The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-06-29
Tho WashinStOn-Lce University Com
nencement Day.
[ Reported for The Dispatch.

The exercises Of commencement day
proper began to-day at 10 O'Clock. A very
large audience was in attendance, and
greeted the young men with rounds OF ap,
plause rs they came forward and received
their diplomas. The names have already
been forwarded you. After comforting the
degrees, ii. B. Ferguson, Of Alabama, read
the Cincinnati Grafton, individually oil
the Saxon" This is prize conferred for
essays written by the graduates during the
year. This was a finished production, and
elected much applause. Mr. Frank Fields,
of Missouri, delivered the Ialcdictory adj
dress with much ability and earnestncss.
| Following this was the inimitabIe address
of DIR. W. f. Munsey. His theme was
" Beauty: Ideal and Real" For more than
two hours he held bis audience spcllbound
under the witchery of his cloqucncc.
THE ALUMNI DINNER
at A o'clock p. NJ. ut the College Hotel,
under charge of Captain Walter Bowie, was
a magnificent affair President W. ~ An
| dprson in the chair. After prayer by Key.
MIR. Chandler, the President made the gratl-
fyinn announcement that our Alma Mailer
expected every mn to do his duty. After
discussing fully the elaborate meal, came
the wine and toa>ts:
First toast--Alhna Mater: The Anglo
Saxon tongue will never cease 10 sound III
| loving accents the cherished name OF the
| College of Washington aud tie University
| of Lee.
| w. 5. Graves. of Richmond city, respond
| ed in very happy manner: could not keep
| uuliet on such an occasion and when S'cl y
sentiment thrilled bis heart. Let the tongue
| of Il sou uniaithtu to such mother be PAL
| sled aud his name perish. She looks Win
confidence to the sons she has raised to per-
peiuatc her fame.
| Second The Board Of Trustees: Wise
and liberal in the government OF the Uni
yersity earnest. laborious and faithful IN
| their efforts to advance its interests they
| have earned, and they possess, the comb
dencc of the Alumni.
TO respond to this toast the President
would call on the youngest, if not the best
looking member Of the Board, Colonel VIII
liam Allen, of Baltimore.
Colonel Allen acknowledged the courtesy,
and ayowed his devotion 10 the University.
In concluding he called out Colonel Poasue,
of the Trustees. Is both the youngest and
best looking member.
Colonel Poaguc could hut rejoice in the
confidence manifested in the Board. They
have encountered obstaccS-many yet be-
fore them. Yet supported by the friends OF
TIE University, will never think OF taking
backward step, but the course OF the lnSti-
tntlou will he onward and upward by Gods
help. They were Just beginning 10 see
great and glorious results Of the plans NATL
"l,rated. If true to ourselves, to the memo
ries o.! the past, the University shall never
CEASE TO prosper.
Third ucully Of Washington and Lee
University: Faithful and true to u ~ stu
dents, they will ever be cherished ana FAITH
ful friends by the alumni.
Colonel Johnston responded NO longer
his Jpcht but pleasure to respond 30 such
sentiment. But in ccaSirg to be member
of the faculty be has not ceased co feel the
deepest interest and sympathy in the Unirer-
sity. Had in his heart the same devotion> 10
its interests hat characterZeS It's present able
board of Instruction.
Inconcluding, Colonel Johnston called out
the iuimitable J. K. Tucker, who II :! most
remarkable speech entertained the a5>0cla-
ton for half an hour. The toast dran.t
while ago, to the memory OF Lee, touched
every heart. III ever tempted to be untrue
TO the University, the recollection OF the
conduct of This hero would prevent. When
lie speaker thought Of how he was borne
down by northern horllcS, yet not despair
iag, retired to this secluded spot, and here
in The halls Of this University eutrenched,
devoted himself to the one work OF rearing
an institution to bear his name and the I'M
press of his genius, and dying left this rs
his monument. how could he ever prove I'M
faithful to its interests: (. Never, 80 long rs
lite should endure. should lie cease to honor
and support the College OF Washington and
University Of Lee.
Fourth-Tae Neao1y Of Robert Ed,cdrd
Lee: In silence. The band playing the air
Aud Lang Sync.7
f'lth-The Sister Universities T the
SoMh: Representing the largest culture and
hghc aspirations OF the southern people
| they should move and shine together like
| the spheres.
C. d. Fishburne, of Charlottesville, if
allowed to speak for the University of Nir-
| gini., would say she extends the hand of
| friendship, furnished with no hesitancy, but
greets Washington and Lee as 4 sister, homo
r.ble and true.
| SiXth-The Virginia Military Institute !:
The great polytechnic school of the South
| May its beneticcnt influence 20 OIL increasing,
and its sons be in the future, as in the past,
true to their country, themselves, and their
noble Alma Mater.
| Major J. b. Dorman, graduate of both in.
situations, was called on to respond, which
he did in most happy style, claiming that
the two laborcd not simply side by side, but
hand in hand in building up the fallen for
tunes of the loved South. Their SympAthies
and their interests are one. Let Washington
and Lee remember that tremendous blow
which fell upon Us and robbed the country
of its greatest hero, and this University its
head; that when looking for successor to
carry on the work Lee had so successfully iu-
augurated he was found in the halls of the
Virginia Military Institute in the person OF
Gusts Lee!
Seventh-The Great South: J. II. Nc
Leary, of Texas.
Eighth Woman: In the words of our
distinguished orator, ''Her voice is the
sweetest note in the universal music Of Nil.
ture." General Lilly responded.
Many other toaSts were offered, and good
cheer reigned until late hour, when the
President, in the chair, pronounced the en-
ercises closed. 49,
Mt Il0llins Institute.
g.