Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-07-01

Commencement at Dfckinson College
The commencement exercises at Dickinson
College began on Sunday the 2Otl lust. The
sermon before the Society Of Religious Inquiry
was delivered on Sunday morning at II O'Clock
Ia Emory Church, by the Rev. c. p Wiry, DID.
who in forcible and logical style, showed the
Importance of an educated ministry, and i'm
pressed upon the members of the Society the
weight of the duties and responsibilities they
would assume upon their entry upon that calling.
| In the evening OF the same day at o'clock the
Baccalaufeate address was delivered by Prof. s.
| d. Whitman, A. NJ. The Professor in his pccali-
ary original, clear, concise and logical style illus
rated the unity and liherolity of truth, defended
dogmatlsm and sentiment aud forced upon all
the conviction of the Immortality Of the soul and
Of an eternity beyond this life.
| On Monday evening at o'clock the junior
oratorlcal prize contest for the gold and silver
medals took place. there being eight contestants
for the honor, all OF whom acquitted themselves
with mole than ordinary credit.
Among the number of speakers We notice the
name of Mr. Harry p. Cannon. of Brldgeville
Del. On the subject of Fashion threadbarc as
1t is-this young gentleman displayed consdera-
bic originality and entertained the audience with
n humorous witty, and at the sumo time scnsi-
BILE dissertation on the follies OF implicitly
obcying the " iron rule Dame Fashion imposes.
Mr.. Cannon Is iiac speaker, and so far as we
can Judge from the style of his speech, he will
doubtless become an orator, worthy of the steel
Of any Of his competitors.
The whole contest was one of more than ordi-
nary interest, and the efforts of the young gen.
tcman are spoken of as having surpassed that
OF any exercise of similar character here for
number OF years.
There was an exceedingly large attendance on
the occasion. The number of visitors here is
very laige, showing an increase abroad Of the
interest taken in this venerable institution.
After the contest. the sophonlores offered
sacrifice 10 Pluto. The victim was Days Art OF
Composition, n text book over which that class
had puzzled their brains for the last year. which
was burned upon an altar, and its ashes placed in
an urn and presented To the faculty. The cxer-
cscs on this occasion consisted of n History by
John Bedford, IL Funeral Sermon by ID. X. Boas,
Il Latin Prayer To Pluto by .. L. Paddock, aud
an Ode by the class. The procession was then
formed, and through the rain, at midnight, to the
solemn funeral march by brass band and the
tolling of the College hell, the ghostly attircd
members Of The class under the marshuship of
procession to the sacred spot bearing with them
The altar and the sacrifice. Here drgo was
chantcd, an invocation to Pluto was made, the
fire kiudled, the book consumed, and the mourn
ful procession returned to the College.
On Tuesday, mt O'Clock, p. m, the Senior
Glass Day was celebrated. consisting of Prayer
by Rev. j. X. Bailey, an Grafton by Wesley b.
llirons, of your city, Poem 10y s. NJ. Lcidig,
History by Robert W. Slerrctt, a Prophecy by
John +. flick, aud an Ode by W. S. Morrison.
The orator, particularly on on this occasion, ac-
quilted himself nobly, and his classmates will
not soon forget the advice of their champion and
leader.
In the evening, at O'Clock, an Grafton was de-
livered before the literary societies by A. Shape,
of New Jersey. The poet for the occasion, J.W.
Jackson, of Wilmington, could not he present,
greatly 70 the disappointment OF his many friends
and admirers in this place.
On Wednesday, ut 10 O'Clock, A NJ, the re-
union Of the literary societies was held, and at
O'Clock, T. NJ, the Grafton was delivered before
the Alumni Association by o. H. Taifany, ID. ID.
Ii is spoken of here us the hncsl trcat the COM
exercises OF Dickinson College have
ever afforded,
On Thursday, at 915 O'clock Commencement
exercises began. There were twenty-onc gradu
atts, four OF whom are from the Diamond State,
and they reflected great credit upon her. They
all held high positions in their class, and their
oraliOns were among the very best. We give
the subjects OF their speeches in order.
Utility vs.. Culture, by Geo. W. Denncy, of
Smyrna, Delaware. This was an able effort to
show the tendency 10 matcriali-m Of the present
age. The Grafton was classical one, an honor
well mcfittd. The young gentleman handled his
subject well, and his delivery was both forciulc
and elegant.
Simililude of Eras, by David c Dcnncy, of
smyrna Delaware This was Il comparison of
different cpochs in the history of the world, and
was al illustration Of the old udagc that history
repeats itself. Mr. ID. evinced an intimate nc
qtaintancc with this branch Of education. His
speech was written in good style, and lis manner
Of delivery wns pleasing.
Tones Of Antiquity, by Wesley B. Hirons OF
Wilmington, Delaware. This was dclineation
Of the Ancient style Of oritory. He said the
most Of Greek and Roman orators reached the
mind of their hearers through their hearts in-
stead of reaching their hearts through their
minds Most of them sought to he rhetorical,
logic and facts. They worked upon
the feelings instead of upon the Judgment of
their audiences. This he argued was one of the
causes ol the downfall Of these great republics.
" Inilueuce of REVOLUTION" by james NJ.
Shakespeare, of Dover, Delaware. This was an
argument TO prove That revolutions were NOT JUS
iiiiiblc, and that their tendency was to debasc
Instead OF to exalt the people who led them. The
was elegant, taultlessly logical, and
the urntOry fine.
These young gentlemen from your State ac
quilted themselves noby, rejecting honor upon
their State and upon their venerable "Alolher vi
Arts"
ALUMNUs,