The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-06-15
HAyPpHy SYDNEY, June IA, 1867

SydnCy-- inuiycrsaryOi the 'IhiPs '-speeches
on tho Occasion Bouquets--Ciosins Scene--
Number of students and List OfDistinctions.
HAMPpES SYDNEY, June IA, 1867.
The exercises of Commencement on yester-
day The 18Th. were OF the most interesting
character, and gave high degree OF satsiac,
lion 10 the large number of persons assembled
on the occasion. Tnesday was suspicious, and
everybody seemed in the morning to be Ill the
best possible humor. Commencing early, the
people poured in from all the surrounding
country: Young men and maidens, old men and
children. They came III carriages ana bug
gies in carts and wagons. II is pleasant TO
see so many of the two first named; SpCCta-
Gle quite different from that which We behold
i'm some parts of Virginia. where large meet
ings often are found which afford hardly half
dozen vehicles OF higher grade than u
horse cart, and some which display no other
CurTicle n all.
The exercises took place in the college
church, which was handsomely decorated with
cedar. The house is large, and was nearly
full The audience was orderly and atten-
tive, and evidently appreciated the excellent
speeches OF the occasion, not excepting the
Grafton in Latin, which no doubt had appre-
Ciative hearers among people so well eduCa-
ted as those who We're there assembled The
Attendance of colored citizens was fact wor
thy of notice, and the SHINE was apparent n
the anniversary of the Union Society the night
before They showed q deep interest in the
proceedings. The music was very good. II
was rather lively for a church, but otherwise
more delightful than any of those laundering
bands and artistic performances OF the city.
II proceeded from three old-faShoned inStru-
ments skilfuily played by young gentlemen
of the county.
About IL o'clock President Atkinson called
the assembly o order, and prayer was offered;
and then, with musical interiudes, the follow
ing order OF exercises took place:
/. A Latin salutatory by MIR. Charles II.
Scott, of Fredericksburg, well delivered, and
III the judgment OF those far less rusty than
your reporter, pronounced 10 be a frst-rate
original composition. Mr.. Scott leaves the
college for the theological seminary with
fine reputation for talents and character.
.. An Grafton by Mr.. Robert A. Gibson, of
Petersburg tson of Rev. Mr.. Gibson of the
Language the Vehicle of Thought" Mr..
Gibson acquitted himself we'll. The subject
matter OF his address was fresh and Original
and The delivery such as 10 command the az
tention Of the audience By its graceful ana
effective oratory.
3. An Grafton by Mr.. Edward X. stamps, Oh
Milton, n. c., q gentleman OF nne aau Iesa,
distinct enunciation, and other high quantie,s
us public speaker net h P pi His
subject &. The Triumph of Truth y was lorei'
bly, presented d Ea,,onds of
Brunswick county, Virginia, on the I" Phltoso-
nbv Of History. - which bore the marks Oh IN :
teliectuaI power, and was delivered IN IL. IAN =
guage chaste sand terse' anu sor Mr. Ed.
graceful and attractive mann nf his class.
W.Iadictory by Mr.. Willis b. smith, OF
Powhatan county, Virginia, So9 eng, f Snnnrs
man of seventeen, VINO 'ah TSe ' n~omisite tnste
Vi the sSarness Of his address, delivered in
INV, GO remarkable for its simplicity, charm
na IS audience, and affected many OF them 10
tears. ,.o ,,s M uonrv n IJ.rri
son Of Cumberland son of Rev. Peyton Har-
rison. were called before the stand, and the
president arose 10 deliver the diplomas. The
scene was very interesting one. The marked
ability of the oTatons, with the high charac-
ter of the graduates, and their spirit and de-
portment on the occasion, had evidently pro-
duced profound impression on the audience;
DR. Atkinson briefly but eloquently addressed
them. He alluded 10 their irreproachable
morals and diligence in study, and 10 the fact
that war, from whose scenes IVe OF them had
come back 10 this institution, had not render
ed them reckless and dissolute, but that they
returned with deeper sen timent OF devotion
TO duty; and though defeated in the cause for
which they had fought with n high and hopeful
purpose, STILL i'll the circumstances by winch
they find themselves surrounded, 10 employ
their talents as best they might Tor the good
of their country. DR.. Atkinson congratulated
them upon the good results which would ac-
crue TO the college from their example, and
with much feeling, which touched the hearts
of the audience, commended them TO the bless
ing of God
The diplomas We're delivered TO the four as
mentioned on yesterday, upon whom the de-
gree of Bachelor Of Arts had been conferred
the other two, Messrs Gibson and Scott, hav-
ing only failed of their diplomas by the fact
that circums tances had led them 10 omit one
of the studies necessary. Mr.. Gibson goes to
the theological school Of the Episcopal
Church and probably others of the class be.
sides these two will enter the ministry.
Besides the degrees mentioned yesterday,
the President announced that the Board OF
trustees had conferred the title of Doctor OF
DIVINITY upon Rev. X. I. Bunting, pastor OF
ane FIRST Presbyterian church, Nashville,
Tenn, and upon Rev. James w. Dale, author
OF Classic Baptism, y of Media, Pa.
me heAl ana last public exercise OF Com
mencement took place in the evening. II was
lhe anniversary OF the Philanthropic Society,
and seemed TO be attended by as large an an
uiencc as was present In the mornjnp-the
brilliant moon and delightfuI weather which
nave blessed the occasion making IL quite
agreeable 70 travel at night as We'll as by day
Most OF those who came in the morninc
seemed 70 remain till night. The bosni,ahie
boards OF the President and the professors Of
the two constitutions and the few other families
residing here were crowded with welcome
guests for the day, IN addition To their mors
prominent visitors and the social feast was
general and Astounding. In the grove around
me church the happy freedmen displayed on
various tables abundant varieties of good
things Tor those who did not partake OF pri-
Yate hospitality, and exhibited q readiness TO
serve the puDlic, and seemed 10 do il CON dglOye
illuminating their tables as might approached
with large kerosene lamps and candles, which
ri Gu ~ dls lance ike enormous fireiiies.
these people, by the way, hereabouts, are re-
markably polite and well behaved
Inc fhiinnthropc Society has, like the
htop' me nail and an excellent library
, mn,vn c2htains 800 volumes. Its motto dis.
kyeu iaSt night over the stand, is Aude
'hps's'' IL IL the practice of th csc societies