Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-05-27

OBERLIN COLLEGE, o., May 24th.
DEAR LEADER: One distinctive and very
valuable feature Of this College, is, manifest
Iy, its thoroughly organized and well sus-
tanned Literary Societies In too many Col
.leges secret orgspizatiOs.s have exhausted the
vitality which should give vigor to Literary
Assooiations,a and the latter, getting the small
est fraction Of a divided interest, exhibit a
healthy life only when there may-hap be the
unusual stimulus of a Public Exhibition, or
the like. Says writer in the University
Quarterly, speaking Of Oberlin College sociO-
ties: " It is no idle boast, bat demonstra-
bic fact, that the discipline and culture Sc
cured in the Literary Societies, have far sur
passed those 70 be attained by any, even the
most diligent use Of similar facilities offered
in the prescribed course Of study"
The annual Union Exhibition Of the two
College Societies, the Phi Kappa Pi and the
Phi Delta, came Of this afternoon iu the Big
Church. The performances were among the
finest Of the kind I ever heard-just what
might be expected from those drilled in soci-
sties where "publie opinion makes it dis
graceful to neglect regular appointment"
J. B. Hinman, Of the Phi Kappa Pi, presided
with dignity which did credit to the Society
that elected him. The order of Literary Rx-
ercises was as follows
Phi Kappa Pi Orati0n-'' The Lesson Of the
East" D. J. Snider, Mount Gilead.
Phi Delta Poem A Catastrophieal Ad-
monition." F. D. Allen, Oberlin.
Discussion Our National Government
should enforce some law for the return Of
| slaves escaping from loyal Masters"
Affirmative Phi Kappa Pi-W. Nj. Ampt,
Germantown; J. NJ. Atwater, Hiram.
Negative Phi Delta--W n. Hudson,
Oberlin G. NJ. Pinney, Hartsgrove.
! Phi Kappa Pi Poem" The Vail of Histo-
/ ~ o. P. Broekway, Hyman's Battery,
I o. VA.
Phi Delta Oration-f' Man and Manners. q"
]. B. 7. Marsh, daylord's Bridge, Conn.
The length and pretentions Of this norice
prevent my snalyziRg these performances, OF
eritioiEing them in detail; mine is the pleas
anter duty to iot down word expressing il
part my own feelings after listening to them
Mr.. snider's Grafton was largely historical
he cited facts to show that from Egypt anC
Asia the more modern nations have derived
aknowledge Of sculpture, letters and, second
arily, painting. To invent. .these did not Re
quire small energy, as We might suppos
from their now being common and easily IN
derstoOd. In the language Of Hamilton
g The original discovery of 8 truth evolves
perhaps, maximum Of the highest qualit,
Of energy, the subsequent learning of tina
truth eHeits probably but minimum of th
very lowest" The speakers points wer
well made, and he sustained the reputation
he has for accurate historical research an
scholarship.
Did you ever hear of Fred. Alien? 70
may some day. Heis the fellow who skstche
E recitation room scenes, and makes the mark
! ed charaeteristies Of professors and pupil
! notorious. He had a witty poem of tn
SAKE sort, uinues the excessive pun, brimfr
of fun like himself. He told us the story
! Angelica Jones, whose
( 'elIisfortunes Of fault, whichever it be.
Was IN fOndness Of excessive hyperbole..
Miss Jones died from want of adequat
audible expressions for her sensations viii
: viewing Niagara Falls:
= "a shiver a gasp, and few shcrt moans,
a And that was the last Of ANGELES Jones"
e All Fred, if your measure had all been
good as yOur last, and yOu had spoken lit
!. louder-but you'll do.
/ The discussion was able-without Al
&c aummery. I have heard plenty Of efforts
n agpirants in public life, weaker than any Ol
g Of these. I will not pretend TO say Viii
1t side made the best ease. Il is enough tn
3; both societies are satisasn with their rsPr