The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-06-19
lIorgantOvn commencement.

among whom was a large number OF
Young ladies, each carrying a bouquet.
On the platform were the Regents, the
members Of the Faculty, the graduating
class, and number Of distinguished Wis.
itOrs.
The exercises were opened by the read
ing of the Scriptures and prayer by the
President. After music by the Morgan.
town band, the literary exercises Of the
day were opened by Mr.. A. L. Purinton,
Of Morgantown, who did credit to that
ancient abomination, the Latin saluta.
tory. Boiled down into English, the ad-
dress informed the people that lntelli-
genCe was a good thing and prime con-
dition Of genuine happiness. Thespeak:
er attempted to impress his un.Latiniled
hearers by q profusiOn Of somewhat
graceful but quite inappropriate gestures.
To people who have heard sChoolboy
speeches in Latin before such perform.
Gnces appear less wonderful than to the
uninitiatGd,
The second speaker was son Of Presi.
dent Martin, who began his version of
the phrase "Moving On" without any pre-.
liminary salutation to the audience, A
few days since this young gentleman re-
ceived the Regents prize for the highest
excellence in English composition.
The third speaker was Samuel $,
Adams, Of Washington, D. q, lie in.
dulged for six minutes In speCulations
upon the mundane destiny Of the human
race, and found the limit Of progress in
universal religion formulated in the
English Language. This production was
considered the finest effort Of tho day,
Mr.. +. A. Gilden, Of New Orleans, who
was announced to speak on the Naviga.
ton Of the Mississippi was, "for good
reasons" excused.
Next followed the historical oration
by Mr.. Il, II. Dolliver, Of MOnongalia
county, Ills theme was the moral Gle.
ment In the American government, The
speaker seemed TO bo quite convinced
that as a nation We were going to the dogs
aud that only return to morality could
save our liberties. This speakers style
was quite unObjeCtionable, but he failed
Of producing the proper effect owing to the
high key in which he pitched his voice.
Tho Philosophical Grafton was deliv.
cred by Mr.. J. ?. Dolliver, younger
brother OF the lust speaker. He philOso.
phi2ed on the origin OF class distinctions
and found in them nothing but tho work
Of the Devil, inasmuch rs they were the
prime cause Of every calamity that has
Overtaken the nations.
The ValediCtOry was pronounced by MIR.
J,J. Peterson, Of Lewis county. In matter
and manner, It did not differ essentially
from the general run Of such speeches.
Appropriate regrets ut parting from the
Faculty, from the good people Of Morgan
town there several young ladies display.
cd their cumbric) and from his fellow
students, were expressed
After the valedIctory, came the confer.
ring Of the degree Of A. b. upon six Of
the graduating class, and the degree OF
B. s. upon the remaining members Of the
class. The degree Of A. NJ. was confer
red, IN course, upon the Class Of ".
This year the Univerrity conferred for
the frat time he honorary degree OF Ph.
D. The fortunate recipient was Mr.. Wm.
Ferrell, now Of the y. =. Coast Survey,
but formerly OF West Virginia.
After the degrees had been announced
the Glass Of rs through It's vNlcdictorian,
presented to the University portrait Of
Capt. Pierce, handsomely framed, to be
hung up in the Art Gallery Of the lnsti.
tuition.
The most interesting feature Of the ex.
ercises was yet to come. By an order OF
the War Department, Capt. Hi. Pierce
Of the Regular Army, who under detail
has acted for six years as Professor Of
Mathematics and Instructor in Military
Tactics to the University, has been re-
elected to active service Ia soon to leave
for Fort Wallnwalla, In Washington
Territory. .
As token Of their high esteem Of
his professional and personal character,
the students ofthe University had with
tho greatest secrecy purchased an
exquisitely handsome sword and
trappings. This was now pro-.
duced and presented to Captain
Pierce by Col. D. D. johnson, in n
neat speech. The Captain was taken
completely by surprise. We warrant that
he never turned so pale In the presence Of
the embattlcd hosts OF General Lee. But
recovering quickly he expressed III words
which brought tears to many an eye, his
appreciation Of the sword and more par
ticularly Of the feeling which prompted
It's presentation.
The audience was then dismissed with
the benedlction, which was pronounced
by Dr.. Scott, Vice. President Of the Uni
versity.
OF the literary performances Of the
graduating class II remains to Say that
they we're marked by confident discus
sion Of topics which the wiSest and most
experienced men touch with heSiLancy
and caution. But this is Il fault which
IL not peculiar to the graduates Of the
West Virginia University.
Ono very marked defect was the mis-.
pronunciation Of words. Not one OF the
speakers, except perhaps Mr.. Peterson,
was free from this fault. This probably
arose from the want Of early training,
but the University should aim above all
things to correctit.
Asa whole, wC think It safe TO say that,
apart from a certain lack Of polish In
composition and delivery, the commence
ment orations would compare fAvorably
with tho average Of such performances
In the most Of American colleges.
The average age Of the graduating
class Il twenly.one years. OF its mem.
bers two are teachers, two propose 10
study law, one Is a disciple Of Hsc6lapiuS,
one proposes TO become civil engineer,
and one attaches himself TO the great
world Of business. N.
THERE il an issue Of considerable i'm.