The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1868-06-13
COMMENCEMENT AT CHAPEL HILL.
CHAPEL HILL. N. c.. June 9th, 1856

COMMENCEMENT AT CHAPEL HILL.
CHAPEL HILL, N c., June 9Th, 1868.
MEssRs. EDITORS You will please pei
init space in your columns for the publica
ton of the following, the contents of which
being the supposed farewell adeu of the flu
ture existence of the University of the Oh
North State" Honorary, pecuniary ano
Southern slave aristocratic tears were NJ
doubt shed on the occasion, but on the &C
count of their invisibleness you will find NJ
mention made of them in this report.
The annual Commencement of the Univer
sity opened on Monday the LIST inst, the day
of the close of the last examination for til,
collegiate year.
Declarations were delivered by the com
petitors of the Freshman class on Tues
day night, and among the disclaimers
Messrs. Britton, Gibson and Patterson were
the most distinguished. On "Wednesday
night declamations were delivered by the
Messrs. Buchanan, French and Yelowly &C.
quilted themselves most satisfactorily. Hon
Thomas H. Seymour, of Connecticut, on the
morning of the same day, delivered the an
nual address before the two Literary Socie.
ties OF the University. The subject of his
discourse being the various forms of govern
ments, their history and philosophy. From
the eminent positions he has filled both at
home and abroad, we are led to believe
that the matter of his discourse was good
but we can by no means recommend his style
OF oratory to the young gentlemen whom he
addressed, and some of whom were proba-
bly, supposed to be the future orators of the
country. .r..
On the evening of the same day, Rev. r.
Moran pronounced the sermon before the
graduating class. Discussing, as he did, the
startling truths of modern science his SER
mon was hardly one after the old buccalau-
reate style; but his effort, we hope, will be
productive of much good. His text is found
in Eph. list chap. 10th YER" That in the
dispensation of the fullness of times he
might gather together in one all things in
Christ, both which are in Heaven, and which
are in earth save In himself" It must have
been gratifying to the reverend gentleman to
have had the opportunity of giving vent to
his metaphysical, geological and general
scientific ideas, probably for the first time
before such large and appreciatiYe audience
MIR. Moran is ahead of the age, and, we
think, he should give some of his ideas in
print to the world.
Oratons annually delivered by the mite"
men of the Senior class We're attentiveIy lis
tened to by large audience on Thursday
morning and evening.
Morning services were opened 10y hymn
melodiously played by the Salem Brass
Band which was present on the occasion,
and prayer by Rev. F. NJ. Hubbard. VIM.
H. S. Burgwyn, first mite" man of his
class, delivered the Latin Salutatory.
Evening services were opened with the
Dutch speech by Mr.. Jas. w. Harper. His
subject being Die macht der musik," which
President Swain being no German scholar, in
his announcement of the gentleman, rem
dered
emusic has charms to soothe the savage"
Mr.. Harper acquitted himself respectfully as
regards his manner of speaking. AS for the
contents of his discourse. they may be good,
as none, we suppose, understood him, with
out it was the Salem Brass Band and the
GOUernOr.
VIM. S. Pearson, of Morganton, N. G.
lcIoseu Cle etyvrs,xrut,
Grafton on the " Constitution and the Union"
His mode of speaking was vehement and
manly, enthusiastic and impressive. He
spoke not as a graduate endeavoring to ex-
hibit marks of oratory Out nevertheless he
was wanting IN none OF these,) but as one
who deeply felt all he said. His Grafton by
far exceled all delivered. 1t contained char
acteristics of the illusions of gigantic
u.
been weighed in the political scale of justice
in a once united and happy republic, and
has been found wanting, to meet the appro
baton of the billiousness of his Conscrva-
tive audience, many of whom had acted
a conspicuous part in the government for
MANY years. The Grafton reflects much
credit upon the young gentleman, and was
we'll worthy of the deceptire attention given
it. Few such speeches are delivered more
appropriate to the present crisis, though it
is one delivered by young graduate, yet
nevertheless it should not be laid away in
silence.
At the close of Mr. Parsons Grafton, de-
grees were conferred upon the members of
the Senior class, as follows: Busbee, Bur
gwyn and Morehead received first distinc
ton. A. w. Graham, Harper and Pearson
second Charles Fetter. Horner, Jones, of
Ala, Paul B. Means and Strayhorn third
Of the Junior class, John M. Webb and Por-
ter received first distinction. Graves, But
Ter and Lewis, of the Sophomore class re-
ceived first distinction. Britton first distinc
ton of the Freshman class.
The Valedictory was delivered by MIR.
Fabius H. Busbee, of Raleigh, who deserves
much credit in having received the choicest
distinction of his class.
The services of the day were closed by sing
ing and the benediction.
The Commencement ball began at seven
o'clock at night, CThursday) and closed
about three O'Clock next morning. The ball
room was magnifcently decorated with ev-
ergreeus, in such manner, surprisingly,
from the general appearance Of the managers.
Fears are entertained that this is to be the
last Commencement of the University. 1
deeply regret, Mr.. Editor, that such fears
should be entertained. 1 myself look for
ward to brighter and happier days when
these walks shall be again crowded with
young and gladstone forms, and when this
institution shall again send forth her old
number Of Alumni to do honor to themselves,
their Alma Mater, the State of North Caro-
lima, and our common country. God grant
that such hopes will be soon realized.
PROGRESS.