The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-06-14
EaMpDEN Sydney COLLEGE.
ExERcisEs OF THE FINAL DAY-ADDREss-
rs of THE GRADUATING CLAss-.IHE
j ADDRESS OF HON. ROGER A. fhloH.
especial Correspondence of the pispasch.l

rS OF THE GRADUATING SLASo-ih
J ADDRESS OF HON ROGER A. PRYOR.
rspcc,aI Correspondence of the DispaschI
JuEE II, 1879.
This the final day Of the interesting cele-
bratiou of the occasion, and the Commence
nent-day proper, was one Of much interest
and pleasure to the friends Of the College.
The exercises begun at II A. NJ. in the
College church. The President introduced
Rev. William U. Murkland, who offered
prayer, and then seVerally the members of
THE GRADUATING CLASSES DELIVERED THEIR
ADDRESSES.
The Latin salutatory was pronounced by
MIR. Franklin Vansant, of Attleboro', Penn
sylvania. and, SO fur as your reporter, how
rather rusty in the language-was able to
Judge, was a very creditable performance,
and il was we'll delivered. The European
pronunciation Is, however, very perpleXinS
to those who learned Ruddiman's Gram
mar in the old-held schools of Virginia
good many years ago. dude IL oWda,
Pdulun, is PowlOom, n,ultts is mooltis, pre-
hum is preerleoom, as near as it can be rem.
dered by our spelling.
Mr.. William A. Wade, Of Christiansburg,
Va, delivered the next address. Subject:
" Progress" He traced the advance of
science. liberty, and Christianity, and re-
ferred to the excellence Of ancient eloquence,
poetry, and art, the works Of genius, in re-
spect to which we look back for models to
the past.
Mr.. Walter K. Coppedge, of Bedford
county, Va, chose for his theme "Thc Land
We Love-" He alluded to the glories of the
past and TO the advantages which render
;al oil 70
productive Soil, majestic rivers. beautiful
scenery, and social, Intellectual, and moral
resources showed that by industry,
perseverance,, and integrity our State may
be carried forward to high prosperity and
happiness, and be defended from the influence
of education, manner, and sentiments which
may he imported among us. BY proper
use of our talents aud opportunities, govern
mcnts utter our own models may be estab-
lished. We must shake of dull sloth and
avoid selfish desire of wealth and vain ambi-
ton. Each one should seek that sphere
where he may do most good, though it be
at the anvil or the plough.
Mr.. G.. w. Dabney, of Hampden Sydney,
spoke on " A Distinctive Literature Vital to
the South.D He alluded to the corruption
in high places, and the licentious and in6del
tendencies of much of the literature which
seeks circulation, and the consequent impor-
lance of literature peculiarly our own, and
contended that our history aud institutions
afforded themes worthy Of pcrpetuatlon.
Our country was once a little world of itself,
where the laboring class was happy, the next
grade OF society distinguished for industry
and moral worth. and the highest class re.
markable for genius, purity, liberallty, and
chivaIry; in their homes at once patrlarcha!
and cultivated, exalted III action. noble IN
thought, and beautiful i'll sentiment. IT such
literature were not introduced our present
gloom would be the pc I.tnGra of our future
condition. The tnanimity and unfalter-
ing convictions and devotion of our people
in their recent trials should be cummcmu-
rated, and the names and influence Of good
men handed down as examples and de-
fence against vice and corruption. If ever
the green spring-time is to come again to Ills,
men of genius and talent must exert their
powers and bring their offerings for the COM
mon welfare
Dir. Samuel W. Morton, of Charlotte,
Va, was the next speaker; his subject,
"Ihouehts on History; in which ne said
we should ask, Whether we are the first of
the human race, and shall be succeeded by
another generation? He cited instructive
ers i'm the path OF right, and closed his adj
dress with very handsome and well-sus-
timed description of the youth represented |
in poetry on whose banner was written
Excelsior"
The valedictory, by Mr.. James Y. Brooke, !
DR., of Warreuton, was then delivered.
The speeches of the graduates were re-
ceived with much cOmmendation and plea. |
sure by the audience and we'll deserved
words Of encouragement from their friends. |
President Atkinson, in few atfcCtiOnate |
words, then delivered diplomas to these gen |
tlemcn, and also to Mr.. William B. Nell |
waDc, of Petersburg, Virginia, whose ex-
animation had been delayed by absence from |
college. Messrs. Brooke and Wade obtained |
the first honor and Mr.. Vansant the second. |
DR.. NJ. D. Hoge, as President pro tenn. of
the Alumni Association, then took the chair |
and introduced Hon. r. A. Pryor, "at pre-
sent Of New York, but of Virginia ai,cdys,"
bis introduction with pleasant |
remarks on the pleasures and advantages of
a reunion of Alumni on these occasions, and |
their duty to return occasionally to their |
Alma Mater.
GENERAL PRYoR's ADDRESS.
General Pryor's theme was The Re-
iigious and the Secular Culture" Reading |
men will receive it with delight. In felicity |
of expression, learning, argument, and elo-
quence il is admirable, and as defence |
of Christianity against poSitivism and the in
tidel science of the day in general it will be
welcome to the lovers of truth everywhere.
The impression produced upon the audi
ence ut Hampden Sydney was shown by the
fixed attention and deep feeling of those
who saw, as the speaker advanced, the
power that lay in bis logic and his facts to |
defend the doctrines which are so intimately |
associated with all our most cherished hopes |
and consultations.
At the close OF the exercises DR.. Akin
son ANNOUNCED that the College will be re.
opened on the 4th of September.
The Board of Trustees at their meeting
to-day cvnftrred the title of A, M on
Thomas Stamps, of Lancaster. S. c., u
former student, who has complied with the
course necessary to gain the title-viz., two
wears of liberal study since he left the school
and an approved thesis. The degree OF A.
B. was conferred on MIR. w. b. McIlwaine.
of Petersburg, who is added to the list of
graduates to-day.
The Executive Committee on the endow-
mcnt of 100000 presented plan for an
elders and deacons' meeting i'll this import
ant interest, to be held in the city of Rich
mond in October next, and the plan was
cordially approved by the Board, and the
requested to make arrangements
for such meeting.
DR.. Hoge cordially extended an invitation
to the elders and deacons of the State and
guaranteed their hospitable entertainment.
The Alumni Association held meeting |
to-day, in which they took initiatory steps to
ro;sa ,nonav to enlow nm Alumni professor