The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-06-25
From our Special Reporter
Washington College Commeaee ments
!, c;ErEnRATfos orrHE LITERARY
7 - SOCIETIES.
1rrrnoros. ". june %, 1869.

AxCXISETDN, var SS'
The annual celebration OF the TWO me-
rary societies" Graham ana Hasn,
;npten p--.passed off tonight with consider
obIe eciat.a The audience was all .nat tne
warmestv friend of the college couid desire.
The chapel was crowded to it's utmost capa-
citv with beauty, manhood. and dignity
large numbers of recruits from dlstance
ad5;ngf5 the attractions which the commu-
nitv can boast. The platform was occu-
MED by the trustees; faculty, and7other IN,
r;ted quests. as we'll as the orators and
officers of the societies. After the usual
preliminary marching in of the societies
and maneuvring of the commuters ana
morsbals.-dressed in most approved style
and decked with ,ribbons-the regular
exercises of the evening were begun by the
nroscntotion of the debatcr's medal Of the
Fra ham Society by the President-Mr: John
8 Rar;ow, Jr., of Kentucky-to Mr.. George
B. Peters, of Tennessee. ...,= =, =. -
Mr.. Barlow gracefully alluded to the con-
test for the prize, which had Just taken
nIocel and said that it was not,the least OF
their Measure to know that" no heart burns
over the result a The Graham Society had
chosen her master workman, and 1t was mis-
agreeable, task to announce that choice. b.
Turning to Mr.. Peters, he said J." am
the bearer of a message to. you from the
Graham Society," message of compliment
band courtesy. AS o lasting mark OF their
appreciation of your service, your unre-
hitting fidelity, and high devotion to its IN
terest I am commissioned to ebestoW this
medal upon YOU. 1t is the highest honor in
their gift, and they feel that you are in all
respects fit recipient OF, such On honor
And while it may serve some time to direct
YOUR gaze backward to your nourishing
mother, may it also point you forward TO
the opening glories of longer life.
at is doubtless the result OF much toll
activity, and effort in the Students career
But when you come to traverse the stricken
field of life, where the path of victory
leads over battered helmets and splintcred
dances, may this be n light to your feet, to
stream in gentle radiance before You, and
lead you on to higher and grander achieve
ments. t E '@ ~
Mr.. Peters, in reply to the President, &C
cepted his eulogstic terms rather rs
grateful words of friendship than as de
served tributes to merit" Turning then
to the Society, he said: .'."
- FeUo,D-McmberS, - These needs of
praise that you annually pay to one OF
your number are, from their intrinsic
worth, ever highly priced. But should be
wanting. in modosty were incapable OF
feeling the responsibility incur in accept
ing this honor, which heretofore has been
awarded to such gifted and deserving mem
bers, .graced, rs it ever is, with the charms
of beauty md adorned with the dignity OF
genius My gratitude to you for your gene
rous fayor-for bestowing upon me this
brightest Jewel that glitters in the crown
of your Society-is too deep for words.
1t is golden link in the chain
of memory by which, in future years,
I shall recall the classic shades of my
fostering, mother and review the hopes
and inspirations of the olden time. With
it my regar d for you can never sink be-
meath the Lethean wave, nor, forgctful Of
your interests, can ] ever bow down and
worship ut strange affairs but with this
sacred talisman my heart will ever turn
and return, faithful and true, to its first
love. If indeed, / may not claim in your
fattering words that it shall ''point me
forward to the opening glories of a longer
life," it will at least give encouragement
to fearless discharge of duty, ever re-
minding me that. the welfare and re-
putation of the Society depends upon
her individual members, not only
while within r. her hallowed walls,
but when struggling in the great battle OF
life" He eloquently cxhorted his fellow
members to fix high standard, and earn
estly strive to reach. it, and expressed his
warmest wishes for the future prosperity OF
the society. In the. past, tempestuous
clouds have envcloped our society in the
future, may no destructive thundcrbolts
strike her, but may Eolus loose from his
cave only prosperous gales that will wait
her along career of unequalled distinc-;
ton. May you, fellow-membcrs, y wreath
q new halo of glory around her fair brow,
which, rejecting the radiance of her past
history, shall shine with enkindling, light
as beacon to her future fame. May the
fire which you shall kindle upon her affairs
be kept ras bright and undying as the fame
that burnt at Vestal's shrine. May your
hall ever be q temple where genius and
worth may offer their deyotions---a school
for the cultivation of heightened honor-a
shrine for the Hottest devotion and the
noblest ambition-a home for the purest
friendship and the tenderest recollections.
Eloquentid ct veritdS is written on your
banner. May Friendship, Love, and Truth,
ever remain among you, for these are the
Three golden arrows In the culver ...-.--
"a Do Filled else with darts OF strife:
Three sunny islands in the river, .' p.
The rapid stream OF lie. .... ...a JEST
Three stars in heavens gem-decked attire
That never fade or dim: ..~- .. .-
Three -harp-noteS In the spirit Tyre
That angels love to hymn. SO ..,sg tJiy .@
Three watch-lights on the stormy highlands
OF carth's waye-beaten strand; r-.
Three harbOrs 'mOng the rocky islands
~ Bcgirt with trcacherous sands. -
hreclifc-preservers on Times ocean
With dangerous reefs bclow H~sf t.'.. .-
Three voices midst the hearts commotion
To hush It's strains Of woe.
This was very gracefully delivered, and
was greeted with loud applause. The medal.
is7of heavy solid gold. On one side is en-
graved q palm wreath, encircling the in
scription, q Washington College. Virginia
to G. 3. Peters, Jr., by the
Graham ?. Society,"" On the reverse side
is engraved the Confederate le-fag, en-
circled by the motto, " Palmam Qpi 1Neruu
FerGt." ... .... ...,... ,..,.. ..st.
Mr.. D. C. Lyle, president of the Wash
ington Society, then presented their medal
to Mr.. T. S. Wilkinson, Of Louisiana, who
had been elected "Best Debater." This is
also very handsome medal. On one side
is engraved palm wreath, encircling the
inscription, Washington Literary Society,
Washington College-To their beet debater,
Theo.S. Wilkinson-lS69-Eicit."aa, a2f7
In presenting the medal Mr.. Lyle said
q have the privilege, on behalf of the