Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-08-25

HEEEDIcTIoE.
Mr., Hurlbut, the frat speaker, occupied a
difficult position. The first speaker on an
occasion of this kind has always to excite
their interest,-to get them into habit of
attention. That done the lot of these that
follow is comparatively easy. Mr.. Hurlbut
was equal to his task. His matter was good
and was delivered in 3 manner at once earn
est Ond graceful as to excite and enchain at
tention.
Mr.. LincOln's oration consisted of a review
of our present struggle and a clear and
foroibIe statement of the relation of the slave
to its phases and ultimate issue. The great
truth that the only seal of Union is the death
of slavery, was fully recognized and ably
presented by the speaker.
Mr.. Wilson, taking cheerful view of life
and history, gave us view of the astOuud-
ing strides in all branches of science, which
the world has of late been taking, and added
sunny prophecy of the change and i'm
provement still hidden in the future. Mr..
Wilson displayed extensive reading and care
fuI thought in his grafton. It was sound,
sensible and solid.
We we're disappointed in Mr.. Kain. That
is, we had supposed him an excellent speak
er,-but found all expectation surpassed in
the really remarkable Grafton presented by
him. It was an exposition of the defects in
our present system of franchise, aad an earn
est advocacy of Hars's proposed system of
representation, by which, it was claimed, the
defects Of the old system would be obviated
and due force given to the voice of the min
Ority. without attempting to pass judg-
ment on the speakers theory. we give our ad
miratiOn and applause to the pertinence of
his arguments, the clearness Of their arrange
ment and the elegant manner in which they
we're delivered.
Mr. Mayhews Grafton was brief, we'll writ
ten and well delivered, We look for much
from one who thus early in his course gives
such promise.
When Fred. Aliens name was announced
we all expected good thing. Nor we're we
bit Disappointed We were treated to a
Witty, graphic and truthful description of
our popular poetTy-divided by our critic in
to the sublimely patriotic, the pathetically
sentimental and the tenderly amatOry. The
effort abounded in brilliant hits and in truths
none the less striking for being put in hu-
mOrOus way. The comparison suggested by
his title was ingeniousIy and pleasantly
carried out. Mr.. Allen deserved and obtained
the complete and unbroken attention of the
audience. He succeeded too in a very rare
thing-in being truly witty and not merely
funny. Wit has in it an element Of truth, of
taste and of manhood, which many things,
aspiring to be witty fail of.
Mr.. Kingsbury attacked and disposed of
the three classes of " croaker" against the
Government, viz Rebels, Copperheads and
those honestly diseontented. His oration was
able, honest and earnest.
Mr.. HOyPs effort was glorious and glowing
description of the good time coming
an effort which fairly did Justice to
the authors high reputation as a speaker.
We were glad to notice that the delivery of
the Grafton was a great improvement upon
that of Mr.. HOyt's former public efforts and
added to rather than detracted from its prop
er force.
Mr.. Mercy presided with dignity and grace
over the exercises of which the speakers and
the Society have a right to be proud.
The music for the occasion was of the best
order. Mr.. Maltbie's bass was excellent !;
Mr.. Rice, whose reputation is high, fairly
surpassed it; Miss Marshall was never in
better voice, and Miss Gates gave as good
proof that the best singing has not deteriO-
rated since she last appeared before an Ober-
lin audience.
But the closing Phi Delta song sung by the
Phi Delta bOys-the solo by Mr.. H. L. Tur-
ner-was the musical gem of the occasion.
How the blood thrilled through me, and the
flush deepsnsd on my cheek as, mindful of
the old times and the old scenes, listened
to that swelling chorus
Oh, our voices all shall sing it,
And the summer breeze shall bring it,
M fha aa11aUa hall hofI vim