Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-07-21

realities of life and the minds Of the people, ana
a conscientious and successful discharge Of pro-
fessional duties, will soon reveal to oil, (exoept
's.cinRated and superficial minds) that it is not
bigh-soundiug words, rounded periods, and su-
perabundant figures and tropes, but thought, ar
guent and clearness Of style, that give excellence
and power to written production or speech
But to return from this depression.
The Annual Grafton was delivered by Hon.
WIN. EATON, of Warrenton, N. C. In plain,
common.sense, judicious manner, he discussed
"TheDangers that seem to beset our Government. "
1t would be well if the people could hear or read
oil that was said upon the corruptons Of Congress,
the deceptive character of our popular harangues
in our political canvassings prosttuted literature,
imperfection of education, and other elements OF
weakness, which Mr.. E. regarded as sources OF
danger to our country. There was an earnestness
in the manner of the speaker which almost made
one forget the absence of eloquence and oratory.
Whilst the speech showed much familiarity with
the subject, and much political sagacity and re.
search, yet we think it practically lacked an es-
sential element, viz: appropriateness to the oe-
casion. This was a Literary festival, and hence
the address should have been more Literary and
less Political! This is the great error practiced
in this and other Colleges, and Is attributable
either to the fact that men Of competent Literary
taste and requirements are not elected to dis
charge the duty, or the Orators selected, misap-
prehend the object before them. We do not in
tend to imply that the speech under notice was
more than ordinarily defective in the respect in
dicated, but simply make the observation to be
applied in general.
The Anniversary Address before the Eumenean
Society was delivered in the afternoon by Rev.
A. A. JAMES, of Union District. We need not
stop to inform your readers, Mr.. Editor, with
what credit to himself and acceptabity to others,
he would meet the occasion. The man who can
preach such Sermons and make such Temperance
Addresses as Mr.. JAMES does could not fail to
make a superior and well-timed speech before
such an audience as he addressed.
On Thursday morning (14th instantly after a
private meeting Of the Association of the Alum
nj of Davidson College," the Address was deliv.
cred by J. CHANCELLOR CHAMBERS, ESQ.,, Of
Causes of Civilization, and some of the duties Of
the scholar touching it." For forty minutes. the
crowded assemblage hung with wrapt attention
upon the lips of the speaker, as he developed
historically, argumentatuely and practically, the
very appropriate subject. We having known Mr..
C. in College days, and having high expectations
as to his performance, do candidly say, We were
more than gratifed with the speech. To show
the appreciation of the effort on the part Of the
Alumni, we need only add that it was unanimous
ly "Resolved that the thanks Of the Association be
returned to Mr. c., and copy of the speech be
requested for publication" As it is to be given
to the public We need say no more, for it is in any
event, presumptuous in as to attempt q eulogy Of
either the talents taste or requirements Of the man
who can make such speech as did ]. G. c.
P. B. McLAuR1N, Esq, of Bennettsvile, is the
Orator elect for next year.
The Graduating Glass, only seven of whom
spoke on Thursday, gave many proofs Of scholarly
proficiency and preparation for the more active
duties of life. The speeches were composed with
degree of clcarness, united with soidity Of
sentiment not often found in College performan-
ces; and their delivery was just as remarkable as
their compositions. There were some true ora
tors among them.
The entire class of thirteen are members of the
Church, and more than half have already decided
to consecrate themselves to the ministry Of the
Gospel What College should not be proud Of
such fruits; and what parents should hesitate to
send their sons to such an Institution as this,
which so educates the minds, hearts and morals Of
her students r..
The prospects for the next session are encour-
aging. More than dozen applications were
made for admission into College during the Com
meneement; only two of whom failed in exami-
nation. As the most of the applicants are ad-
mitted at the beginning of the Collegiate year, it
is inferred that there may be an unusually large
accession to tue number of students next Fall.
Our apology, Mr.. Editor, for extending this
sketch $50 full of marks of huste is contained in
the proposition that Davidson College has claims
on your columns, because, besides eleuen natives
of York District, who have been Graduated at this
Institution, and have gone to distant fields of la
Dor land some to eternity) there are now living
and laboring, in their respective callings, in York
District, thirteen of the Alumni of Davidson COL
lege. The efficiency of their work, value of their
labors, and Importance of their citizenship, ismore
easily and properly determined by you, than
AN ALUMNUS.
York District, s. c., July 18th, 1859.