The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-07-15
The Due West commandments.

the interesting and profitable exercises at Due
West last week. The attractiveness and enjoy
ment of these occasions are so we'll known to
many of our readers that we will not occupy
space in extolling the admirable arrangements
and enlarging upon the many worthy fea-
lures of the programme All that we ever
heard in regard 10 the excellence and variety
of these entertainments was amply realized,
and we were most favorably impressed with
the entire surroundings of these famous educa-
tional institutions.
The commencement exercises of Erskine
College were progressing when we arrived on
Wednesday morning Several orations by the
graduates had been delivered, and among the
number one of Anderson's young men, NJ. B..
Cliukscales, had acquitted himself with credit,
choosing for his subject, "Cromwell in Ameri-
Ca" An interesting debate, (Which form of
government is best adapted to the civilization
of the present age republican or limited mon
archy," was conducted by A. G. Brice and j.
M. Mcneil, of Chester, and was highly credi-
table to the young gentlemen. Messrs r. p.
Patterson, of Louisville, Ga, W. T. Waller,
of Selma, Ala, and J. w. White, of Chester,
S. c., followed in speeches of genuine merit,
after which there was an intermission of two
hours.
The anniversary address was delivered in
the afternoon by Rev. J. G. HideD, of Green
vile, and occupied three quarters of an hour,
during which the speaker held his audience
enraptured by his sparkling wit, efervescing
humor and rare eloquence. Mr.. Hiden selec-
ted as his theme "Symmetrical Education, i"
and considered the hindrances to this desira-
BILE object, which he designated as prejudice,
want Of appreciation as to the nature and fail
ure to understand the true end of education.
He made vigorous onslaughts upon the preten-
sions and errors of the times, and ezcoriated
with free hand the blunders and imperfec-
tions of many persons of reputed literary at
tainments. His speech was amusing and in
structiye, and the conclusion was an earnest
and splendid effort to inspire the youth of our
land with desire for perfection and symmetry
in their education, as means of ennobling
the name of South Carolina, whose greatness
and glory in the past must be emulated by her
sons in the future.
The baccalaureate address of Rev. W. NJ
Grier, D. D., President of Erskine College,
was entirely worthy of the occasion, and i'm
pressed the audience with the fitness of the
man to occupy such an honorable position. He
urged upon the graduates a wise economy of
their time, health and means as the surest
road to happiness and usefulness. DR.. Grier is a
young man, not more than thirty years of age
and is largely endowed by nature with excel
lent gifts, which have been sedulously cultiva-
ted His address was replete with the sound.
est advice to the graduates, and will furnish tc
them an enduring model for their future guild.
ance.
The Alumna Essay on Wednesday night
was the production of Miss Matte G. Boyce
of Due West and we have seldom heard 8
more appropriate theme for the occasion
"Woman's Usefulness" as the aim of woman's
education. Maj. J. K. G. Nance, of New
berry, was announced to deliver the Alumni
Address, but failed to put in an appearance
and the time allotted was occupied by Rev
Mr. McIlwain, of North Carolina, in address
ing the class of 1872, of which he was mem.
ber. At the conclusion of his speech, the au.
dience made vociferous calls upon Rev. Mr.
Hiden to take the rostrum, and his response
was equal to their expectations.
The exercises of the Due West Female Col.
lege began on Thursday morning. Sixteen
young ladies were graduated this year, and
showed their proficiency in well-written essays
on various subjects The compositions were
read by different gentlemen, including Dr.
Grier, Prof. Hood, Prof Weber, of the Will
liamston Female College, Rev. MIR. Hiden and
others. The Salutatory was poetical effusiou
by Miss Katie K. Patton, of Due West, and
was in good taste. 1t was not permitted US To
remain throughout the days exercises, but we
were most favorably impressed with the literary
productions of the young ladies, whose train
ing under President Bonner and his assistants
has been thorough and substantial. We would
like to devote more space to the interesting ex.
ercises of Thursday morning, with its pleasing
instructive incidents and most excellent music
but we must forego the pleasure it would afford
us. We were the recipient of kindly hospi.
tality from President Grier, President Bonner
and others, who exerted themselves to make
strangers and visitors truly welcome to their
annual festivities.
AN EXPLANATION OF THE PARKER CASE
The Columbia correspondent of the Charleston
Neacs and Courier gives the following statement
as embracing the material points in the case