The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-06-25
Commencement NJ Kandolph Macon
/ IRcported for tkeD Ispatch.j

a S1GOkeHG.
IReportedf for the ispatchJ
AsaDASD. Va, June2l, 1874.
This beautifuL college town puts on mos
genuine holiday airto-day.S Even at an early
hour indications were not wanting that the
village was agog with no unusual excite
ment, and this interest did not flag as the
trains from Washington and Richmond ar
rived with visitors to attend the final cele
| bratons, and the dusty roads around sem
| In delegations from the famous slashes ant
| the less historic sections of the adjacent
country. The single thoroughfare of the
town, the inviting shades OF the college
grounds, and the vine.covered yerazdahs
| and green lawns of the cheerful homes over
| looking the street were thronged, and at IL
O'Clock there was present larger concourse
| than had assembled OIL any literary anniVer
sary at Ashland.
| More than two hundred students are or
| the campus; the full corps OF trustees and
! the faculty are not displeased with the result
of the years work; larger number OF the
alumni and old students are Oh the grounds
than have met at any retuion since 1889
| The trains from either direction arrive with
lfull coaches for Ashland and the Commence.
| ment.
| aATRIcULATEs.
During the session $50 students have at
| tended lectures-a slight increase over the
preceding year; 149 are from Virginia, 81
| from North Carolina, II from Maryland, with
| II other States represented. The average age
of the students is 10 years and IL months-a
high average for an American college.
At IL O'Clock the trustees, faculty, Society
of Alumni, and the literary societies formed
| In line near the hall, under the direction OF
the marshas OF the Franklin Society-B. j.
Bald win, T. II. West, and j. G. Rosser-
and of the Washington Society,". L. kib-
Ter. Thomas Carroll, Jr., and j. II. Gray
and preceded by McCann's First Regiment
Band, marched to the chapel, and filed to the
right and left of the RESTRAIN. Prayer was
offered by Rev. Bishop Doggett, and the ora
tor of the
SOCIETY OF THE ALUMNI,
Hon. W. Nick. Robbins, of North Carolina,
was introduced.
lie announced his Subject, "The perpetual
revolutions in human government, and the
operations Of this principle on Our own syS-
tenn" The address was one OF great power
and eloquence, and deserving Of more
lengthy report than we are able to give,
owing to the pressure Of other matters -pon
our columns. Naturally following Up the
subject the speaker called attention to The
inevitable turning of the wheel, the inherent
revolutionary influences of which Polyb
wrote--the tendencies and ultimate effects
and results OF the new revolutions in Eng
land and America. The Queen is but SYM
boil of power, where no power eXlstS-the
power at last rests with the people. British
phlegm makes the wheel turn slowly, but it
does turn, and the democracy in form will
be established.
He then considered the American situa-
ton, tendencies social and political, and the
future outIook--noting the progress that
had been made towards pure and simple
democracy since 1859. The Demos rules,
and no longer deigns to rule through inter-
medaries. Manhood suffrage now, woman
suffrage soon. What is the end of all this?
Lord Macaulay thought that our political
institutions had never been, and would not
be subjected to supreme test until
the vast western domain was thickly
populated; then would begin the
fierce encounter between the classes.
Already the l,bor strikes Indicate the
uneasness of the situation between labor
and capital. Then the speaker, turning to
the other side of the picture, with great
pathos and eloquence pointed out certain
safeguards unknown TO ancient Republics,
its diffusion Of intelligence, the influence Of
the Bible and Christian religion.
Finally, the grand fact stands out above
all question that we have, and shall con-
tinue to have, on this continent Il great peo-
pie full Of energy and vitality. There is no.
thing effete here. There is fierce conflict Of
opinions, but no decay. Enough Of virtue
and practical vigor will be left TO ree,taDlsh
what may be overthrowD. The inuate
power ard vitality of so noble rsce clnnot
ultimately fail 10 achieve splendid destiny.
The address WAS heard by the crowded
house with unusual attention and profound
qualification. And when motion was offered
to request copy for publication, Rev. &. 7.
Bedsoe, l.. l.. D.. who was OH the rostgitm,
stated that Mr.. Robbins had just promised Il
copy for publication in the Southern Quar-
teriy Rer1ep.
oRAToRICAL CONTEST.
After the Alumni celebration occurred the
contest for the Sutherlin oratorcal medal.
The following contestants appeared, and
each seemed to have many admirers, judy
ing FROM the floral hOnors bestowed upon
them and the applause that followed their
ptllOuS L. h oNCil, vi khIdudlutt,
stDead Past, Living Present, and Imperative
Future"; W. y. Frantz, OF Virginia, " ID ra-
ma; J. T. Moore, of Virginia, Triumph
of Right" l.. l.. Smith, OF North Carolina,
Success or Failure" The successful coz
teStant will not be known until tomorrow.
THE ALUMNI DINNER,
(prepared by Mr.. J. S. Dodson, Of the
Monumental hoteD, at $3.50 O'Clock, was
thoroughly enjoyable occasion. Wit and
humor were not absent, but the prevailing
sentiment was devotion to Alma Mater. In
addition to the members of this Society,
representing graduating classes from 1910
to the present date, who responded to senti-
ments, felicitous addresses were made by
Drs. L.. NJ. Lee, J. E. Edwards, Roszell, of
Maryland, Professor Price, Thomas Branch,
Esq, and others. An annual Alumni din
ner will hereafter be feature Of these re.
unions.
Especial telegram to the Dispatchl
ASHLAND, June q.
FRANKLIN LITERARY SOCIETY.
At az early hour of the evening the chapel
was denselv pacned with q brilliant audience