The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-07-01
Closing Exercises Of the State
Seminary.

+ he pdSt week WltueSscu INC CioSuiS
exercises of the Louisiana State Semi
nary of Learning, located in this Vi
entity. They were unusually interest
ing. The large number of Cadets du-
ring the past year have applied them
selves to their studies with great dill
gence, and the necessary consequence
was such a result of the annual exam
nations as would reflect credit on the
students of any literary institution in
the country. A list of the distinctions
awarded for proficiency will be found
in another column.
On Tuesday, at ii o'clock, occurred
.he annual contest in oratory. The
prize is gold medal. The following
cadets entered the lists as contestants ::
| T. B. EDWARDS, Iberuil!a-THE
PAST, PRESENT AND. FUTURE OF Lou
IsIANA.
| E. A. FULFoRD, Jackson-EnucA-
TON.
| JNO. II. EADY, st. Helena-THE
DESTINY OF THE UNION.
| JOSEPH PIERSON, Jackson--ELo-
oUENcE.
The speeches were original and each
occupied about twenty minutes in its
delivery. It was remarked by all that
the productions were exceedingly cred
liable and would compare favorably
with those of the highest classes in our
best colleges. They were well written,
showing much thought and a wider
range of reading than scommon among
gentlemen as young as they appear to
be. The delivery was excellent and
elected frequent rounds of applause
The committee of the Faculty, who had
the matter in charge, after due deliber-
alton bestowed the prize on cadet T.
B. Edwards, of Iberville parish. The
young gentleman was one of the best
of Southern soldiers, suffered much
from wounds and imprisonment, and
gives promise of much usefulness when
his education shall have been compile
ted.
The fame of the gallant Harry T.
Hays who had been chosen to deliver
the annual address, attracted larger
audience on Wednesday than we re-
member ever to have seen at the Semi
nary on similar occasion. The eXer.
cises opened at IL o'clock by the deliv.
cry on the part of the Superintendent
of the certificates of distinction to those
cadets who had been the most diligent
and successful in their studies. Gen
Hays was then introduced and proceed
, ed to deliver one of the most chaste
, eloquent and appropriate production
!, that we have ever had the good for
q tune to hear. His subject was "Intel
, lectual Culture" and hackneyed thougl
it be, it was handled in such name
as to awaken lively interest, and t
= call forth admiration for many ne,
truths, as well as those which are uni
!. yersally admitted. The diction wa
exceedingly elegant, and nothing coul
5 surpass the gracefulness of its deliver.
q The speaker was frequently interrupt
: ed by vociferous applause. The speed
# we understand, is to be given to IL
public.
After Gen. Hays had concluded D
u S. O. Scruggs, of Natclitoches. was il
~ troduced as the orator on the part
= the Board of Supervisors. The Doct
81 delivered very able and interestir
III address on Southern education. D
70 Scruggs is very forcible and animal,
u speaker, and is always listened to wi
u profound attention. He is too WI
r known to the people of Papidees
~ u. need any eulogy or introduction at o
- hands.
- At night the young gentlemen a
ladies had an opportunity to eni
themselves at the cadet "Hop," viii
,rs has come to be a popular institute
he with the beauty and the chivalry Oft
,s+ neighborhood. The danse did !
n cease until daylight Thursday mornil
IRE Hanging on the walls of the ball-ro'
Of we observed two full-length portra
3,s which attracted no little attention
81 One was that of Gen. G. Mason Graha
the first President of the Board
Trustees, and the other that of Lie
are Gen. VIM. 7. Sherman, the first Sup
nd intendent. They have only rccen
Fps been painted by Col. S. H. Lockett,
as. able and accomplished professor
rs Engineering and Drawing. Every
1e- acquainted with Gen. Graham or G
IN Sherman remarked the life-like {
pcarancc and fidelity to the origin
IN. of the portraits: We do not profess
ble be connoisseur in art, but if the va
er. of picture consists in a likeness to
csc original, then these two portraits m
90 he considered masterpieces of tt
of kind. On the opposite wall were til
md fine paintings illustrating All 81
-, Az Doto,,,oo tnoinhf y hv tho 90