The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-02-26
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.
Annual Contest Between the two Literary So
cielies OF Roanoke College.

Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.
Annual Contest Between the two Literary So-
cielies OF Roanoke College.
The Twenty-second of February was
celebrated last night in Salem, Va, by
the tenth annual contest between the De-
mosthenean and Ciceronean Societies OF
Roanoke College. A very large audience
of citizens and visitors assembled in the
Lutheran church at halfpast O'Clock r.
NJ, when the exercises commenced.
The first performance was an essay, from
Mr.. W. P. Reese, of Franklin county, Va,
the representative of the Demosthenean
Society, on the Beauty of Holiness
He was followed by Mr.. l.. NJ. Nelson, OF
the Ciceronean Society, with an essay on
the Safeguards-of Republicanisn."
Both Of these essays were well written.
and did credit to the mental and moral
culture of the young men.
Mr. E. F. billiard, of Farmville, Va.
was the orator from the ~Demosthenear
SocieX,.. His subject was Literature ats
origin,spsogress, and effects upon society !"
which hs' handled with remarkable skill
His daiinesyiwas good, voice very fine, and,
on ttnss%tSas gives great promise as
MrEtAg Net auley, of Roanoke county
the rsHsesshtSjige, of the Ciceronean Soci-
: asifl followed in q very good Grafton
tbS sv<1 F;unph Of mind ouer matter"
,rb;cb was we'll delivered and well received
by his Society and by the audience gene.
rally.ya,,g. a.,
,vo societies was, " DO the fine arts co,,duc,
10 the moral eleUation of humanity?" The
- Il tod
with great earnestness and force by Mr..
NICK. II. Wells, of Fauquier county, the
representative of the Demosthenean Soci
ETY., aud the negative with equal ability and
skill by Mr.. A. +. Graybill,e of Botetonr'
county, the representative of the Cicero
mean Society. = ,5,.,.-.. '.,.,' VI
The debaters showed that they had
studied the subject thoroughly, and ad
duced strong arguments in favor of theil
respective sides of the question. You,
correspondent will not attempt to decide
as to the relative merit Of the different
performances. The young gentlemen al
acquitted themselves well, and reflected
honor upon their societies and upon the
institution which gave them training.
The large audience dispersed about 10
P. NJ, highly pleased with the evenings
entertainment, and all proud that our
county contains an institution Of SO much
solid merit. < Ussp
The number of students in attendance
upon the college exercises Is about l50-
mostly from Virginia-and q fine set of
boys and young meL they are-intelligent,
studious, moral.
The committee Of the Legislature showed
excellent judgment-y0ur opinion to the
contrary, Mr.. Editor-when they recon-
mended Roanoke College as the recipient
OF the agricultural fund. There are many
reascusto back this judgment, which will
not now thrust upon you. The college Is
young, vigorous, prosperous, and situated
In the very heart Of the best agricultural
region 10 the State. These are strong con.
siderations. As to the objection that Il
will be TOP near the bastard State NJ West
VirGinia, let me remind you that Il ;saNv
miles from Salem to the nearest no;ns =,
the new State line, and that very MANI
high mountain ranges intervene. s..
that. there 10 no sort Of danger either ri
thea LOT contaInination. II is TO be boneJ
that Legislature win sane ton the ina
menkO(slta committee. -'ss'
:fofEct 70 say that the Salem c.r,..
Band dlsoonrsed sweet music thron sho,,,
the exercises, and added no littls - sha
1 enjoyment Of the occasion. RrT. -. ="