Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1869-07-23
THE COMMENCEMENT AT DUE
WEST.

On Wednesday and Thursday Of
the past week We had tho pleasure Of
the Annual Commencement
of the fourishing Colleges, male aud
female, at Duo West, in our District.
Never have we witnessed larger at
tendancc, and never have VIC Lccn
present on any similar occasion, when
theicxcrcises better sustained the high
Character of the Institutions; reflected
more credit alike upon pupil and in
structor, or ministercd more largely
to the entertainment Of delighted au-
dicnccs. Representatives were there
from the adjoining States: mauy from
the adjacent or more remote Districts; !;
whilst Abbcville poured forth in over
flowing fulncss the wealth of her
beauty and intelligence. The cour-
tesy of President IIammett, the OBJ
liging Chief Of the Grccrviilc "ni
Columbia Railroad, had furnished ut,-
usual facilities to those coming from ::
.distanc &c; whilst for miles around
from far and near, every vcL;c!" had
been pressed imto service to bear th"
living tide, which rolled up on this
festival occasionr--this animal jubilee
OF letters. 70 the uninitiatcd, ii is IL
wonder how Due West can furnish
"tho loavcs and fishes" for SO great q.
naulitude; but her hospitality is
princely, and extended without stint
or measure. Like the tairy's ton,
her capacity expands 10 meet the cx-
igencics Of the occasion. aud all who
come receive cordial welcome, and
aro entertained generously, freely and
graAuitously.
An honored friend remarked to us
in reference to the recent Commence
1nent, that "Duc Vest has become q
great place." and if tho possession of
two Of tho most fiourishing Colleges
in the State, embracing with their
fostering care tho very ellie Of both
sexes; attracting TO their Annual
'Commencements the best intellects
aud most distinguished names Of the
country; and sending annually from
;their portals brilliant array of gen
erous yonths, with minds disciplined
by the learning ~:hich strengthens,
and tastes cultivated by 40 rraccs
which embellish-bc IN element OF
greatness, then III The remark emphat-
- ~, lt..----- II t.nll..cns Of the country
are 49,: t tno patronage w;hiict,itr
the President Of the Male College,
and the Rev. Mr.. Bonner, OF tn c
Female College, are both admirable
disciplinarians, and possess admins
trativo talents of IL very high order.
In their mental characteristics they
present n rare combination of the
active and.the speculative, and unite
with a knowledge of books, an insight
into motives, and En- experience OF
life, which enable them to inspire the
youthful mind with generous cmula-
ton in the pursuit OF learning, end to
exert u controlling influence in the
use OF. the means to- secure its attain
ment. With them respectively arc
associated corps Of accomplished in
structors, male and female, who, in
literary and scientific attainmcnts, arc
not surpassed by any others in the
State. a.,
This, then, IS tho chief element of
the prosperity of the colleges in Due
West-thcy receive patronage because
they deserve il. AS incidentally con.
trlbnting to the same end, We have
thought that tho. contiguly Of the
institutions, and the combination ct.
the 'Commenccmcht exercises may no,
be without their influence. "A e4ner-
ous emulation is inspired between the
sexes, which finds its fruition in tbe
Annual Exhibitions; and besides these
Annual Commandments thus com
bincd, make q greater 'disblay, attract
a larger crowd and awaken a greater
interest The interest of patrons and
f'iends, dthegeneralpub awaksns
the zeal Of pupil and instructor and
thus the action and reaction goes OF,
all are alike. Interested and inspired
and the 'lnstitntiens2 prosper. What.
eyer be the cause, th snfaet raIna;na.