Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-11-09
ExExCISEs or THE EGATAfEkSi'
DAN SOCIETY.
Eloquence. Genius. and wat Aboun

RxExCISEs or TIRE AGATlfEkSi-
r. DAN SOCIETY.
EIoauence, Genius, and Wst AbOuno'
Nv Invitation of Mr.. Chas. ?. Curd, Cor
responding Secretary of the Agatheridah
Society. we attended last evening the inau-
q1Iral exercises of this BODY, and 70 say our
visit was rendered pleasant only wouid ~
adequately convey the enjoyment OF the oc-
casi0u. Messrs. Hamilton, Chas. 7. Curd
and James Nancy acclaimed, and we are
not fiattering to say their efforts were most
brilliant. We scarcely expected such &C.
clamatory ability as these young gentlemen
seem to possess, and not often is 1t TO be
seen in the oratory OF experienced speakers
themselves. A thorough culture and
the power of fire vocal discernment
rendered their elocution quite eI-
fsctive: emphasis exact and information
the most proper, made their words all DIS
tinct. a feature most admirable In utter
ance, whether to the forensic speaker, the
orator proper or the dramatic actor,
whether in the pulpit or at the bar Ihe
determinations being ended the President
announced that short address would then
be had from MIR. Murphy, a member OF the
". L
uroperly be termed an historic review OF
religious, civil and military oppression as
affecting the well being of people. The
speaker after hastily citing, llusTatlVe oi
this subject, Rome, Germany and fIaNce,
with the direful tyrannies that snattereu
these nations, reviewed the "feudI sys-
5em" which, he thought, at The Tune OF us
introduction and earlier existence, was the
only ope that could adapt Itself 20 tfle
condition and meet the requirements OF an
ignorant people and dependent popuiace;
After viewing its character, history, ana
glsncing at its career, he referred to LOUIS
XVI. as the lime when the people. couiu no
| longer be taught to revere Dloated ana
rich aristocracy, whose expressions mad
wrought such misfOrtunes as caused gen
eral upheavaI and remuneration OF the sys-
| TEN alluded to, and then "dark was the
time when the blood of mcnarchs minged
| with the blood of beggars." Approaching
| the necessity which gave birth to the 1eudAl
! system, the speaker recognized the resuIl )
of its oppressive course and ancroschments
| as a sc0urge which finally descended upon
! aud shattered the nobility. That ms
| tory repeats itself,' was shown IN the late
war that had devasted beautiful
France, carrying ruin to her vine-ciSd Hills
and misery to her people. He also aomon-
| ished the politicians Of their conduct IN op'
pressing the poor, in deluding the unea-
| lishtened masses and in Ou.raging The rig az
of an unsuspecting people. Altogether MI
| surphy's address showed & pJiIsi:al kno"I
edoe of government, its course, the Cause;
cf dacay, and that uOO 80 ccDclSely, Clearly
and erdO, strongly presented, that t2d We
no, seen his youthful appearances, oaG Leao
his snaech as a publication, we should naV'
| .bonght him an experienced persoI and one
yvbo had made poliiic-l economy aud IN
| science of Coyernmeut deep and Iohs
sudg. His address beng con
c,,dad fhe President inSl ed mem
hers Of the Medical College, (seveF'
we're presently to participate in the cratic ex
ercises of the Agatheridan and calls Wer
4 Immediately made for one OF that nunoef
Mr.. Bell who modestly declined, as did ais
Nr. Coleman who promised, however,
compliance in the future with the Glstiil
cuisbed invitation so generously rendered
Mr.. w. B, Mason, an officer OF another hte
rarv society being urged to speak declined
SAYING be saw many literary pearls scA.Sel
ed about in the room, and hoping the
might not he cast before swlBe (lau5ngeF
be gave way TO them. (Appl@use'
Calls were now made for the Eel IN
} President, Mr. P,urket5, who arose, ana |
q manner most graceful, returned 'AaLH
for the honor and confidence the menOeI
! had conferred in having elevated him
such AN official trust aud dignity; while az
| tuated by kind consideration 10
; The well being of the society, ar
Governed by a sense of duty 70 conscle-
, lions discharge of his OFF i Obligations, q
, was not unlware that his Puoic acLS "a
been necessarily N.1l5 To Criticism. Id
, | Ptutka-- r,visWe. le past year Oh me .,
| cie,y. whose increased prosperity, elevate
5 character and successful career he tnousl
4 5s,. bseu due to e~rnest and cJmm3nGao
t efforts of ias members, whom he gave sou
! GOOD advice to concerning their conducJ al
/ | dutv. Touching the records OF the SOc'et
: he said its past history, with all OF us EN-
nept members and glorious ASSOCIATION
8 came as monitors. In this connection be
2 ferred to Bell, Bright, Fielding, Foster, HaV
f lzins- Gordon. Pillow, Winchester aud OF
= ers IF the olden time, members whose lof
= eloouence, stern allegiance 10 duty, aollI
4 and honor were enough to actuate the men
4 hers ~ noble discharge of their dutl
: and claimed the CO operation Of their ma
t hood in perpetuating the organiiza;Io
q After congratulating tbs society IN the ma
l py selection they had made IN MS succe
= s0r whom he esteemed for MS atiaolll5y,
u cisl culture, literary attainments ana
!, NAL, geutlemaDly bearing, Mr. PiunKeb
!, voked blessings upon the members VINO
q he bade adieu. His reln2-ks were chara
? terized by manly spirit of eioquence, al
y those who heard the lofty sentiments
l. gracefully expressed concur in our oplm'
e nat Mr.. Plunket is a young man VINO
e claims to oratory are to be considered mt
e favorsbly, because Of his elegant dlclo
a ease Of delivery and impressive ability.