Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-07-05

The Valedietory, by Robt M. Douglas, (5on 81
the Little Giant, } vas just what such aeon,
| position ought to be. Resisting the temptation
| to display, which such ali opportunity natu-
| rally presents to young man, he spoke pislh:
| unyarnishel farewell creditablt alike to his
talents and his common sense, and when III
final farewell TO their Alma Mater, he Ih'ro-
duced the peouliarities of the class, bringing lii
the exploits of the base ball field. and bidding
| the chickens roost in peace sluce Arthur ana
Charlie we're about to quit tho scene OF their
}o,u7 exploits the applause was deatenlog
Wbils he was speaking. the President Of the
United States, accompanied Ey several mem
beers of bis family, entered, and Was received
With all the io1or5. the students aud tue au-
dieoce rising, and the band playing Hail to
the Chief >. When he was seated, the young
orator resumed his remarks, with neat and
appropriate welcCmc to the CHIEF Magistrate
Of the nation.
The Graduation Their followed, the degree OF
A. NJ, IN course being conferred on Edward s.
Reilly, Of Pennsylvania Henry NJ. Brent, CT
New York Francis H. Ward OF Maryland;
Edward McCahiil, Of New York; Noble ),
Hoffar, District of Columbia and JuIiuS g.
per- District Of Columbia
The honorary degree OF A. NJ. was CONFERRED
on James B. Pge, Ct Texas; James T. i'ol-
mile, OF Kausas; John B. Dimitry and Chas.
P. Dimiiry, Of Louisiana Joseph NJ. 1ohar;
Al II * of ('nj,, ti,
The degree Of A B. was conferred on Sam |
Fl Anderson, Maryland: Richard M, Doug
las, illinois; Bladen Forrest. District Of Co.
lunbia; George H. Fox New York Charles
c. Homer Maryland Arthur Lee, Mary lanl
A great number Of medals and elegantly
bound books We're then awarded TO various
students, who had distinguished themselves
during the year, In their respective classes
Virginia. as usual, leading in the honors, AID
receiving II out of 81 medals, her students
numbering only 81 oft OF 290 4
Richard R Mcmahon, son OF Dennis &.
McMahon, a native of Alexandria, and now
residing near the Theological Seminary, took
the medal in the "a Division of the 81 Glass Of
Humanities, aud the premium 10 the lst Class
of Penmauship. besides obtaining other dis
tinctions, and A. Francis johnson, of Tenne5-
see, a son of the President of the United
States, took the premium fur composition in
the ID Glass of Rudiments Stepheo R. Nal
lory of Florida, son Of the Secretary Of the:
Navy in the late Confederate States, took
| medal and several other distinctions Indeed,
it was noticeable that very many Of the snc
cesslul competitors III the Juni0r. and Prepara-
tory Glasses were grown young Elen from the
South, probably exsoldiers, who are now
striving to make up the loss Of their precious
time by diligence IN study.
The distinctions were all handed to the re-
cipieuts by President johnson, and at the con
clusion OF the distribution Rev +. A. Ma
gure, President Of the College, made
beautiful and eloquent, though simple
and earnest address. Pointing to the desolated
fields Of Virginia, (the study hall oyerluoks
Arlington, he pertinenty asked what vas the
value of land and dollars III omparlson with
mental requirements and showed how much
letter IL was lul ~ give pi' Gun q ioi
tune within, Of which disaste, could not rob
him, than to snd0w hinl With riches which, ate
50 perishabe He concluded ty saying 10 bis
boys that the President ct the United States
would nov address them.
This announcement seemed to take President
Johnson more By surprise than Al? Que else,
he having, we think, previously declined
speaking: but he could not avoid Iisi6g and
saying something. aud this be did, at first; iii
an exceedingly embarrassed manner; his back
being to the Audience aud his words snitelY
inaudibie even to those Immediately III front
of the stage. His embarrassment, however,
sooo wore off, aud though entirely naprepared,
he delivered All excellent and appropriate ad-
dress,
Apoloezing for his Deficiencies which ell
knew proceeded from his entire want OF any
early education, he told the boys that had lio
enjoyed their advantages. he would never;
probably, have attained his present position,
He would. most likely, have settled down iGto
schoolmaster, post he thought one OF the
| s,ost honorable in tbs world, aud ole which
hetad often wished himself capable Of filling.
Had ne attained that position, there wers soiue
things h. would have wished to teach.
Ii mlghs seem presanptuous in hiin 70
speak to thew OF logic, sncc he had rc"er
studied Its rules under learned professors, but
be knew one thing. and that was that many
people reasoned according to the rules: AID
reasoned wrong; the Cause was chat they took
wrong premises for grantee without e1alaiua-
ton, and SO reached false conclusions ali
boys knew that if a sum was Improperly stat
ed, 1t could not be made to bring Vie right su-
| swer; SO they must be careful, always, to get
the premises right and a just conclusion would
surely follow.
| Annlher iLinp he Mnnli have tanrht All