Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-07-01
Washingtoa College.

glnla, OF Which zen, hlotit u, Ltt II tht IL
sident, was last week The sceue of many inter
es,iug exercises. We Gua a pleasant notice Of
them in letters to the Baltimore San, and re
greet that We cannot transfer the whole 10 our
columns.
On the night If the 22l ult., The chapel was
filed with an audience of beauty aud nteih-
rencc. the equal Of any which has ever cousre-
gated within its walls. The occasion was the
annual celebration Of the Two literary SocleueS
-" Graham and Washington and the
exercises passed of in manner most credita-
bic 10 all concerned, and much to the S9tlslac-
ton Of the large audience present. The plat
form was occupied 10y the trustees, faculty and
other invited guests, as well as the orators and
officers of the societies Prominent among the
group might be seen the stately form Of the
noble president of the college, Gen. Robert l..
Lee, the Rev DR.. Pendlcton, Of the Protestant
Episcopal Church. Judge John W. Broken
brough. Colonel Vim. Preston johnson, whose
gallant and distinguished father albert Sid
neyl fell on the bloody fields Of Shiloh the
Rev. DR.. Holland. Baltimore, and many others
Of note.
There are two literary Societies in the Col
lege, the Graham and the d" Washington
The presentation of the debaters medal Of the
Graham made by the president Of the So
ciely, John S. Barlow, jr., Of Kentucky, and
the recipient was George b. Peters Of Tonnes
see. Both gentlemen acquitted themselves
elOquently, and theirappropriatc speeches were
sreeted eDfbuSiasticallv
The medal is massive and Of solid gold
On one side is engraved palm wreath. encirc-
line the inscription" Washington College,
Virginia. 1s69-awarlcd to G.. B. Peters, Jr.
by the Graham p Society On the reverse
side is engraved the Confederate battle tiag,
encircled by an appropriate motto.
Mr.. ID. C. Lyle president Of the Washing
ton Society, presented their medal TO Mr. T. ,.
Wilkinson, Of Louisiana, who had been de-
clared the best debator." This medal is also
very handsome On one side is engraved 4
palm wreath encircling the inscription
Washington Literary Society, Washington
College to their best debator, Theo. 5. Wilkin-
SOD, 1862 rjea.
After the happy speeches Of Messrs. Lyle
aud Wilkinson, the president introduced Mr..
James G.. WinterSmith, lSon Of Col. Richard
c. Wiutersmith, for many years State Urea
Surer Of Kentucky Of Kentucky, as orator OF
the Graham Society. With an allusiOn to the
circumstances Of the occasion and the feelings
Of the young men about to step forth to the
battle of life. Mr. W. gracefully introduced
his subject, Moral Courage the Basis of True
Pleasure and Glory" Defining and illustra-
ting what is meant by moral courage, he con-
l,,l
who was destitute Of IT, lie wildly pictured
the contrast between the soldier who had true
moral courage and the one who could be bought
with the power Of place, or gold, and illustra-
ted by cNumPlcs drawn ffOu history.
Mr. g. ID. PAYNE, Of Alabama, a member Of
the Washington Society, was the next speaker
announced His theme, Eloquence the
Guardian Of Liberty" was discussed in a man
ner eyidencing careful study and preparation.
We copy the following from the Sun:
LEXINGTON, Va, June p.
Yesterday was probably the most brilliant
&c Comsmencementday ever witnessed at Wash
iugton College The chapel was crowded TO
its utmost capacity bv an audience in which
beauty and grace. youth and manhood, dignity
of character and scholarship, mingled in rare
proportions.
The delivery Of the certificates and diplomas
was attended with the usual applause, as COM
radeS and friends reoiced in the success Of those
who by patient toll had won the high honors
Alma Mater to-day bestowed. The college
prize grafton, which is awarded by the faculty
70 that student who submits the best for their
Inspection, was delivered by Mr.. C. c. Garrett,
Of Texas
The Law Class grafton was delivered by
Mr. John I. Pendleton, Of Kentucky, whohaS
Just graduated on law
The Cincinnati grafton. awarded by the
faculty TO that graduate whom they deem %
have attained the highest degree Of general
merit, was delivered by Mr. NJ. W. Hum
phries, Of West Virginia.
By the unanimous choice Of his comrades.
the post Of valedictory orator had been awarded
Mr.. j p. Strider, Of Jefferson county, West
Virginia, one Of the Masters Of Arts.
TNTr Ssrider IS the son Of our well-kuowu
fellow-ci;izen, John II. Suider; and we feel
great pride in the fact that in this, as on all
proper occasions, jefferson County maintains
an honorable position amongo9ators and scho-
lars.l
The speeches Of all Of the Young ovators werc
greeted with loud applause by their comrades
and with boquetS from their lady friends
The feature Of the day was the address Of
Rev. r. A. Holland, Of Baltimore. lie made
an eloquent speech.
Gen. Zee conducted the exercises with that
dignity and grace which so pre-cminently char
acterize him His words were few, but always
ftly chosen
The meeting Of the Board Of Trustees Of
Washington College was well attended on the
23d ult Only three were absent, one Of them
Mr. Mccormick, Of Chicago. lie wrote an
apology and enclosed a check for $4,000, in
addition to some $4,000 given heretOfore.-
General Lees report to the board speaks in
terms Of praise concerning the uniform good
conduct Of the students; states that the pro-
1ssors and their assistants have been jealous
IN the discharge Of their duties remarks ap-
pToUngy on the religious influences surround
ing the institution; refers to the introduction
Of several Dew schools recommends the free
tuitiOn By the college Of candidates for the
Christian ministry and closes by giving the
number Of students IN the several schools. rs
follows: I'm the school Of latin. 225: Greek.
12f modem languages. z06 4; English. 1875
history aud literature, to moral philosophy.
as mathematics, 254; applied mathematics.
40 natural philosophy, 30 natural history,
chemistry, Jos NV aud equity. Il
The address before Ito Society Of Alumni
was delivered by The Rev. Charles Baker David