The Portland daily press., 1867-08-02
Commencement nj bates College.

LEWISTON, Aug l, 1867.
To tie Editor Of the Press:
Ihe exercises of the graduating class occur
red to-day, according to the following pro-
9ramme. The first, second and third parts,
according to rank in scholarship, ale designat-
ed by CRATIC, Disquisitio and Thesis respec-
lively:
1. DisQaisitio Sdlp,oto ia, uatina)
1-- Frank Eugene sleeper, Lewiston.
2. Thesis. The Province eff Fiction.
Winfield Scott Stockbrldge. Lewiston,
joel Stevens Parsons, Norway e
4, Dis0ais;i;o Truth and Progress.
John Holmes Rand, Parsonsfeld.
8. DisouisitiO. Men and Ideas.
George Small Kicker RAYMOND,
g. Oyatio Unseen Power.
Harrison French Wood Vienna.
8. Ordtio Td'edictorid. Expediency as a Rule of
Action. Arthur Given Wales
The crowd which came together to greet this
first graduating class, was very large. The
tar Sex, decked in their gayest attire, We're
early ON the ground, with enormous bouquets
each ready to be thrown to its destined gradu-
ate, when he should make his parting bow
The whole class were peltcd, assaulted and
smothered with these floral sold shot. When
these articles are thrown as reward of merit,
they are graceful tribute from fair hands,
but when each speaker is obliged to call in for
eign aid to assist in bearing away his laurels,
the custom becomes ridiculous.
The glass which graduated yesterday estab-
lished precedent, which future classes will
find it difficult to attain; their pieces were all
of a high order of merit, and the speaking was
characterized by distinct articulation like that
of the day before.
Fiction, as an avenue to many minds for the
transmission of noble thoughts was well treat
ed by Stockbridge; the composition of his arti-
Gle was very fine. Work was enforced upon
the minds of his hearers, by Parsons, in pro-
verbal style, yet in an able manner. Kicker
has splendid voice, and discoursed upon the
relation of ideas, to the human race. with
much effect. Though there may be some ques-
ton as to the propriety of Heaths choice as to
subject, yet his treatment of it, and his elo-
quence in enforcing it, we never heard excell-
ed upon the stage of any college. Mr.. Heath,
in January next, takes charge of the Court
street Free Baptist Church at Auburn Mr.
Given's effort was very fine.
AT the close of the exercises, President Che
ney conferred the degree of A. B. upon all the
members of the graduating class in course,
and the following honorary degrees, which
were received with applause:
A. M.-Franklin Simmons.
ID. D.-Rev. Uriah Balkan, of Lewiston and.
heV. Jeremiah Phillips, Balisore, india
At the close of these exercises, the process
sion reformed and marched to the COLLEGE
chapel for commencement dinner, and for that
"tnaSt n %
ways so distinguishes this class of dinners.
After the removal of the cloth, President
Cheney introduced Gov. Chamberlain, "viruna
Mustrissinuns," who, for the State, babe God
speed to the new institution, which has lust
celebrated its beginning under SO fair auspices.
Major General Caldwell was next intro.
duced, who declared that as he had al
ways been victorious on the field, so he had
been here, in his attack upon the dinner.
Rev. DIR. Balkan made stirring appeal for
the young college. Speeches were also made
by Mayor Pillsbury, of Lewiston, Rev. Eben-
ezer Knowlton, of Montville, Rev. j. s. Bur-
CESS, OF Harrisburg, Pa, Rev. DIR. Colder, of
Harrisburg, who gave $4,000 to the college.
Hon. I. A. D. Fessenden, Rev. Mr. Steere. of
Lewiston, Rev. A. G. Adams of Auburn. Rev.
Mr. Matthews, of Auburn, and last by the
ever ready Rev. Mr.. Mariner, of Hayerbill
Mass, who ELECTED roars of laughter by recit
ing poem, after which and the singing of the
Doxolgy, the "fiow of soul" ceased
Last evening Theodore Tilton, of the New
York Independent, delivered splendid ora
ton upon 1.-THE Use of the Mind"-his argu-
ment being that the highest use of The mind
can only be obtained through the employment
OF moral agencies. 1t abounded in those
flashes Of wit, strokes of satire, and passages
OF lmpassioned eloquence, which have given
Mr.. Iilton national reputation b.