Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-06-18


professors of three different colleges; who
decided who was the successful competitor,
and then returned them, with their iudg-
ment endorsed thereon. Mr.. Canal said
that he was here tonight by invitation
from the able and distinguished professors
of the school. to deliver this prize, and tc,
say few words 10 the friends and patrons
of education. This assemblage, said he
is tribute 10 tie cause of education and
intellectual culture He beheld before him,
oVerarching The platform, sublime Greek
motto, which, being translated, tells us
that -4a
''The wealth of the intellect is the only true
wealth"
This was the idea he proposed 10 present
to them, and, in SO doing, to argue, fret,
"Ihe necessity of an educated intellect" and,
secondly, 1.-THE results and triumphs Of the
same." This he did in a most able, and
eloquent manner. enchsining his audience,
keeping their undivided attention, and fire.
quenuy bringing down the house in loud
and prolonged applause. In concluding,
he said to the Greek class that their class
ical studies had made them familiar with
Olympic contests of the ancient Greeks.
They knew that the simple garland of wild
olive-the emblem of triumph in those ma
tional games, when awarded, was valued as
one of the dearest distinctions of life. To
have his name proclaimed as victor before
assembled Hellas was an object Of ambi:
ton to the noblest Greek. He who tri-
umphed was deemed TO have conferred
everlasting glory and renown upon his
family and friends, and in return was re-
warded with the most distinguished hon.
ors. His statue was erected within the pre-
cincts of Olympia, and his home and Jour
ney was but triumphal procession, 10
which his praises we're sung in the Hottest
strains of poesy. But, if rightly viewed.
this occasion is but the beginning of grand
er honors than ever fell 10 the lot of the
Grecian victor, simply because it re
minds you not of what you hare
done, but of what you con
DO. His was physical success,
yours is an intellectual victory. Although
hOnoTed by all Greece, his olive crown
withered away, and himself was seldom if
ever heard of afterwards in his country's
history; not 80 with those Of you who have
trained your intellect by systematic study,
during the past ten months, for that study
and that discipline if carried out 10 it's
legitimate sequences will yield a palm
whose freshness is perennial and an honor
which will not die with this occasion. but
which will live, when monuments Of
marble and brass have Crumbled to decay.n
After arguing TO the young gentlemen that
no effort at self improvement was ever lost
aud that labor was pre- requisite to success
IN any and every sphere of life, he said to
them in conclusion "The devotee Of
pleasure and fashion need not hope to win
laureis in his struggles with the world !; /
his life must be a failure, his name will |
perish with him. MediOcrity is the cause
Of idleness, but fame and bright ivy GROVES
are the reward Of true and persistent |
effort"
Then resolve to study and labor I'M
ceasingly; then turn your back upon the |
spectres OF the past --of false pride, and of |
Incidence; let your arms be barred for any |
kind Of work, 30 that it be honest and |
honorable; let your hands be ready to
grasp pillow, trOWel or chisel, sword, helm |
or pen; let your meekness rise into strength; |
your thought deepen into reflection; your
reflection into resolution; your resolution
into persistent, living action, until you
stand wrestler upon life's grand OLYMPIC
10 deserve, to claim, to command success"
Mr.. Cahal then announced that il had |
been decided that Master Geo. Gates was
entitled to the prize, as having prepared |
the best Greek composition, to whom the |
prize, beautiful gold medal, was deliver
ed with few appropriate words of COM |
mendation. Mr.. c. then said that the con-
test for this prize had been very close in |
deed, 80 that it was very difficult for the |
committee to decide as to the relative mer-
its of the contestants. Hence they had |
recommended a second prize to be awarded |
to the scholar who stood next best, that /
scholar was Master Frank Stratton, who |
then presented himself and received the
testimonial 30 worthily won by him.
Next Mr.. Hughes introduced Mr.. J. T. |
Brown, who then presented the prize for /
proficiency in mathematics. This Mr.. |
Brown did in a most appropriate manner,
stating that he appeared as proxy for an
other gentleman who was to have addressed |
the audience this evening and perform the
pleasing duty now assigned to him. He
would not, therefore, detsin them long. He
presented in forcible manner, in a few
well timed remarks, the advantages to be
derived from the study of mathematics.
and enforced his views by several pointed
after which he announced |
that Mr.. J. ID. Moore had been adiudged
the most proficient in his class In mathe-
MATES, and Mr.. Moore then received the
medal and the congratulations of Mr..
Brown and words Of encouragement to him
self and his class.
Mr.. A. J. Caldwell was then introduced
and stated that be appeared before the
to award TO Mr. J. W. Hunter the
prize for the best LATIN COMPOSITION.
which prize was then presented TO Mr..
Hunter. Mr.. Caldwell said that the late
meas of the hour preeluded any extended
remarks on his part. He would however
present TO them few remarks relative 10
the Latin language, which these young
gentlemen bad studied so faithfully. This
he did with fine effect and gave words of
which will not soon be forgotten,
Before closing he awarded the second prize
for the best LATIN COMPOSITION TO n. H
Love, between whom and Mr.. J. d. Moore
it had been very difficult TO decide.
The Committee on Oratory then al
nounced that after great difficulty they had
decided to award The prize to Mr.. J. P.
McFerrin. By the way Mr.. McFerrin had
iecIaimei the splendid perorstion Of s. S.
Prentiss in the contested elections, and
came fully up TO the task of its delivery.
Gov. Neil S. Brown then presented the
prize.
Il would be a work of supererogation TO
,ay that the Governor did so Ia his usual
-elicitous style. His theme of address in
presenting The prIze was eloqusnce in its
night and power. The Governor is one
If the foest specimens of an orator, within
he limits of Tenn essee, and in presenting
lis subject proved conclusively to all, the
night and power of eloquence.
After the conclusion Of Gov. Bro Sn's
ddres-, Mr.. Hughes thanked the audi
nee for their attendance and announced
hat the exercises were at AN end. We
annOt forbesr coBgrstulaiing the profess
ors Of the school upon the complete and
ntire success of their CONNIE nCement.
heir school is indeed worthy.of SUCCESS
nd in this appreciative and refined com
Iunity, will, we have no doubt, achieve
be prosperity it 70 well deserves.
Criminal COurt.
Simpson Igod, a negro, tried for larceny,
.as acquitted.
Under the force of true bill found
gainsL him by the grand jury for breach {