Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-06-27

Comforting Degrees vaIc-
s dictSry Address.

~ uhcsSEy
Special Correspondence of the LrpeER.l
| y OXFORD. June Is. 1888.
The commencement exercises OF thu
| University of Mississippi began on Sun
day, the 2lst inst, with a sermon By
Rev. Dr. s. H. Ford. soi Memphis, aps
\ concluded this evening with a grand ball
which was largely attended BY the friend'
Of the college residing in Oxford, and
many living at distance. This is the
sixteenth anniversary OF this cherished
literary festival, whiehis always sure to
attract q large and brilliant audience
DR.. Ford, an eminent scholar, discoursed
| from the XVIII chapter Of Revelation,
18th verse, to-wit: "And their works
follow them" The following day was
devoted to the Sophomore prize declama;
ton, two gold medals having been insti-
tuted by the Faculty or Board Of Trustees
to be awarded to thedeclaimers evincina
the greatest exeellene in oraiorys Eigh-
teen young gentlemen entered the arena
and contested in: trne gladiatsrial style
for the prizes, sll ofthem displaying fine
oratorical powers, and being compli--
mented in turn with smiles and bouquets
Of rare beauty by the audience. The
COMMITTEES to whom was assigned the
difficult task of deciding upon the merits
of the young gentlemen, after much
deliberation, awarded the first prize to
Mr.. Hampton NJ. Sullivan, of Pamela
county, Miss, And the second prize to
Mr.. James Campbell Norwood MCNEIL,
Of Carroll county, Miss. The former re-
cited the Roman Soldier-Last Days
of Il circular eum and the latter Crimi-
nality of Dueling." All of the de-
Chalmers acquitted themselves most
creditably, but the above named gem
tlemea appeared TO the committee
as most deserving, aud consequently
received the prizes. 30 rss 3
Tuesday, the 231 inst, was assigned
to twelve members Of the junior class,
selected jointly by the class and the fac.
ulty, who delivered original speeches on
yeryinterssting subjects-eyiueing SPLEEN
did talents, and mental discipline alike
creditable to themselves and preceptors.
a" Battlefelds not The burial places Of
Right" BY Mr.. John W. Shields, Of
Louisiana; THE World is Beautiful,
by Mr.. VIM. S. Johnson, a very talented
young man from Memphis, and ''Infexi.
bility ofPurpose,p by Wiley P. Harris, Of
Jackson, Mississippi, we're very brilliant
orations, and we're particularly eulo-
eised for their eloquence and literary
merit % s'SsEc8s-s % n- atl ap7
eFhe next day Mr. Henry Craft. of
Memphis, delivered a most learned ora
ton before the Phi Sigma aud Hermeap
Societies, which was teplete with sound
knowledge and a true philosophy, and
Doubtless made a fine impression upon
his auditors. Judge VIM. Yerger also
delivered very elaborate and finished
address 10 the law students in the after
noon Of the same day, which was received
with the consideration il merited.
Thursday. the 25th inst. inaugurated
the brilliant ceremonies Of commence
ment proper, which we're of an Intensely
Interesting character throughout the day,
and were Witnessed by large and sppre,
ciafiye assemblage. The salutatory, in
Latin, was delivered by Joseph Albert
Brown, OF Kinds county, Miss, who bore
off the second honor in his class, and
abilities Of q high order. Mr..
Brown is son OF that bright intellect of
the South, Hon. Albert G, Brown. of
and is a worthy son Of a
noble sire. He also. delivered an Grafton
on Character, which was one of the
finest Productions of the graduating
class, aud delivered with an eloculionary
and grace and dignity Of
bearing which was the admiration of the
entire audience. Mr.. Wm. Ohio Dodd,
Of Kosciusko. Miss, spoke when the
A es call Heroes Come" in true orators
style, and impressed all who heard him
with sense OF superior talents, mind
given to extensive research, and IA
mifigrity with history creditable ia the
highest degree. !" Something Beyond
was production Of rare merit, and was
delivered by Mr.. ID. X. Nc
T arIand, Of Lsfsyette county, Miss, who
was the third honor man in the gradual
ing class. This class numbered thirteen
Young men, all Of whom Delivered
speeches which possessed literary merit
Of A high. order and abounded in
we'll conceived illu s,rations and Apostle
allusions. in pointed satire and amusing
HIS. in eloooent thoughts and delicate
Imagery - rs fssif tfa .Lia
IAN Al. (k.n.olio.f J.l;v.-ad