The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-07-08

Exhibition Literary Addresses by
Colonel J. p. Thomas, OF Columbia,
and A. A. McP. Handy, of Darling
ton-Annual Debates of Calhoun and
Preston socteties-BriIIfant MT Party, Sc.
FFRoM An OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT.
sPARTANBuRa, 8. c., June 80.
The annual commencement Of WofIord Col
lece. which closed yesterday. wa an occasion
of absorbing interest to the large and highly
cultivated community OF Spartanburg, as well
as to the numerous visitors from the surround
ing country, and the leading gentlemen and
fair ladies present from distant portions Of the
State.
As an institution of Learning merely, Wof-
ford College is an ornament to the State, but
when it is viewed from the high moral and re-
lions standpoint it occupies, it rises to posi-
lion of usefulness and influence for good,
which, probably, is occupied by no other insti-
tuition in the country. The heart as well as
the head of the student IS eancated-tnose
more beautiful and ennoblng principles, which
lend charm and power and consistency,
and final success and triumph to life and char
acter are taught both by precept and example,
and interviewer in every part Of the system
employed.
INCLUDING the Preparatory Department, about
one hundred and thirty students have received
instruction at this institution during the col
legate year Just now closed.
The Facultp has been pronounced, by far
abler pens, of the highest order OF gilt and ac-
complishment-in truth, for the learning and
piety which it 80 beautifully blends, 1t has,
time and again, been declared as unsurpassed.
It is composed as follows:
Rev. A. II. shipp, D. D., president ana pre-
David Duncan, A. NJ, professor Of ancient
languages and literature; !.
Rev Whitefoord Smith, D. D., professor Of
English literature. a,i LII,
Warren DuPree, A. NJ, professor of natural
James H. Carlisle, a. NJ, professor Of mathee-
Rev. A. H. Lester, "A. NJ, professor Of histe--
~ and Biblical literature. 80. -
John W. shipp, A. B., principal preparatory
Whilst this college is conducted under the
auspices of the South Carolina Conference, It
is proper to remark that 1t is not sectarian In
its character, in the sense In which that term
s usually applied. It's students include tne
sons of members of all the other leading Chris
tian churches, and avoidance Of effort or pur-
pose to indoctrinate such or determine their
course, In this connection, is sedulously OBJ
served And 1t Is rarely the case that young
men PASS through this institution, or even re-
main for ahy considerable length OF time con
nected with it, without feeling the power OF
religious influence, or the direct enect OF CON
Of its students are exemplary processing Chris
tlans.
Craving indulgence for so much Of digres-
sion, we proceed to give some account OF the
Interesting occasion above alluded to.
The commencement sermon was proclaimed
by Rev. A. 81. Lester, a. H., at the College
Chapel, Sabbath morning, June 26 at II
discourse full of Christian truth and feeling
;admontlon for the young men addressed, anu
elected profound attention. l, ,..
First Day.,
The first day (Monday) was employed in the
examination of the several classes on portions
of the Bible, and In the evening the exhibition
of the Junior class-the eyamina ton upon all
other portions Of the curriculum having prevl-
ously taken place. The 'tjnnior" speakers and
their subjects were as follows, each speech
being followed by inspiring music from fine
ments of the fair ladies through the hands Of
the gallant marshals in attendance:
l. Removal of the eposits-McDufie-
Robert W. Barber, Chester, s. G..
3. Classical Localities OF our Land-J. W.
Boyd, Laurens. 8. G. Z
s. Death OF Marmlon-James H. Bryce, Co.
lumbia, s. G.
4. Regulus to the Roman Senate-Lewis G..
Cannon, Spartanburg, S. G.
S. Fate OF Virginia-Augustus GameWel,
g. BianneFhasset- Samuel G. Sanders, Smith
I. The Diver-Henry E. Partridge, Monti-
cello, Florida.
s. The Confederate Dead-Jamesc c. Wallace,
Union, S. C.
0. Icilins to the Romans-Thomas W. Smith,
Fayetteville, N. c. =
10. Against the employment Of Indians in
civilized warfare-Wllltam H. wallace Lau-
rens. s. G.
II. The Murderer's Secret-John Woods,
Darlington, S. G.
Second Day.
The second day (Tuesday, 2Sth ult.,) was
devoted to the literary addresses, morning
and afternoon, at the College Chapel, and, in
the evening, the annual debates of the litera-
~ societies. The morning address, before
the literary societies, was delivered by Colonel
]. P. Thomas, Of Columbia. His theme was
the "Science of Governments view OF Mr..
Calhoun's theory, and the presentation of
the system of proportional representation for
the protection of mlnorlties-followed by re-
marks more direct and practical to the young
men. The subject was handled with decided
ability, and the address throughout was well
received The Alumni Address, In the after
noon, by Mr.. Handy, Was scholarly paper.
characterized by depth of thought and accom-
plIshment of style, and was read With degree
of success rarely attained.
CALHOUN SOCIETY
occupies the beautiful hall in the third story OF
the left wing of the noble college building. Its
floor is covered with Brussels carpet. and
around its walls are twelve hundred valuable
volumes, pictures of Washington, Calhoun,
Lee, &C. The question In debate-"0ught the
press to be without legal restrictions H-was
decided in the negative. Nessrs. W. II. Wal
lace, of Lanrens, and John Woods, of Darling-
ton, spoke on the affirmative, W. H. Rogers
and j. H. Gamewell on the negative side-Mr.
Rogers's speech, in consequence Of his alb
sence, being read by Mr.. A. C. Smith. The
Valedictory address was delivered by Mr.. John
R. Abney, of Edgefeld, and Charles Petty,
ESQ.,, of Union, occupied the chair The youth
tul speakers all acquitted themselves hand
somely.
PRESTON SOCIETY
occupies similar hall in the right wing Of the
building, and is also in possession OF yalu-
able library. General ". H. Wallace, OF Union,
s. c., filled the chair with marked ability. De-
bate: HAre Protective Duties Beneficial p De-
cided IN the negative. Affirmative speakers
L. X. Clyde, Of Greenville. and J: W. Dickson,