The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-06-24
Randolph. Macon CoIiege-Commence.
ment Exercises.
iReported for the Dispatch.1

rnent Exercises.
fReported Tor the Dispatch.1
ASHLAND, VA, June %, 1875.
Every year adds attractions to this pleasant
village. A glance along the single high way
discloses the improvements of the past twelve
months. New buildings have been erected
and certain old ones have been furnished up.
There are more grass plots, cooIish balconies,
and inviting cottages. These things please
the man of aesthetic tendencies; but TO man
of fair digestion few things meet with more
favor than q comfortable inn. That hotel,
so long necessity, has been completed in.
wardly and outwardly, and seems to be as
comfortable in its appointments as one should
desire. and capscous enough for any occasion
less than n commencement.
NO ANTIQUITIES.
Despite the absence of those coveted ac-
ccssorics of colleges found in other coun-
tries, and in several instances IN America,
the gray stones Z" strewn with the hoar Of
antique and classic pedantry," there are pre-
sent in the surroundings ample suggestions
OF the fitness of the locality for the home of
college, though just now the lawn, alive
with more than two hundred student5-or
students ci.deo0nt- does not suggest very
late oil, quiet or patient study.
LID SLhSnEo'
1t will not be too great diversion, in
these days Of revived and leryid patriotism,
TO allude to the fact that the birthplace OF
Henry Clay-deserted and overgrOwn with
brcrs ADD perkish pInes-is only a few miles
distant from the college. WHIT effect has
been produced upon the patriotism of the
young co!leglans by tie propinQuty to this
historic spot is not matter Of easy analysis.
And now | return to
NY TEXT,
and will stick thereto throughout. The
town and college are Of course absorbed
with preparations for the commencement,
and though each successive year brings
around very nearly the same programme, 1t
does not appear that citizen or stranger
grows weary Of the iteration-the leading
actors in the draml come on in new genera.
tions, and so rapidly that there is, in fact,
given TO every anniversary something novel,
fresh, and Inspiring.
The BOARD OF TRUSTEES,
Mr.. Thomas Branch, of Richmond, pre-
| siding, met yesterday, and are again in ses-
| sion to-day. The reports of the faculty and
financial secretary (Rev. a. G. Bro WY were
presented. While comparatively little has
been accomplished in securing permanent
eudowm fund, the success of the college
| during the past year has been remarkable,
us will appear from
| THE FIGURES.
There we're present during the session the
Jortieth, according to the printed catalogue,
though the first session closed vmOre than
! forty years ago) 2I5 Studcnts-froln the two
FirginiaS, 145; North Carolina, %; Mary
| Ianu, 30; with representatives from all other
southern States, New York. aud Pcnnsrlyu
MIA. Students in the several schools: Latin,
1j5; Greek, 1l3; Mathematics, $50; Nalu
raj Science and Chemistry, 81; German, 40;
! Biblical Literature, Il, and English, 1GS
The very large NUMBER attending the school
Of English marks the importance attached
by the college TO this study, and directly the
results Of the close analysis of the mother
tongue in the ecfure-room appear in the
pure and elegant English Of the essays ana
addresses Of the students.
THE ALUMNI ADDRESS
will be delivered Tomorrow at the hour ap.
pointed for the address before the literary
societies.
OPENING EXERCISES.
At11 O'Clock the trustees, faculty, literary
societies, and Society of Alumni formed in
line on the campus under the marshals Sc
| lectcd ny the societies (NeSsrS. Ii. W. Lilly.
! North Carolina w. +. Cnri.tinn, Virginia;
FL. A. Soutu,ll, Virginia.; J. II. Clarke, Mis-
sissippi; j. Il. Dickinson, Texas; and j. w.
Kelam, Firypia,) and, preceded by the
| First Regiment band, Of Richmond, marched
to the college chlpcl. After prayer by Rev.
| DR.. Rogers, OF Baltimore, the contestants for
the
sUTHERLIS oRAToRIcAL MEDAL
were seycrally introduced by Rev. DR.. Dun
can. president OF the college.
No incident Of the final celebration creates
so lively an interest as this annual compel.
ton among the best writers and speakers Of
the college. append the names Of the speak
ers and subjects Of their di>courseS: w. W.
Lear, OF Virginia, LET us Advance; j. b.
McCabe, Virginia. "rbe Two Americas;
J. B. Wardlaw. Jr., Georgia, " Inspiration oil
Cause; W. w. Roval, Virginia, Secret
of Success; j. l.. k,bIer, Virginia, He
Can Conquer who Believes he Can"
These addresses indicated, without eXcep-
ton, careful and patient preparation, and
though the name OF the successful competi.
tor ill not be announced until tomorrow,
there seems to bea general belief that Georgia
will carry of the coveted prize in this days
contest. Your reporter never heard on any
similar occasion more obaSte and finished
address than that delivered by MIR. Wardiaw.
THE ANNUAL SOCIAL REUNION
| of the Society Of Alumni was held in the
| Ashland Hotel. At 5 o'clock large num-
Der OF the Society, representing classes from
| 1914 to 1875, Were seated at abundantly -'up-
piied tables. Rev. w. ii. Christian presided
| Few relations of the old sons Of the college
were more enjoyed. The single regret was
that every alumnuS was not present.
Celebration of the Washington Lite
rary SOcIeIy.
Especial telegram to the Dispatch.l
ASHLAND, Va, June 23.-An immense au-
dience was in attendance this evening at the
final celebration of The Washington Literary
Society. The lawn'apd chapel were taste
fully and eaborately decorated. After the
usual opening exercises the honorary Presi-
dent, Captain j. S. Chamberlayne, of Nor.
folk, Va, took the chair, and delivered an
address that awakened the deepest interest,
its boldness and originality of treatment
nroyoking much comment. The theme was
"Public Spirit"
After indicating the essence Of public
spirit and the conditions OF its GROWTH, the
sneaker insisted that knowledge was neces-
sary to its existence. Public spirit as seen
IN the history of Virginia was vigorous,
pow erfuI. and famous in the colony OF the
Old Dominion and the war of independence.
Il died away about 1925. BY q brief histori-
cal sketch of Virginia be showed this fact
touching it's material development and men-
tal progress. The results of the decay OF
public spirit from 1925 to 1870 Indicted the