Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-07-02
Davidson College Commencement,

DAVIDSON COLLEGE, June oath, 1869.
Dsor Journal: Below we give you an ac
count of the Commencement exercises oil
Davidson, which have closed to-day. This
account is meagre in some respects, be-
cause we have desired to speak at some
length of those exercises We conceive to
have been most interesting.
The missionary sermon was preached by
the Rev. r. S. Moran, ID, of Tarboro',
at II a. m., on yesterday, from the 21st
chapt. Isaiah, part of 18th verse: Watch.
man, what of the night 2" This sermon,
truly specimen of pulpit eloquence, was
preached professedly before the Williams
Association of Inquiry of this College.
At p. m. Seaton Gales, Esq, of Raj
eigh, delivered the Annual Grafton before
the Literary Societies. We shrink from,
the task of commenting upon the Grafton
of this gentleman, whose talents and abili-
ty are SO we'll known throughout the State.
He spoke before large audience, whose
frequent and iong-continued applause is
the best evidence of his success.
At p. II. the representatives OF the two
Literary Societies, the Eumenean and the
Philanthropic delivered their addresses to
crowded house. The first speaker was
Mr.. Wilson J. Mckay, phi. Soc J, of Har-
nett county, N. G. His subject was, "A
Word to the Sons of the Old North State. -
This gentleman's effort was quite success.
He spoke with becoming pride of his
native State-alluded with stirring words
to the glory of her earlier career-dep1ored
her present condition, and called upon her
sons to arouse themselves, and by mighty
efforts place the Old North State where she
stood IN days of yore. Speaking of
1776," he says "Who first sounded the
Joyous notes of freedom, which year later
were caught up and re-echoed from the con-
tinental Congress The Mecklenburg Dec
laration of independence, drawn up and
signed by the ancestors of some within the
sound of my voice, is jewel, whose bright
ness is undimmed by any that sparkles in
the crown of our country's glory p Speak
ing of the secession, he says: cit was not
till compelled by the force of circumstan-
ces, that on the Goth of May, 1861, with
her own hand, she bIotted out from the
flag of the Union a bright particular star,
which soon reappeared with its wonted
splendor in the constellation that graced
the "Bonnie Blue !" Again: Ever calm
and deliberate, she was slow to break the
bond she had always deemed sacred ever
faithful and frnn che Tho Loot 70 iolI
in the cause to which she had pledged her
life, her fortune, and her sacred honor"
But want of time and space forbid us to
notice this gentleman's speech further
Suffice it to say that his plea against emil
grafton and his complimentary allusion to
the fair ones, as one of North Cardinals
great attractions, brought such expressions
of appreciation from the house as showed
there is still in the breast of North Carroll
mas sons the same love of country, and ap-
probation of the fair, that has ever char
acterized them.
Next followed Mr.. Robert A. Lowry,
(Eu. Soc.} OF McMinn county, Tenn
Subject, ~ Can" He gave us an able
and interesting address showed ns what
great things man has accomplished in the
past by adopting the motto, II Can -
pointing to the great deeds OF heroes,
statesmen, &C., and made an appropriate
and beautiful application of it to us as a
people in our present unfortunate condi-
ton. Nor did he forget to say that the
Christian, when life's day is fading away,
can still look upward, and, adopting this
motto, say, 81 can - having us to bear in
mind that the confidence he would here
commend, is not that which arises from O
vain self-sufficiency, but is based on a con-
science that knows no evil.
North Carolina, was the next speaker. His
subject was: ''Woman's Influence" He
led us back through the ages of the past
bringing before us, in pleasing manner,
notable instances where woman has
swayed the sceptre of empire through nom
inal rulers; spoke of her influence in all the
relations of life, and especially pointed us
to thelate struggle of our unhappy country,
where the noble example and self-denial of
woman nerved our Southern youth for the
conflict. Nor was the least charm of his
speech his appeal to the ladies themselves
to still exert that good influence, and in
still into the minds of our youth the great |
principles of freedom.
The next speaker was Mr.. William
Ell. Stewart, (Eu. Soc.), of York
anity, the Soul Of Liberty" We cannot
refrain from saying that the effort of this
gentleman, so pleasing to the audience, was
consistent with that unfaiing character
istic of a true son of the Palmetto State.
Himself subject OF the Spirit of Liberty,
he could not fail to awaken in his auditors
whatever of that sentiment had been suf.
fered to slumber in their bosoms. Well
did he establish his point, and prove in
controvertibly, that christianity is the
Soul of Liberty - that where the darkness
of heathenism rests there the iron heel of
tyranny tramples upon everything, but
that under the fostering care of christianity
liberty asserts her predominance. and |.
waves her banner triumphantly over the
death struggle of tyranny. His speech
was rare gem of eloquence.
Next came Mr.. Melworth +. Reinhardt
Phi. Soc.) of Pettis Co., Mo.-subject
% The Times in Which we Live" He
handled his subject well, and that which at
lines is uninteresting to some, under his
treatment came to US with charm it new
or had before. We dived with him into
,he caves of cold ocean flew through
he regions of space amid rolling worlds.
the great discoveries and inven-
lions which belong to the Nineteenth CEN
;urv Trnfv ha ahnwad tn ne that Al, :,