Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-07-03
The University Of Virginia.

Ga Monday night, the celebration of tho
Washington Society took place There was
very full house. The Medal for the best de-.
batter was received by the Medast MIR. S. N.
Wynn of Georgia, with short and approprl-
ate speech. Mr.. Harris, President OF the
Washington Society then introduced the ora
tor, Mr.. Samuel Mckinney, OF Tennessee, who
delivered one of the best speeches heard from
any young man at tbs University for long
time, His subject was Social Development. "
Il The address of General Preston delivered at
tho united request of the two Literary Socle-
ties, on Tuesday, was one of the happlest OF
his efforts and received with great applause.
~ South Carolina was well represented on the
occasion for on the platform, besides the ora
tor, there was another one OF her noble sons,
:! whose face is not soon forgotten, the gallant
Wade Hampton His appearance was wei
q corlod by loud and continued cheering;
= At night the Jefferson Society held their
tinaI celebration. The medal was presented to
Mr.. L. A. Duncan, of West Virginia, for be-
ing the best debater. The presentation and
y receipt were followed by the presentationo of the
medal for the best contributor to the "Unlver-
ii sity Magazine" which was conferred upon MIR.
.. VI. - 8
has been particularly fortunate at this session
for besides this compliment to his ability, he
has received the degree of A. NJ, and also the
prizes In the classes OF moral philosophy and
political economy. ~ t.,srs-+e
After which the final Grafton was pronounced
by Mr., w. L, Burdett of Western Virgipia-
the delivery OF which was. creditablc to its
author and the society he represented. After
this celebration as on the previous eyeoing the
houses of the Professors were opened for re-
ccptions. 80 ..,,.
~ Wednesday, was, however the great day in
this series of celebrations, when the Jefferson
Statue was inaugurated. Mr.. B. j. Barbour
n the Rector of the University, made short
speech, eloquent and Inappropriate, during which
the Statue was unveiled. In conclusion he in
troduced to the audience Mr.. Hugh Blair
Grigsby, the orator of the occasion. {.
1t is to be regretted that Mr. Grigsby' $
health was too feeble to allow him to deliver his
address, and he was compelled to read 1t from
his chair, even then ommitting some portions
of it. His voice was so weak that he could
not be heard, except by those Immediately
around him. .o..as.
He gave a sketch of Mr. Jefferson as man,
and Statesman, and especially of his relations
to the University, as its founder, winding up
with history of the Statue just inaugurated
and an eloquent tribute to the culptor, the
lamented Galt, who, snatchod away at the be-
ginning Of his promising career, was thus pre-
vented by the decree Of an inscrutable provi-
dence from being the witness Of this triumph
of his genius.
The Statue is very fine, showing in the
minutest details the hand Of the master, of
the purest white marble, and remarkably per-
feet as o likeness The exercises closed yestcr-
day with delivery Of the diplomas and the ad
dress of Col. Charles Marshall OF Baltimore,
before the Alumni. The close of the session
of 1868, must be long remembered by all
visitors as being noted for the most brilliant
celebration in the history of theUniversity. Fine
speeches. beautiful ladies, and good music, al
most without limit, ought to be enough to
satisfy the most fastidious taste. or