The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-01-22
Anniversary Celebration Of tho Ee-
,nossherean Society OF Roanoke Col
Iege-Coilexe Iaems- Lewis Centen-


| Anniversary celebration Of tho Ee-
nosshenean Society OF Roanoke Col
lege-Coilege Items Lewis Centen-
NAL Hail.
| Correspondence of the Richmond Nspa'ch.l
SALkM, VA, January 10, 1915.
| purpose giving you brief report Of the
anniversary celebration Of the Demosthenean
| Society of Roanoke College l have just en-
| loved Notwithstanding the repeated exer
cises of this kind to which the Salem people
are treated the audiences are always large
and proverbially attentive. This evening
| was unfavorabie, but, still, the crowd col
| lectcd and filled the large town ball. Some Of
| the young lady Demostheneans Of the town
had aided the young gentlemen In decorating
| the stage with excellent taste. On the wall
| in rear Of the stage hung General Lees pic
ture, surmounted By the word "Dcmos.
thenean" in large letters OF ivy leaves ar
ranged in an arch.
After music by the Salem Silver Cornet
Band, aud PRAYER by Rev. L. q. Nj. Miller,
| of Salem, Mr.. l.. G. Pedigo. of Henry coun-
| ~, president of the Society, delivered chaste
! address on "OblivOn." In closing he made
beautiful allusion to Virginia's dead chief
| tain. whose name and fame oblivion can
never obliterate" This sentiment was re.
crived with applause. A lady presented to
| the Society beautiful wreath, which was
hung under General Lees picture. Mr..
| pedigo rendered the thanks Of the Demos
,heueans, who responded with renewed ap-
| pausc.
Mr. J. ". G. Blackstone, of Accomac
| Courthouse, delivered well-preparcd ora
ton on "Unsung Heroes" This young
gentleman is q speaker OF fine promise.
Next came Mr.. }. w. Groseclose, of Kings
port, Temp. in humorous essay on 1.-THE
| Present Age" during the reading of which
| he vas frequently app!auded. Repeated
oulhursis Of laughter followed each good
po,nt. He IS the " Mark Twain " OF his SO.
| >ie:y.
The discussion Of the question "Should a
system of Compulsory Education be Adopted
! In the United States!' was the most inter-
eS,iry feature OF the entertainment. The
affirmative was ably argued by Mr.. Q. ?.
| Moore, OF salisbury, Tenn, while the mega.
tive found q competent champion in Mr.. G..
| 0. kecdy, OF KeedySyle, Nd. Both OF
these gentlemen manifested thorough prcpa-
ration, and did themselves great credit. ln-
deed, the debate was worthy OF legislative
nails.
Mr. +. Z. Brown, Of Wythe county, as
final orator, treated the audience to beaul.
| fully-written and gracefully delivered address
on the subject "What is Life Without
Honor: "a good theme well banded.
The Salem band enlivened the occasion
with soulstirring music, and the young
ladies rewarded the speakers with floral tr.
butcs. The efforts Of these young gentle
men gave evidence OF careful thought, OF
ease in writing, and excellent opportunities,
welI-improycd for practcing the art ofspeak-
ing. Such performances do credit to any
college and TO any students.
PROSPERITY.
Despite the "hard times" Roanoke has
an Increased number OF students over last
session. This must be encouraging TO the
faculty, especially lis most colleges report a
decrease. ! learn that the number OF stu
dents at Roanoke from the far South IS con-
SANITY increasing. Texas alone has twenty
four young men in attendance.
LEWIS CENTENNIAL HALL.
To accommodate the large library OF
- 0G0 volumes and the cabinet OF minerals
Of over 10000 specimens, as well rs to pro-
vide suitable hail for the public exercises
Of the college, the trustees some months ago
appointed Professor j. ID. Dreher az fnan-
. cial secretary TO raise funds 10 erect large
building for the above purposes. The build
Ing is TO be called Lewis Centennial Hail, in
honor Of General Andrew Lewis, of Viz.
giniq, the hero Of Point Pleasant. His re-
mains, now lying neglected near Salem, Will
be removed TO the new cemetery during this
year The canvass for subscriptions has
been encouraging, considering the times.
Over $4,000 has been given in Roanoke
county, ncary all the subscriptions being in
, sums Of 500 and above that figure. The
trustees expect to lay the cornerstone of the
: new building, with appropriate ceremonies,
, during this centennial year. The college
/ needs the building. The honor to be paid
/. General Lewis is we'll deserved and very APP.
propriate. We wish the trustees the great.
est success in their noble effort.
SCRIPsI.