Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1869-07-02
Commencement at Roanoke.

Editors N,1cS: Belle wing, as / do, that
you feol deep interest in the education of
the youths Of our land, and that portion
of your paper is devoted to said purpose,
have been encouraged to give an account
of Roanoke College conmencement-nd
occupy mere space than could ask at your
hands.
The BacchslaureRte sermon, delivered by
the President, Dr.. Bittle, was roplste with
everything that makes production able.
This was the opening exercise; and while
there was large and appreciative audi
ence in attendance, IL was not near the
crowd that was present on Monday night.
Part of tho beauty aud intelligence of Yir-
ginia and some OF her sister States arrived
on the Sunday night train', which increased
the number considerably. AL seemed
happy; the young, midd!c-aged, and those
who had passed tho meridian of life, vera
mingling together, taking OF the past and
the prospects of the future.
GA Monday evening G V. McMlllcn Gu
tertained the citizens Of Salem on the pJliti.
cal Issues ofthe day. Tne effort was good,
and We lope the Governor may b. as sue
cessful in electioneering for the Walker
ticket as he was some years back for the
McMullen. The people of that town and
surrounding country seem to be fully
aroused to the great importance OF the
issue, and think We may reasonably ex-
pect from them strong Conservative
maiority. Bat am digressing.
Ii is now time for the contest in orRtoryi
for already had the church been thrown
open for tho rush that would soon be m de
10 procure the best seats. 1t was not long
efore all were 10, and siter prayer by the
Rev. Houston, the exercises began. | vii
MT weary the patience OF lonr readers
with more than to name the conto stants, fl
where all did so well, distinction would b'
; inviduous. Messrs. Williamson, Fairfax
NefT Hsury, Copenhaver, Sebole, Ciancel
l,r AMI Ltyne constituted the number
/: After an absence Of about thirty minutes
fthough It seemed three times that TO tn
an lience,) the committee returned dccis
. ion ia favor Of Nc. Nef, Of Shenandoah
HIS sub, ct, Esprit of Genius" was wei
ha,dled and ref cted cred upon the youn
man NJ. Ward, who was chosen by III
, Black DE, "a secr,t organic alton con
necie1 with tho CIllegr.l awarded ia
, medals. Ga TUESDAY, AZ ii O'Clock, A. Nj
= Mr. NJ. 4. Muncaster, Of Maryland, ad
q dressed the Alumni | can only say that
y gave ent re satisfaction al avince power
u no ordinary kind. At night the Rsy. ID
\ McCton, Of Baltimore, delivered an addrei
= TO the literary sicieties Of the institution
. IL was egArded by all We heard speak
. of il, as a mfstCrly production, aud We al
II safe in affirming that he is Que Of the fine
orators in the United States. lie possess
y all the qualities requisite to make It
~ polished gentleman and o, qreut speake
d Ga Wednesday morning, at 10 O'ClOc
- the graduating class entertined the aul
~ ence. II was COMPOSED Of ten young gel
20 tlemen-Messrs. Nowlil Of Ala, Nelson
" Ca, Nelson OF L., Borb Of Penn, ODE
Is shain. Flirfax, Graybhl and Cop nhlver
Va, and Bnrson Of Tenn. This feature
y the commencement, like the others hq'
10 men Toned, was upon the whole 'sry d
- peri finance.
y, Rornoke College, though Of but foutte,
years standing, ranks among the first los
20 u.ions of the Stat,, not only for
thorough intellectual dis ipline bnt for &
great moral Influence its Faculty exert Oy
~ tho S uIents. Situated in dtllghtl
Io valley, with the Roanoke river passi
y, through IL, aud tho Allegheny mountains
~, tho west aud the Peaks Of Otter In tho o.
10 healthier country celld not DO found
VI the State nor Is theTJ any other institute
~ that offers greater facilities to yourg m
III laboring under peouniary embarrassment
"a The Faculty are experienced men and z,
'us tlemen Of the highest type. Those desir
~, to enter a College can satisfy themsel
''' OF its grule by comparing Us currioul
With others. There were lS5 siudCnu
~, atteni lance iho past sessioa, and a roas
~, able hope OF large Increase lhe next te
NV OBSERVED