Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-04-30


the University OF Virginia
Society CelebratIon-OratIon bv
McKessan, Of North CaroiiAr-F,.'
Celebration, &c., sc.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, April 20. go
| Nessrs. Editors 1t will probably h,
source OF some pleasurerthough minolo,
1t may be with pain-to describe To von
scene associated as it will be with ,ba.
witnessed SO often in the halcyon dav, -
yore at Chapel Hill, when the chiva,r ~
the South were proud to kneel n H.
affairs, and quaf instructive waters fr,,
her golden cup of knowledge, and who,
her classic walls joyfully resounded n;i
voices now hushed in death. Pleasart :.
will be to pass these scenes before Won :.
panoramic view. that you may recall j.
this mere picture of the past what vo,
then realized. Painful it will be 70 krcu.
that those days, like drops of rain elstor
ing beneath the sunbeams of peace on,
prosperity, have blended with the MIGHT.
stream of time, to be borne back 70 ,bo
illimitable gulf of the past, there to bo
mingled with its lethean waters Rrt
Messrs. Editors, Chapel Hill is no more
The few tatterdemalons who have gathered
around her polluted affairs, beit her
present deplorable condition. Our only
hope is that soon she may emerge fri.
umphantly from behind the dark cloD5s
which now obscure her brilliaucy. and
unveiling her peerless light, shed rays Of
truth and knowledge upon the now youth
full intellects of our country, and if this
hope is not Utopian, the sky of our futurity
will be studded with as many and rs bril-
liant stars as was that of our past.
Driven as We have been from her hal
lowed walls, we have found in the Uniyer
slty OF Virginia an alma mater worthy OF
our adoption. Affiliated as they are by
common cause (the restoration of com
mon country. she has extended her ma
ternal hand to the prosecuted sons of tLe
South, to direct them by the path OF Truth
and Learning through the many intricacies
and difficulties incident to the eventlul
epoch III which they are to mould their
destinies and that OF their common mother.
North Carolina this session has O represen-
tation of thirty seven, ami among them
not few promise to be of eminent service
10 her in the future-intellectualy morally
and socially. am happy to say that our
time thus far has been both useiuliy as
well as pleasantly passed, and we are any.
lously awaiting the approaching close OF
the session.
On last Tuesday, the 18th of April the
Jefferson Society, revering the memory OF
h x&ylNr n ,nly 81
dawn of American Independence, celebra.
ted the anniversary of the birth Of Thomas
Jefferson, whose name she proudly bears
When the setting sun had shed its last ray
as the signal of the approaching festival, IA
dense crowd thronged In the spacious hall
OF the University to witness the scene soon
to be presented, and to dwell with silent
rapture upon the words of the orator re
| lected for the occasion. After few pre-
liminary formalities and the reading lby
Mr.. Tuck, of Maryland), OF the DecluIa-
ton of Independence, the nOblest pro
duction of the great sage, the President,
M. r. S. Williams, OF Alabama, intro
duced, as the Anniversary Orator, Mr.,
Chas. F. McKessan, of North Carolina.
The speaker, after few apt and beautiful
remarks preparatory to ushering us into
the field, from which he was to Gull his
many-hued flowers of rhetoric, ANNOUNCED
as his theme, "The Influence of Surround
ings on Man." His subject was well selec-
ted to say it was we'll treated would be bu,
to echo the sentiment Of every one upon
whom his persuasive voice fell.
To give you an epitome of his speech
He first discussed the influence OF woman
upon mans character, portraying briefly,
but beautifully, the potent Influence she
exerts. He then established as fact that
the variety of climate causes q great diver
Sity of manners and customs. tie then
pointed out the influence the form Of gov
eminent exerts in the development OF
mans intellect, and lastly, he instituted
the inquiry as to wb ether there is not some
immutabie principle by which we may
shape our course when surrounded by the
various trials incident to life. Religion ne
thought was the directive principle, and
one calculated never to mislead. He there
fore earnestly hoped that assuming this as
our standard, we would bear 1t proudly
through the battle, field of life, and, emery
ing victorious from its various contentious,
we would be protected by Its sacred folds
when we have planted it on the ramparts
of Eternity. The speech was of happy
length, being only forty minutes 1t was
well received-the audience manifeStln5
their intense appreciation by frequent
dem constructions of applause.
Our final celebration will take place oil
the 18th of June. 1 cordially extend an
invitation to you, and if it would be OF
any avail would gladly extend the same
to the fair ladies of our city. Messrs
Editors, hope you will pardon my pro
lixity, but assure you that my letter
would not have APP reached such a length
if the first part had not been dictated by q
heart pregnant with hopes for the future
reorganization of our University, and the
latter by never fading friendship and
admiration for one of North Carolina
sons whose presence gives token of bright
and glorious future. Z. ID. W.