Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-06-26

Il
Ga Tuesday evening at O'Clock, we had
the lirst instalment Of the Junior orations.
After opening with prayer by Rev DIR
Shelton, Mr. ID S Bodenhamer, OF Tennes-
see entertained the audience with an ora
ton on Freedom. His speech carried our
minds back instinctively to the days when
We used TO imagine that freedom was i'm
mortal, aud made us hope that the day |
was near when one and all could realize |
that "0lIr whole land is free, from North |
to South, from East to West, she gsrrisons
herself and tyrants rule no more"
Mr.. Young Redmund, Of Texs', thea
discoursed on Ambition, which was in IL
self a glorious theme. The young orator,
although somewhat embarrassed, managed
TO convince us that, although dangerous,
still it was a pretty good commodity to
have on hand. ......
The Triumphs Of Mental Energy we're
forcibly illustrated by Mr.. J. B. Hancock,
of Lebanon. His style was good, his
thoughts were cogenIly expressed, while
his train Of thought convinced us that the
triumphs of intellect were indeed Won
drous.
Mr.. T.. E. Beard, Of Lebanon, then de-
livered a finely written, analytical dis
course on "Imagination." The young
gentleman showed himself master Of his
theme, and instead Of indulging in fancy
flights, argued the subject in a clear and
critical manner, which reflected much
credit upon his qualities of head and heart.
On Wednesday morning the Moot Court
exercises of the Senior class recommended
and occupied the entire day. The case OF
Al III H.rdaastla
Register of Wilson county, was called at
o'clock. This case involved the validity
of the franchise law in Tennessee. ). +.
Wilson, Of Gallatin, and Z. ). Collins, oil
Memphis, appeared for the plaintiff, and
Henry l.. Bentley, of Glade Springs, Va,
for the defendant.
The argument was commenced by Mr..
Wilson. He took up the question like one
who knew what he was about, and pre-
scented fine argument against the validity
OF the franchise law. His logic was clear,
hil reasoning TO the point, while his man
ner and voice were we'll calculated 10
please his auditory. In short, his speech
was a fine expedition Of the law, and re-
Elected upon him the credit which his zeal
and faithtulness so we'll deserve.
Mr.. Henry F. Bentley replied, in one of
| the finest arguments it has ever been our
| good fortune TO hear. He labored under
the disadvantage of having not only the
unpopular but also the wrong side Of
the case. However, nothing dsnnted, he
| like lawyer of matured judgement, went
| at once into the discussion of the legal
| principles Involved, without strainiDg at
| all after outside effect. We hsd nc idea,
| that such anable, ingenious, and analytical,
| argument could be argued In favor Of suCh
| a Law. The court in summing up the case,
paid him the high aud we'll deserved COM
pliment of saying, that they felt assured
| that no such argument was exiant in favor
OF the franchise law, and that the
argument would have reflected the highest
honor upon its author, even IN the Su-
| preme Court Of the United States. If this
| speech be fair criterion of Mr.. Bentley's
ability, We predict for him brilliant and
successful career in his chosen profession.
| Mr.. Collins then closed the case in be-
half Of the plaintiff. He commenced by
exposing, in a mastery manner, some Of
the ingenious sophisms of the DEFENDANTS
counsel His argument was also to the
point, although his speech had more of the
rhetotiCian 10 it than either Of the others.
Mr.. T. is evidently young man of rare
genius, and with the proper culture, will
no doubt succeed in life His closing re-
| marks, truly eloquent, were fully imbued
with the grsndest Of the principles in-
volved, and he brought down the hOnse IN
rapturous applause.
The court, after the Argument, decided
against the constitntIopality OF the Law.
| On Wednesday evening at o'clock, the
case Of WeslbrooB's heirs rs Peter Hoover,
executor, came on for trial Ii was an is
sue Of DeUisaud uoi non, aud involved The
question whether or not strong belIti in
spiri.uali5m was such mental deraDse
ment as 10 inValidate a will. The case
was most ably and eloquently argued ny
the young lawyers, pro and con- Mr.. NJ
e Ford OF Huntsville, Ala, opened for the
plaintiff and made a legal argument, OF
which he may we'll be proud. His
summary and exposition Of the
facts in the case were splendid.
His speech would have done credit TO an
older head and lawyer with years OF
practice and experience. Mr. Ii W Ii sLt-
foot, Of CORTLAND, Ala followed for the
defendant ia an elaborate argument, which
for polished rhetoric and the grace with
| WHICH 1t Was uCllNtICu, Ndb bcCOhh W hO
effort made upon this occasion. Mr. } 8
Davidson, Of Nashville, then closed The
case 10 a few well-timed words, the late
ness OF the hour precluding more extended
remarks. The jury was then charged, but
the young gentlemen had presented the
case 30 ably that mistrial had 10 be en-
tered up. ...
| Wednesday night concluded the exer.
cises Of the Law Department Of the Uni
Versity. Al an early hour "Wednesday
night, the auditorium, where the Diplomas
were TO be delivered, was packed TO Teple-
ton. The exercises commenced with the
VAledictory TO the Law Glass by Mr.. NJ.
Merritt, Of HopkinsVille, Kentucky. A
yalediclory is one of the most difficult Of
subjects. Mr. Merritt, however, showed
himself fully equal 10 the subject and the
occasion. lie spoke TO his classmates Of
their chosen profession, the Law; Of
the honors 10 lie won therein, Of the incen
lives 10 unceasing labor; and of the
proud and lofty spirit which must know no
such word as fail in their pursuit after
legal fame and professional success. The
yaltdiciions were in excellent taste. His
speech was a success sBd does honor TO Mr..
Merritt's noble qualities of head and
heart Diplomas ere then delivered 10
the following yOung gentlemeu;
NJ Merritt, HopkinsVille, KY; p FL An
derson, Lebanon; f + Burney, Cross
Plains, Tenn H l. Bentley, Glade Springs
Va; q w Cummins, Franklin, Tenn; Z
S Collins, Memphis, Tenn; Davidson,
Nashville; w B Ford, Huntsville, Ala;
Il L Kimbrough, Ripley, Miss; ii W
Lightfoot, CourlIand, Ala; j b Mitchell,
Glennville, Ala; NJ w Neal, Glasgow,
XIV; J w Pruett, Johnsob'a Grove, Tenn /;
J Ii Owen, Nashville; K B Seay, Harts-
Vile, Tenn; w f Short, Sardis, Miss; r
IL Sierrift CoIumbiana, Ala; J j Wheel
er, Hopkinsville, Ky; s F Wilson, Gal.
latin, Tenn; l. Wood Readyyille, Tenn.
After this Judge r. J.. Caruthers, one
Of the professors of the Law School,
delivered an address TO the graduates,
which, for rare good sense and sound adj
vice, We have seldom beard equal. Judge
{. was peculiarly happy in his arguments
aud illustrations, and spoke words of wis
dom, which will never be forgotten by
those who, on that evening, began the race
for legal lame and success.
Thursday morning concluded this COM
mehcement, so Tar ss lis regular exercises
were concerned. These exercises we're the
hnal oratiOns by two Of the Junior clsss,
aud tue three Senior graduates Of the LAT.
eTary department. ... .....
Mr. Joe +. Williamson delivered very