Smyrna times., 1872-07-10

ceedings having been taken in the meantime
to either draw the lottery or sell the grant a
new set OF managers were appointed who did |
sell the grant, and in 1928 the buildings I
were begun and finished in the spring of 1884. '
In 1888 the Legislature changed the name from
Newark College to Delaware College, and the
Institution was opened under that name. Of
the forty or fifty boys assembled on that first day
but two were found prepared for admission to
any college class. They were Mr.. William 5.
Graham, Of New London and Mr.. Alex. T.
Gray, from near White Clay Creek Church.
and they were admitted to the Sophomore class
half advanced, and they were the only college
students during that term, which ended In
September. OF the improvised Faculty who
opened the College, the only ones the speaker
could now recall, were Prof. Munroe, who was
called Vice President and had sort Of Bellies
Letters professorship; Prof. john Holmes
Agnew, of Languages, and Prot. n. Graves,
Of Mathematics. At the September meeting !
of the Trustees, however, full Faculty was
elected, with DR.. +. n. Gilbert as President.
The next term, beginning in October, 1884, |
opened with brilliant prospects for the young
college, full Faculty, competent and enthusi-
astc, with seventy odd students N1essrs.
Graham and Gray then became the senior
class, with the addition of one new member,
ID. Hayes Agnew, Of Lancaster county, Pa.
At this term a Freshmen class was entered
and its members were Messrs. Bell, Blaney,
Clawson, Jones, Mccullough Riddle, Slay-
maker Tattow, Turner and the speaker. These
!, with the addition of Agnew and Graham of
the Junior class were the founders Of the
. AthanGan. This prosperous condition of at
fairs lasted but single year, when the Presi-
dent, some members of the Faculty and several
( of the Trustees resigned, and interest in the
4 College began to sacken. But the years 1885,
6 and 7 still found the College with all four
a of its classes in full operation. The speaker
- believed that the first serious stab the pros
'f perity of the College received was from the in
n consistent and whimsical action of the then
H Faculty. At the opening of the second term
of the College in the winter Of l834-35 the
the subject was at once mOoted, The first
action was taken by the Academic students, al
= the suggestion of Prof. Graves, and the Delta
Phi party organized. As this action was taker
without consultation with the Conegians th'
latter felt their pride and dignity somewha
touched, and the Junior and Freshman casse
therefore organized the AthenGan. COlone
Whteey then briefly sketched the after-life o
those who founded the AthenGan, paying a
especial tribute of eloquent praise to MI
Graham, and then made an earnest an
eloquent address in behalf of high culture an
thoroughness in study, which the CROWN
length of this letter fOrbids any attempt I
give an abstract of to-day.
At the conclusion Of Colonel Whiteley's az
dress, in response to repeated calls, brit
speeches were made by Rev. Mr.. Mitchell au
. j. Alexander Fulton, Esq.
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES-WEDNESDAY
At about 10 o'clock, Wednesday mOrnin
. PROT Macheret exercised the students in Il
military drill, and at IL o'clock the processlC
of Faculty and Students marched into the C(
The ne lege Oratory.
The proceedings were opened with pray
at BY Rev. Mr.. Stone President Purnell tn
introduced to the audience Rev. William
leir Handy, of New York, formerly of Marylan
who made really admirable address.
ner Hon. Jesse e. Dickey, of Pennsylvania, "
and the next speaker, and testified to the exceler
Viii of the training given by this College years az
ade and expressed his approval of the progressi
step taken in the admission of women.
THY President Purnell next introduced Antho
pen Higgins, Esq. a son of Delaware College.
resi- referring to our school system he said WI
the we imperativeIy need is complete State s
ates TEN of primary schools and high schools q
GUS academies, so that the child of the poor
lirds citizen may have opportunity and incentive
IS to acquire the learning essential to admission
college. The city of Wilmington has an
will mirable system, under excellent supervis
own, and control, with an efficient Superintend
on at its head. 1t has commodious and eleg
ents. school houses, and last year, for the furt
rary improvement OF its system, it spent the n
llege nhcent sum or SSO,UOO, S3OOOO OF which
town raised by direct taxation. 1t yet needs r
Rev. lie high school to complete it. New Cas-
ming too, is enabled, through the munifcence
}, Of William Penn, to maintain excellent schC
and but outside these two places the State ha
d. an sufficient system of public schools. Yet
ibute old system, with few important changes,
be made good as the best.
Della In the evening the Delta Phi literary soc
dress held its anniversary After prayer and
lily address of welcome from Mr.. Calvin of B
more one of the students, who was Presi
or of of the society.
f. Morris Cloak, of Smyrna, was next il
brief duced, and made thoughtful and able ado
Socie- on the Power of Labor, which gave evid
The of careful research and much sound thoug
eared Rev. Il. Ii. Stevens, of Oxford, one of
May College Alumni was then introduced,
pened made an address on Inda in which countr
legiti- was for ten years a missionary.
The This ended the programme.
le last ---"~"----