The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-06-15
For the JefTersonian Democrat
Commencement Exercises at Hiram.

EpIroR DEMocRAT.-.I.ast Thursday the
tenth Annual Commencement exercises OF
the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute
took place at Hiram, The early morning
was bright and gave promise Of pleasant
dav. We, in common with between
three and four thousand other persons.
proceeded to the literary feast. About 8
o'clock, the sky began TO frown, the wind
arose, and soon the rsiL, tina: 80 often
disappoints the pleasure seeker, began TO
fall. Indeed, before we got within five
miles Of Hiram, our own good nature felt
somewhat imposed upon /; but, looking
backward and forward, and seeing fifteen
other wagon loads of people sharing the
same fate, we consoled ourselves with the
comforting reflection that we were as well
off as others.
Arrived at Hiram, barns, sheds and
apple trees, and everything else tina,
would afford shelter for horse, were
occupied. After overcoming these slight
inconvenience, we proceeded in search OF
the great tent Of which we had beard, and
which we fondly hoped would afford
shelter from the rain. But here again we
were doomed TO disappointment. The
tent had been put up in the morning. but
the wind had blown it down and made
several serious rents in it. We then pro.
ceeded to the Institution Building, and
found the exercises going on; but it was
impossible to get within several feet OF
The door. After crowding as long and as
hard as our modestv would allow, we gave
up, and wished ourself anywhere else than
lin Hiram
But brighter prospect all at once
broke upon us. Before noon the rain
ceased, and the sun showed its welcom,
face. The students then went TO work il
good earnest to spread the tent for thu
afternoon exercises. After working two
} or three hours, and seeing the tent blown
, ten rods down the hill, where the winC
would not strike il so forcibly. Her
= they succeeded in spreading it, about
I u'rluck. 1t was Immediately filled TO it
utmost capacity. 1t is said 10 hold thre
o thousand persons.
0 Prof. Garfield invited the multitude t
be seated on the ground. which hundred
did, for there were no seats. The after
! noon was wholly occupied by the gentle
men. The oralions were OF a respectabl
, character. Everything about the ten
ii was quiet and orderly. We were we
s pleased with the looks of the town, an
r the appearance Of the students we wis
y we could say as much Of some OF tn
! young men (not gentlemen who cam
r. from other places. We have attended
great many public exercises. and been
II a great many large gatherings, but nevt
o in any place did we see more rowdyisl
o profane and obscene set Of young me
than that which disgraced the public hous
. 5 there. Never did we see ladies so put
I, licly insulted by a drunken rabble 8
y there. We would not be understood =
Ia speaking Of the people Of Hiram I'll
8. rabble was from other towns.
70 How shocking. TO see intelligent youn
o, men, lovers. husbands, brothers and son
r. drinking down damualion as pleasa
= draught, making beasts Of themselve
IN IN and bringing dishonor and misery up'
oa o those they have sworn 10 love and pr
\. % tec! How long. oh. how long. mu
st widows tears water the earth. and Q
,rs phans' signs wait TO Heaven, ere a ju
q f, God and an injured people shall thund
~, their anathema upon the manufacture al
Sn and vending of The accursed poison !?
90 20 And such profanity! Must decent m
,"' and women always submit 10 such q nu
,se ance? 1t seems 10 me that fallen spir
right from the pit would have blushed
of call upon the God OF Heaven 10 mete {
he such dreadful curses upon their associat
en In this land OF Sunday Schools n
OF churches, how long will these growi
us h's evils be tolerated ?
'uo 'I'' But we have wandered from our 81
an. iecl. We can never stop without gr
effort, when we begin to talk or wr
uu- about whiskey we have seen so much
cx. its dreadful work.
rst We did not stay to the evening ex
Ill cises Of the Literary Society, but lei
was was they were good. 1t is a cheering on
jou ;ou that so many literary societies are spriI
ons @ ing up all over the land, II our moral
for Ms a people keeps pace with our educate
'ad our sun is but just risen but, il in
voy haste 10 educate the mind, we forget
lite, more important work of educating
car heart of the people, a cloud of darku
urn urn will soon eclipse our glory, and we sl
M ,h" stand another monument OF fallen gre
, so ness. r. w. A. u
him The New York Times for Lincoln
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