The Van Buren press., 1870-03-15

SHELLEY to learn of the high position
assigned him in his class. the highest.
1t is more to his credit, from the fact
that he won the position, from hard and
untiring industry. DR. Shibley it win be
recollected. was a student of DR.. A. NJ
BouRLAND Of our city, and expects to
make this place his residence; and he Is
40 well and favorably known to our citi
zens, that it would be supcrfuous for us
to add anything to the highly compli-
mentary notice which we copy from the
Nashville Onion of the proceedings OF
the class, at the close of the session:
The commencement exercises Of the
Medical Department of the University of
Nashville were witnessed last night at
Masonic Hall by very large audience.
The spacious room was crowded to its
utmost capacity.
At half past O'Clock the Professors
of the Medical College entered the hall,
and walking down the aisle, took posi-
ton on the stage
The exercises were opened with music
by the band, after which the Rev. DR..
Baird followed in prayer
Alter music by the band, Dr. J. B.
Lindsey introduced to the audience DR.
John S. Shibley, of Arkansas, who had
been selected as valedctc rian of the
graduating class.
lie commenced by saying that We
feel honored by the attendance of SO large
and intelligent an audience on an occa
sion like this, and it is with the utmost
pleasure that we welcome you here to
witness the exercises of the hour He
thanked the audience for such mark of
appreciation, and the interest felt in the
cause of medical education--the cause of
the highest science and the broadest phi
lanthropy. The limits of our profession
are co-cNtensive with those of suffering
humanity itself The rich, the poor, the
learned, the ignorant, the virtuous and
the vicious, in every nation and in every
cline, are alike the objects Of its care and
the recipients of its benefits
Addressing his fellow students, the
speaker referred to the honor he had re
ceived in selecting him rs the valedicto-
rian. This honor, said he with the many
other tokens of friendship, will be gar
aered up while life shall last, amongst the
dearest treasures in memorys sacred
casket. referring in eloquent terms "a the
relations existing among the students,
and the friendship about to be broken by
oan Ia GnAxa Af tla ~ DrIJnuS In
ties devolving upon those who aspired to
a knowledge of the science Of medicine
" Having with great labor laid the founda
ton, shall we fail to rear thereon the su-
perstructures Or shall we not rather,
having planted the good seeds, cultivate
the young plants, and with assiduous
care bring them up to maturity and rich
and joyful harvest p
He referred to the hospitality of the
citizens of Nashville, and the cordial
welcome the students had received. Con
tinuing his remarks to the citizens pres
ent, he said :" In your midst is located
an institution of leaning of which you
may well be proud-her stately buildings
Of the several departments an ornament
10 your DeduJliul Guy, ncr growing Nlue
an honor to this noble State, and her
mighty influence tower of strength to
science, to freedom and to morality
that is destined to WELD
mighty force in the future Of this great
nation, and to send forth living stream
of knowledge that shall wash away the
dark stains of Ignorance and crime, and
bear on its broad besom priceless bless
ings to generations yet unborn"
The speaker devoted a portion of his
address to the professors, of whom he
spoke in terms of praise, and thanking
them for the interest taken in their wei
fare.
His concluding remarks to his fellow
classmates were very affecting, and his
address throughout was highly creditable
to the young speaker AT the conclusion
of his remarks, and while the band was
playing, several Of the Professors APP
preached him, and congratulated him up
on his very eloquent address.