform you, aud
what YOU will have encounter In seesog pro essional
advancement, that your path will not always be one OF
peace and good will will NOT be your good fortune al
ysys 70 be surrounded by generous ana kindred spit
you E occasionally meet N the Geld o. corpotou men
whose entire basis OF acton and Thought sell nerep-
men Who will attempt 70 destroy, by unworthy nsnus.
tons assaults character, those whom they
eanno, equal IN the race for hooor aud dl.tnc-
tect your reputation against THIS ribalary Of the ongue
viii yea have 10 The same exPedeIr wall you
iosers-tor they viii prove 70 be infinitely your supe
rors In OF warfare and profoundly yersed 70
al the arts and Ilcks OF deuecuon Tue sbv1xr-t ne
fence which the make against Tie sisndeer
wi he knowledge ard moral worth.
There no attribute In the character o physician
which should prom .nent than thai OF planihro
py-s pnisuthropy whiea sboud embrace IN one great
circle The whole human family philanthropy which
while II enables him to sympathize with the SICK and
AFFECTED will yromp, Likewise 10 appreciate the ls6ors
Of biz brother practitioner All sures among medical
men except those which emsnaie direstly the
hic, " mind With mind should be discouBtenanced they
worthy OF Lorle scence-teey check improve
neut par.lyye honest effort and detrsct from the dignity
Of ha hanl trrn Art RI me rOr
n-dicsl associations he object o, which may be q
asssns, individual rights, and secure, by zee ttH "
truth apd honor, the pecunisry INTEREST," = .-
vaBoeneni OF rs members. II you nave 81
with this you conjoip Industry and I'm ri
70 rely on your individual exerticnS. awe
no need q such Influences " promote you public fsyoT
This leads 70 the consideration. for . moment, OF
and asidins interest aiude 70 medics coosutsiicns
when you shall have entarsd extensively into practice,
10 "a az course, .. .om. s.,,o- srsssr-r THIS ne
oessiy for consultation may arse from one o. ~,
o,us-s-eoer from loss of ooo6denoe IN your sk1 OF
the extreme nessof your patient In either instance
gill be your duty promptly 70 respond TO the wishes
Of those who have oooaded NO, only in your science
a Il must be borne in memory TIA, The nrst
and cardinal duty The guard with sacred
care Tho LIFE The patient; any
I've 70 divert this great and fundamental object
Of his profession must likewise no, be forgoeo
49, % Which he Is entitled be vii Naturally look % you
for sympathy. and IN the hour u hs anguish he will
deeply appreciate The exhibition o. generous and kind
feeling IN bis regard. II n said tina, familiarity with dis
and suffering, and daily contact with the scenes OF
affection exhibited the chamber Of death, blant the
sensibhte% Of the medical practitioner aud make him in
different 10 the distreeees o. his patient and The oer
.ngueh Of surrounding friends. 1bs charge without
foundation, and reee entirely on popular error But,
gentlemen, allow here 10 guard you sgainst deson
which sometimes results dis.sousy In the sick room
he heart Of the physician must not be perued 70 erer.
else sovereignty mind. You viii occasionally
be placed N circumstances which the heart Cor the Ia
slant mutt close Up fountains Of sympathy there will
be time for you 70 commpge your with those
Of agonzed friends your duty will be 70 arrest the work
of death. II In cases lie be~e that prvmptness, de-
cison and enefRy must take tho place of sympathy.
II n proper, gentlemen, that should ths occasion
advert for inetaDt Va charge which preferred
AGAINST the study % medtipe, winch has originated
In Dost eronndless prejucce vtb regard the tendcn
clea of our acenoe II alleged stnny OF me
d,cipe not orty veaksns and dvturps the IN re-
Hgkus CONVICTIONS, bui thss leads 70 tcnye nndeNy