The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-07-03
Celebration Of fhe Dialectic Society of
the Virginia Military Institute.
Special telegram to the Dispat


LEXINGTON, duly 2.-Ihe chapel of the
Washington and Lee University was crowd
ed tonight with one Of those appfeciative
audiences which Lexington, with the assist
ance of visitors, can always muster during
commencement week. Besides the large
number Of visitor; who remained over
from the University commencement there
have been fresh importations for several
days by every stage and boat, until the town
is again overflowing with strangers. Oi
course they are here tonight in full force,
the gay attire OF the bellies mingling plea
sanity with the bright buttons and gray uni
forms of the cadets.
After the usual preliminarieS the presiden!
of the Dialectie Society, Mr.. James Bonham,
of South Carolina, presented their debatcrs S
medal to Mr.. r. p. w. Morris; cf Hanover
county. Mr.. Morris made very applopri-
ate response, expressing the pride and plea
sure with which ho received the golden
approval of his Society, and bis appreciation
Of the responsibility he thus assumed. He
alluded to the brief but honorable history Of
his Society, gave some appropriate advice to
his fellow-members, and pledged. himself to
strive to prove worthy of the honor con-
ferred, or at least to be willing to say Sparta
had many Il worther sou than he. Mr.. Nor.
ris has won Society honors on several prcyi-
Gus occasions, and we have before had to re-
mark that his delivery is easy and graceful.
Cadet II. j. Matthews, president of the
Cadet Society, then appropriately presented
the medal TO their best orator and debatcr,
Mr.. u. l.. Sbottswood. of Richmond. Mr..
Spottswood's response was scnsiblc- grace
fully expressed, and very appropriate. Mr..
SpottswOod, too, has been several times be-
fore honorcd by his Society, and has always
done credit to himself and to them.
The report is not yet out, but it is under
stood tiidt both OF the medalists are among
the honor graduates: The orator of the
Dialectic Society was Cadet I. l.. Cochran,
of Alabama. After a few words to the Indies,
The professors, and his comrades, be an
no,lnccI as his theme "The Battle of Life"
He viydly pictured the varied phases of
life, adduced examples from history to illlls-
tl7lte his theme, and gave wholesome counsel
to his comrades.
The orator OF illc Cadets Society was Cadet
J. Hunter Smith, of Alabama, who an
noIlnccd as his theme " Man the Architect Of
his own Fortune" After arguing to eStlb-
lish the truth Of his subject, he discussed and
earnestly ehforsed the duties and response
blity growing ont Of this. Mr. Smith made
several good hits, and his draillatlc powers
(he is tie Brutus of the cluh) enabled him to
make some apt md beautiful quotations. lie
several times elected rapturous applause. In
concluding, he batir his comrades touching
farewell; for it is understood that he Is also
among the graduates this session.
II is gratifying to see that in seeking So
ciety nonors, lllese young men have not neg
lectcd the honors which the Virginia Mill
tary Institute has to bestow.
The young orators were rewarded with
more than the usual number OF bouquets,
cards, ETC., from the fair auditors. We regret
to say that sn heard tonight few clear
tones Of bellies and beatIx tint grated harshly
on the ear during the speaking. They mist
have been newcomers. The Lexington la'
dies do not talk during the speaking.
The mus Tonight by the Military lnSiI-
tute band. reinforced BY number Of new
pieces, was very sweet. On the whole the
celebration was decided success, and we
take it that the promenade home was, to the
GRAY Jacket who was s" fortunate as to
have some charmer on his arm, by far the
most enjoyable part of the entertainment.