Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-08-23
THE ANNIVERSARIES AT OBERIIN.
TWenty-Gnh Anniversary or the Phi
Delta Society.
From our own Correspondent

From our own Correspondent
0BERLIN, August 20, 1854.
Of no feature can Oberlin College be more
Justly proud than Of her College Literary
In too many of our colleges the
vigor and efficiency of these invaluable
auxiliaries to the curriculum are greatly i'm
paired by the influence of the secret So
cieties and innumerable similar institu-
tions. At oberlin, where they have not to
contend with so great impediments, literary
societies have assumed their natural level
and receive their due share of attention.
There are two of these, each of which,
though nearly equal in age, numbers and
popularity, has attracted to. itself distinct
class of students, and hence come to have a
distinct character. The Phi Kappa Pi eul
tivates more especially extemporaneous
discussion and facility in debate. The Phi
Delta gives its attention more to studied
composition and calm reasoning. The one
AS general rule, to which exceptions are
numerOus-turns out the most brilliant
speakers and ready debaters; the other,
the most finished writers and careful
thinkers.
The twenty-ffth anniversary Of the Phi
Delta, which took place this afternoon,
though in no way remarkable when com
pared with former ones, was yet a credit to
the reduced ranks of the association.
Mr.. G. S. Kahn, of the Senior Class, pre-
sided with grace and dignity over the fol-
lowing exercises:
Celebrated Men, J. C. Hamilton, New York City
Difference of Opinion, J. H. Cook, Detroit, Mich
MUSIC
Success, Fred. W Fairfield, Oberlln
Man in Society, wa. soIiow, GOTanda, n. Y
MUSIC.
The Brothers Meeting-POem,
The Army of the Slain,
VIM. Kineaid, Jr, Cincinnati
MUSIC.
BEHRDICTIoN
Mr.. Hamilton, a young member of the
Freshman Glass, delivered creditable and
carefully prepared oration. He was follow.
ed by Mr.. Cokk, of the Senior Glass, whose
speech, though exhibiting with great clear.
ness the trifing antiquities from which
grave differences arise, failed to complete
the subject by mentioning other causes o
disagreement, and the means by which
these evils can be lessened.
Mr.. Fairfield presented an answer to the
question" What constitutes success?' D
Its chief merits were the elegance and
perspicuity of its style and its earnest de-
livery.
Mr.. Morgan, aJuniOr, gave an interesting
account of the great Art Critic, which
showed more thought than many of our
biographical authors do.
Mr.. sellew, who is one of the Sophomore
class, was listened to with marked atten-
tion, and his Grafton deserved it. 1t exhib-
tied the duty of self-eulture, in health,
manners, taste, appearance and general re-
fnement. His position was ably maintain
ed by argument, and the subject deserves
especial consideration from very many.
Mr.. Ponds poem described with great
force and elegance the meeting of Jacob
and Esau, mentioned in Chapter XXXIH
OF Genesis. Though purely descriptive
pi, Noe its vigor of Imagination fixed the at
tent ion of every hearer.
Mr. Kincaid's oration on the fallen heroes
of the :Umy-an excellent production, like
all of Mr.. K's-fnished the literary exer
cises.
The music on the occasion was, without
exception, the best which we have heard
at any of the public exercises thus far. 1t
was furnished by number of ladies and
gentlemen, under the direction of Mr.. G.
". Steele. D. F.