The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-06-28
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA.
COMMENCEMENT WEEK.

COMMENCEMENT WEEK.
Special telegram to the Dispatch.
Final Celebration of the Washington
Society:
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, June n.
The Public Hall was crowded to its ut
most capacity tonight to attend the final
celebration of the Washington Society. The
illumination and decorations of the Hall
were splendid; and the array of beauty daz-
cling. After the usual marching cercmo-
monies, the exercises WERE Introduced with
prayer by Rev. George B. Taylor, Chaplain
of T Tbe fresdshs' r mckenzie; Of Florida,
greeted the audience and presented the de-
6ater's medal to Mr.. Linden Kent, of
Louisa county, Va, who received it in a
neat and appropriate little speech, which
was very gracefully delivered. lie said
AS the Representative of the washington
Society have the honor to announce that
Mr.. Linden Kents Of Virginia, Is declared
to be the best debatcr of the session of $50
and 10, for which he is now to receive this
medal. We bestow it not for its INTRINSIC as
value, but as d just re.eard of 1nerlt--oi
mort acknowledged by the impartial SUI
frages OF otir SoEiety-of merit tested for
months in the forum of debate.
To YOU, sir, addressing MIR. Kent in the
name of the Washington Society tender
this testimonial of their appreciation 5f
your ability rs a debater. Accept it, and
may it incite you to yet greater eXertions.
Remember that the contest is just begun
Remember that the success Of which 1t 1s
token Is but the earliest Of still prouder vic:
tories to be achieved upon the worlds broad
field of battle. Accept it, and when, in the
l. e 1lAnU
YOUR ambition be stimulated, yet chas-
tened by the reflection that though it
is the guerdon of unwearied perseverance.
and noble endeayor nothing great is lightly
won. Mr.. McKinnie continued in the same
strain to the conclusion.
MIR. Kent replied as follows: .u.
mfr. President and Gentlemen OF the
Washtngton S0ciety,-There is no one
among YOU who does not remember the
eagerneSs with which he sought the glitter.
ing prize that his childish fancy had placed
at the end Of the glowing rainbow. and as
childhood has grown into manhood, as thc
| illusory anticipations of early life have been
dispelled like the tints of the morning rain
bow, as we have been stilted from that
miniature world to tile larger one; which
EXPANDS in unmeasured leagues before us,
and over whose untravelled wastes many OF
| us are tonight commencing the journey,
| by every act, in every desire, we are but
| manifestlng in different manners and by diff.
| ferent expressions the existence still OF that
! same spark which, kindled on the altar OF
| the heart Of childhood, can never be extilts
suIshed or smothered by the Steiner rean-
| ties of matured years.
Through all the vicissitudes of life the
chief cause of mans happiness is found
| in the cheering anticipation of reward with
\ \, +bo f,,f1 10 brio tn-njDht l
would claim no exemption from this feel
| inc, which alike stimulates and sweetcns
the toll of the lowly peasant us he hope!
fully looks forward and cheerfully walks Oh
amid the placid obscurity of his poverty,
| which encourages and strengthens the stu
dent when his heart, fainting under the bur-
I den, is electrified by the inspiration OF its
| touch as he contemplates areward to which
| labor will have impaired an additional lus-
tire and superior dignity; or whether
manifested in almost its divine form, as,
when amidst the trials and prosecutions OF
| life, it comforted the apostle and enabled
| him at its close to look triumphantly from
earth to heaven and eXclalm with rapture
| upon the work accomplished as he left it to
receive that reward which awaited him In
higher sphere.
| But when tonight, amid the brilliant
scenes of this festal occasion, to which mu,
| sic hath lent the power of harmony, and
beauty by its sweet enchantment lights the
way to joy, l receive from the hands OF
| those with whom have been united in Of
fiction this golden testimonial, precious
| though it shall be as reward OF any hum
| BILE merit may possess, yet dearer far to
me us token of your esteem as-a seal OF
your friendship-it Will ever be associated
| with the sunniest days of my existence and
| whether disappointment shall darken my
| hopes OF success shall crown my efforts it
wifi alike recall, as with magic power, the
| happy scenes, the cherished friendships, OF
nv youth, ere the pure love, the generous
| impulses of the heart, have been chilled OF
| blighted by the interested calculations OF
more selfish manhood.
| And in the words of kindness and en-
| couragement in which you, sir, have pre-
sented this gift recognize that same spirit
which rendered so pleasant my connection
with the Society over which you Wortnliy
| preside and be assured that in pursuing
| the aims of life your warning shall eyer De
needed, for in this honor, whilst discern
the quality which would create feeling OF
safety and inaction unworthy man, YET
| T behold in it that higher power when
| invites to purer and q nobler manhood,
Then, gentlemen, I accept it with the
promise that in life's contest it shall be 4
constant reminder of life's ends and llfe
aims. Uniting the anticipations of the III
ture with the memories OF the past, re-
| ceiye it no less US a testimonial OF your ap'
probation of my past efforts than as ~,
assurance of your sympathy in my future
labors. 1t will smooth the rough places Id
life's pathway it will light up. the dark
valleys through which | may walk, and In.
part an exquisite refinement TO the JOYS
| that the future NAV possess. And as Win
tonight closes the scenes which IL sn;lii
recall, bid you all an affectionate adleu.
"Like the islands that slumber on the
ocean, secure from the waves that roll
and dash against their sides, may ]
wish for you all on life's stormy ocean
q protection and security against the
pillows of passion and temptation thai
beset you. And remembering that there
can be no true virtue where II Is mol
tempted-no carnage where there Is ne
danger-may the trials Of life but serve Il
exalt your characteristic perfect your live
as you advance higher and higher in I'M
development Of your natures, acqulttln:
yourselves on the worlds field OF action a.
sons worthy of our noble alma Aater, WIZ
sends many Of you forth tonight richl..
laden with her gifts to assist in leading tn
Gland we love- from the darkness OF nigh
which envelopes her. And as the star
shine brightest when the midnight gloom
darkest, 80 may your lives more resplen
IDENTIFY shine in tl,;s tha darkest hour of YOU