The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-07-02
The correspondents Of the Dispatch have
thi, morning raided through the entire
paper, editorial columns and all but they
will be read with interest.
Schools and Colleges.

Schools and Colleges.
Correspondence Of tho Richmond Dispatch
CELEBRATION OF TIE WASHINGTON AMP
GRAHAM SOCIETIES OF WASHINGTON COL
LEGE. ,.
LEXINGTON, Va, June p, iso''
Tonight was set apart for the ann"a,
celebration Of the Washington anu
"Graham " Societies of Washington Col |
lege, and YOUR correspondent fonno hIli'
self at an early hour seated in the a.se
and beautiful house Of worship OF tne
PRESBYTERIAN Church. 1t was raining III !
torrents. but tho lads were to DC 'ieic, |
and of course the lassics did not mi'a the
weather. Bv half-past O'Clock all OF the
seats not reserved for the Societies ana
their invited guests were filled with a
brilliant audience, and your correspondent
was interested in studying it.. On one
side sat,hc Faculty and Board Of Trustees
Of the Collcge-scattercd through the
crowd were not few men of mark
while in an obscure seat, into which he
had gone despite the efforts of the usher
10 induce him TO ego up higher, might he
seen the nations idol-R. +. Lee.
But there was little time for the train
of thought which the occasion was so we'll
calculated to inspire, for soon the sweet
strains Of the "Stoncwal " Band an
nounccd the approach of the procession of
the Societies, who filed into their appropri-
ate places, while the orators were con-
Quoted To- the stand.
After prayer by Rev. DR.. Duncan, of
Richmond, the orator OF the Washington
Society, Mr.. John p. Strider, of Jefferson
county was introduced
His subject was Literature" and tllougl,
4 rather wide field for the time allotted to
its discussion, he handled his subject In
manner that seemed to give great satisiac-
ton to the members of his Society. The
conclusion of his speech was greeted with
hearty applause, and beautiful bouquet
sent by fair hands, rewarded him.
After music by the band, Captain u. Is.
Stricken, Of Lynchburg, was introduced a
the orator of the Graham Society. Cap
tain Strickler was q student at the college
when the war broke out, went INTO service
as corporal, and was afterwards made cap
tain Of the college company.
He begun his address with touching
contrast between the circumstances OF the
present occasion and those OF the last an
nivcrsary of the Society-l9th of Fcbru-
ary. ls6l-and drew vivid picture Of the
loss sustained by the Society in the de-
struction of their splendid hall and library
bv the vandals of Hunter but above ali,
in the fall of so many Of their noblest COM
rades in the bloody strife. But while we
have lost much, much still remains.
Courage brother; spend not the time in
vain regrets for the past, but buckle on
your armor and contend with manly forti-
tude for what remains" This brought
him naturally and gracefully to his subject:
"Ihe duties IF the young men 81 Tie S0HM
IN the present crisis" He spoke Of what
we have lost in the terrible conflict as some
measure of what VIC are now called on tc
do. Our material wealth has been dissi-
pated, and we must rebuild our fallen fol-
tunes. Our most intelligent young men,
our noblest and best have fallen; for while
all did we'll, they were the most prompt to
volunteer, and ever first in the charge,
and last in the retreat, We must, As best
we can, take their places.
We must relay and rcestabli>h the toun-
dation of our political cdiicc, for on that
our prosperity shall depend; and as the
people of the south arc now ruled out, VIC
must look to the prudence, wisdom, and
firmness of our young men ioput us where
we ought to stand. We must develop our
mineral and manufacturing resources. We
must enter the field OF letters and displace
the miserable trash that comes to Us from
the north under the name of, literature.
We must not seek TO Shun our duties by
repatriation. Daring the war the able
bodied young man who deserted Rls colorS
OF skunk from his duty was justly branded
with disgrace. Is it any less dcscrtion
now, when the south SO sadly needs her
young men, for them 10 seek in other lands
q release from the duties of the hour?
And how can We leave these scenes OF
childhood, now rendered " halloWcd
ground" bv the noble deeds Of the bloody
drama, and containing the graves of the
chiyalric dead How can VIZ desert the
comrades, tried and true, by whose side
we have marched, and suffered, aud fought
50 long. How can we leave them to build
up the waste places OF our loved land
while we seek abroad our own comfort.
Let Us enter upon our work with some
thing of the same spirit with which We
battled for the lost cause and all will
yet bc we'll. We will yet ride the storm
and anchor in Il safe harbor.
And all this must be done by peaceful
means. We have been defeated in con-
test of brute force, and now We must seek
10 RdlI ulplc idStllS tliuuupHN III tiS hSit'
of peace. The speaker closed with a beau
tiful apostrophc to peace, and an eloquent
appeal to his fellow students. His voice I
was good, and his delivery easy and grace
full. His address was decidedly above the !
usual run Of college efforts, aud l predict /.
for him success in the pulpit, for which
learn he is preparing.
And now there was 4 sad disappointment. /
Arrangements had been made to illuminate
the college campus, md have music and
promenading but tn: rain prevented this
part of the programme, and he young
gentlemen were compelled 70 defer until
some other occasion the soft speeches they
had prepared for the fair ones at their
sides.
The commencement exercises proper
come off Tomorrow, and will send you
an account Of them. LEXINGTON.
Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispatch.
WASHINGTON CoLLEGE-sKETCH OF ITS HIS
ToRY--ooMNESCEMENT EXERCISES, &C.
LEXINGTON, June rs, 1866.
Before entering upon description Of the
commencement exercises brief sketch of