The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-03-02
The Hon. Fl. D. Lesesne, the president Of the
Board of Trustees, then addressed the graduating

The Hon. Fl. D. Lesesne, the president Of the
Board of Trustees, then addressed the graduating
class rs follows:
Gentlemen Graduates-The diploma OF the col
| lege having been conferred on you, Will now, IN
say few words appropriate to this Interesting
| occasion-personay interesting to you and your
learned instructors, Indirectly so 10 the ehtire
community, through an institution Whlcn has lor M
| a long course of years reflected so mHch credlt
| on the State whose name 1t bears. 1t Is matter
of some regret that the college docs not at lnis
time enjoy degree OF prosperity commensurate
| with It's merits and advantages. But that Is only
| In keeping with the gloomy condition OF our ue-
| pressed country and we must all work on patient
day. Wv ''' 49,,
| ly subject of grave importance 1t beh0eVes
him to take care that 1t be the one Tor which mis-
gifts and tastes give him vocation. He VIII then
at least secure congenial companion Ior the
journey of life, and most likely acnieVc success.
| On the other hand, mistake in this matter in
wolves serious consequences IN respect TO MS use
frliness and his happiness The brightest intel.
lect may be rendered practically valueless II
| forced into an uncongenial employment Tor lie.
And it is a fatal, though not very uncommon,
error to select profession FOR one IN early NE,
before his peculiar gifts have been developed, anu
to persist in the choice in spite OF them.
| Assuming, gentlemen, that you Rave been Gulded
| by these Considerations, congratulate you on
the selection you have made. Tile profession OF
which you are now members Is, lnueeu, u no1ie
one whether considered with reference 10 tue de-
partments Of knowledge which belong 10 lts PROV
ince or TO the object 1t Is designed TO subserve.
How eleyating and interesting and uselui inc
study of the structure OF man, and the laws Whlcn
govern the functions Of Its parts and OF the prop
| critics of the numerous substances tnat nave oecH
mercirully provided for aleviating suffer.
ing How delightful the office OF administering
| to the relief OF the sufferer
1t Is beside my purpose, as IL wouid oe oe-
| yOnd my ability, to give any particular ln-
struction respecting the studies which appertain
| to your pro esslon. But let me offer the aumoni'
tory remark that you should now consider your
selves as having been only conducted TO the con-
nnes of q vast field which lies before you for eX-
ploration. Proper guides aud appliances have
been placed at your command. aud lt Is now your
business TO use them. Distinction, or real sue,
cess in your great profession cannot be expected
except as the reward OF funceasing labor and care.
full observation. The science OF medicine, as wen
as the healing art, Is progressive; anu tne nracLl-
TONER, who has an adequate conception VI MS ai,-
| out his wnolc career. And j would impress tnls
upon your oOIScenceS in view OF the reSponsloiil'
lies YOU are about TO assume. lncompetency Is
not so Quick or so sure Of detection and exposure
in yours as In other learned callings.
But human life Is imperilled in the one case only
| property in the Others. The me0lcal pretehuer, II
| u man OF plausible and tnsnuating address, may
commit havoc among his contdng patients, anu
yet, :or loug time, enjoy large practice ana
reputation, because of the lack Of an inevitable
practical test OF his qualifications. But let not
| your ambition he satisfied with any success
which is not built on thorough knowledge OF
what you profess to practice.
| have thought it proper to make these genPrai
remarks respecting the scientific quallncallons
and literary habits OF the physician. Let me now
add something with reference to considerations
Which should influence him in tile practice oi HIS
art. .
You must, of course, expect to become familiar
ha rSnnfi /,
dent thereto. But it Is mistake TO suppose that
this necessarily leadens human sensiblllty. Haolt
enables one TO retain his sell-possesslon amid
such scenes, and, therefore, to administer relel
more iutelligently and efficiently. But lie feels
not the less for the sufferer. 1t Is quite possible
then for the physician to possess ready and ten
der sympathy. And 1t Is his duty as wei as MS
Interest, 10 cultivate 1t. It is soothing palm 10
the patient, and wins his confidence and esteem.
On the other hand, Indifference to the suffering
he Is called on to relieve, and lmpatlence towards
the sufferer, are revolving. The proper relation
between the parties Is one OF confluence anu
friendship; and the physician should habitually
cherish The sentiments ant, cultivate the manners
that are indispensable to Its existence.
Besides that to which have referred, the phy'
siean should be characterized by all those Quail
ties which are embraced In the Idea OF trustwor'
| thnes3. He is necessarily admitted into conn-
,lences from which even other Intimate lrlends
arc excluded. He moreover sees the family as u
is in the Informal ASSOCIATION Oh is inenoels WI.
the conventonaliteS OF the world throw around
ordinary social Intercourse: This peculiar posi-
ton calls for the exercise OF the incest proprety
Those condolences mCSt &c. be dealt WIN lightiy
He must not In any way presume on MS aamis
sion into the bosom OF the family, nor permit MIN
self to make what he there sees and hears the
subject Of gossip. Above all, the secrets oi Tie
sick chamber must he sacred.
Disease is the universal lot OF mortality. But
although there be nothing degrading IN It, IL re-
volts the sufferer to think OF his ailments being
| made the topics OF idle comment.
But the recollection that for months past you
have listened daily TO lectures far more instrue.
| tive than anything eau say. admonlshes mo 10
sum up these REMARKS me PHYSICIAN, then, Mh0
cd IN It's learning, and keeps pace WIN us pro
gress, who finds his practice school Tor the I'm.
provencnt OF his heart, for the cultivation OF hgf
sentiments OF proprietJ and nonor, ana LOT IN tHs
exercise OF the refined eourtesies OF life, anu Wht
thus makes grateful friend Of every patient, mas
indeed an cnviable lot. / therefore repeat my
congratulations on your choice OF profession
and hope and trust that each one OF you may rea
ye the satisfaction anu happiness which are The
l"~ltmate rewards OF the kind ald ssilful phys
clan.
On the conclusion OF the chaste and eloquent
address of the president, DR.. Robertson stated
that another pleasing task had been devoivet
upon him to perform. DR.. C. U. Shepard, Jr., tht
professor of chemistry, knowing the urgent need
ofa thorough acquaintance with that branch
had prepared a r;ze to be given TO that member
of the graduating class who acquitted himself
best in that examination This prize, hand
some pocket case OF surgical instruments, was
awarded to Dr.. c. Schroeder, OF Charleston, anil
az the request Of the donor, he made the presen
lation Dr. Schroeder, in receiving the prize, eX
pressed his thanks for the warm interest dis
played by Professor Shepard and his acEnow
ledgmeut OF the honor awarded him.
In This connection, it would be proper to state
in justice 10 Dr.. \. +. Spencer, of the graduating
class, thu. lie declined to compete for this prize
as he was already graduate in chemistry and
pharmacy. and Dr.. C. U. Shepard, Jr., bore teSti
mony 10 his proficiency in those branches, having
presided at the examination.
Amer the commencement exercises the dean
invited the graduates to the "green room, VI
where an hour was agreeably spent in discussing
the COOL cheer provided, and in extending con-
gratulatlons on the close OF the course OF studies
that hal sent them into the world as NJ. DIS.
The graduates subsequently met and adopted
the following resolutions:
At meeting Of the Graduating Glass; held
Immediately after the commencement exercises,
Dr. George P. Trotter was called to the chair. and
mr. John II. Miller appointed secretary. Drs. A.
r. Spencer, c. II. Schroeder and J. N. Miller were
| appOntcd committee to draft resolutions ex-
pressing the views and feelings OF the class.
The committee presented the following resolu
tons, which were unanimously adopted: