Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-07-26
Macon Masonic Male college.

To the Editor of the Ledger:
Attendance upon the exercises of the
Masonic Male College, on the oath ult-
has assured me that there is life in the
old land yet did not reach here for
similar exercises of the Female College
the previous day, but was assured by
those who were present that the young
ladies displayed the finest scholarlic at
tainments. The President of the fe-
male College (Mr Pettis), a finished
scholar, and the accomplished music in
structress Miss Turner). with their as
sistants, certainly deserve the highest
praise. Their concert, on the evening OF
the 23d ult., was grand success, and
pupils only six years old exhibited won
derful proficiency in music.
The Male College being under the au-
spices of the Masonic Fraternity, the
oath day of June-St. Johns Day-was
selected for its commencement exercises,
that both celebrations might be had
the same day, and one Grafton
answer for both. Accordingly at
about ten o'clock am. the capacious
Baptist Church at Macon was crowded
to its utmost eapacity--aisles, doors and
windows. The exercises commenced
with prayer by the chaplain of the Macon
Lodge Of Masons, after which orations
were delivered by the graduating class
and the selected orator of the day. l
do not remember the names of all the
speakers, and therefore will not mention
the names of any But | desire to say
that all acquitted themselves hand
somely. In beauty of sentiment, purity
of style, and breadth and comprehension
of thought, the orations would do credit
to any institution in the land They
manifestedan exact and thorough scholar
ship. The valedictory pronounced by
the young gentleman bearing off the
highest honors of the institution, was
chaste, beautiful and eloquent.
After the valedictory, Prof G. W.
Johnston, the learned and accomplished
President of the Male College, delivered
diplomas to each Of the graduates, with
appropriate remarks.
These ceremonies concluded, and the
day being the anniversary of st. John
the Baptist patron saint of masonry
and the Macon and neighboring
lodges having met and marched in pro-
cesson to the church to attend the COM
mencement exercises, the orator of the
day, r. P. Duncan, Esq, young lawyer
of our city, was then introduced. | have
often participated on such occasions,
and have, in my time, heard a good
many orations, but have met with moth
ing Of the kind superior to the GRAFTON
of Col. D. His subject was the digni-
ty Of labor and he handled it like phi.
losopher and an orator Thewhole speech
was conceived in fine order, clothed
in chaste and beautiful Language, and
delivered with an ease and grace that
would reflect credit upon much older
men. 1t held the audience like spell
during its delivery, and upon its close
the speaker was Immediately surrounded
by crowd Of the audience and heartily
congratulated upon the noble effort
which they had just witnessed AT the
of this Grafton the large
crowd repaired to the beautiful grove
near by, and partook Of bountiful din
ner prepared by the hospitality Of Macon
and vicinity. The pleasures of the day
passed off with a dance by the young
people. All seemed happy, and nothing
occurred to mar the peace and happiness
of the scene May he live 70 be again
at Macon on the oath Of June, 1871.