The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-08-04
FHE OBERLIN ANNIVERSARIES.
ThITtfeth Anniversary of the Ladies
Literary Society.
oBERL1x, August 2, 1866


EDrToRs LEADER-The anniversary sea-
son, which changes this Ordinarily-quiet
town, lying so placidly in the midst of its
dust and. well. baked plain of clsy-mud,
into q bubbling Babel-like mass of excite
ment and hubbub, is now fairly inaugural
cd and will continue without statement
until it culminstes in Commencement, three
weeks from tomorrow. The signs of the
times are well known to practised eyes, and
viii not escape observation. The senior
class, now well-nigh delivered from its
embarrassments of class rooms, yet appear
to have plenty to do, and are constantly
seen in public places, wearing intensely
business like c~ountensnces. And sopho-
mores, too, catching the infection, are
anxious to appear, at least, overrun with
business. The senior preparatory class,
just entering college, is having many q
mysterious class meeting. Freshmen alone
are jolly, jubilant and full of fun.
Speakers elect are canvassing the universe,
physical and ideal, for "thoughts that
breathe aud words that burn" Musicians
professional and amateur. indulge in
numerous conVOcations. Dry goods shops,
tailors and nilIiners, are in great requisi-
ton, and busy expectation creates a stir
throughout the public generally.
No small part of the public exercises of
the season are the anniversaries of the
literary societies, the first of which came
off this afternoon. The Ladies' Literary
Society is the most venerable of all those
associations, and boasts of an origin almost
coaval with the foundation of the college.
Its thirtieth anniversary was held in the
First Church, which was appropriately
adorned with wresths, bouquets, &C., for
the occasion. The audience was uncom-
monty large and filed the house TO repls-
ton. The following programme was Gre
ditably carried out:
PRAYER.
MUSIC.
Our Common Warfare,
Bsrriett A. Robinson, Lansing, Mich
"Plain Dealer"-August 30, 1895,
Belle III. Lewis Chattanooga, Tenn
Ne lie Hudson, oberlin.
Matte E Koonl. Sulphur spri. gs.
What shall we do under the circumstances,
hhooa M. horthWayJ jefferson.
Josie Field, oborlin.
MUSIC.
Arnold and Lee,
Barbara Grant, Hobart, N. y.
''Lorain Eews"-August 80, 1895,
Fannie N. Jackson, Washington, d.
Vox POpuh vO1 Del non est ,, ~,
MUSIC. r
BENEDIOTI0N.
Miss Robinson's opening essay, perhaps
more than any other, deserves especial
praise. 1t was a::noble theme, clearly and
admirably treated. 1t was brief-slmost
too brief-yet complete, though not exhauS-
tive.
Much amusement was created by the
productions of Misses Lewis and Jackson,
purporting to be copies, dated thirty years
ahead, of the Plain Dealer and LOraiH
County Neas respectively. 1 think your
conservative neighbor would have been
rather astonished at this representative of
its future character. It would scarcely
nave " recognized its own photograph"
It might have been disposed TO shake its
head at the staid, moderate Witticism, and
the little rill of moral precept which ran
through all, and at the startling
ment of C. L. Vallandigham's legacy of
$500, 900 to Oberlin College. Is might have
looked with less disfavor on the list of 1907
900 subscribers of which in its regenerated
condition, it was said to boast. Scarcely less
startling was the LorGin Ne10So of same date;
but here 1 have no time to specify.
The essays of Miss Hudson and Miss
aotica. as being graceful
ly written and presented. Mics NOrtnwzy
unfortunately was detained by illness from
appearing.
Miss Field showed that the formula
which stood for her title, ok .E.y-1," or in
plain English, "Nothing in itself is per-
feet" was of universal application to men
and things. The subject was well treated,
and opened quite an original vein of
thought.
The comparison of the two noted Ameri-
can traitors, Benedict Arnold end Robert
E. Lee, was ably carried out by Miss Grant,
the palliating circumstances in the csse Of
the former brought out in strong contrast
TO the overwhelming guilt of the latter.
Miss Smith closed the exercises with a
ioiubdblOn VI nv sP0OiVuS S0A0kaAlSy SO
popular in this Ountry-shOwing that even
the mass of well meaning people may be
seriously misguided by prejudice or ignO-
rance.
The music on this occasion, furnished un-
der the direction of Mr.. Wright, wal well
selected and performed. A Duet by the
two Misses Haynes was especially sdmira-
bic. AS a whole, this anniversary of the
Society, though not Outwardly SO snowy as
some that have preceded, was fully up to
the average in genuine ability.
Next Wednesday occurs the anniversary
of the other Ladies' Society, of which l
will send you an account in due time.
D. F.
A SIEGULLR AooIDEET.-A very strange