Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1876-02-29
Communicated.
ROANOKE COLLEGE. VA.
February 24th, 1876.
l SEE.

80 49, = -N'a'f AoaOs }
Editor Of the Bristol Meas
Every College Of any nOtOriety has
It, public entertainments. Among
these are the Literary Sucieties. DC
curing IN the winter season, Us they
usually do, when everything has be-
come mouOtunous their tendency Is
to cheer, pl,a and improve. Such
was the nature of the celebration OF
the Clccrcnian Literary Society of
Roanoke College, which took place
the 22nd inst. The evening was fine,
and II large, intelligent audiences CON
rened ut the appointed hour. Kind
ladies' Cheered the hearts of the young
CiceroeS with their appreCia! ed smiles
aud floral otfrrings. rhe Salem silver
Garnet Band diScGursrd excellent
music. Prayer WAS offered toy Rev. =.
A. R"pass, Principal of the TneOlOgi-
cal seminary, located at this place.
The President. Mr.. q. 5. Lightner,
OF Augusta county, Va WAS greeted
with the smiles Of the audience ~ he
gracefully stepped upon the stage to
deliver most excellent address on
Government" In chaste AMI forci-
bic Language he showed the necessity.
advantages, and blessings of Govern
iAANAaAt anu paul a ElbhliR lllllult ~
the American Republic, which may
proudly challenge comparison with
the most prosperous nations that have
ever existed, The effort was well
received.
Mr.. G.. V. Cavitt of Bryan county,
rexas, chose for his subject, 'phe Re
ligions of the Seasons " His speech
was replete with thoaght clothed In
elegant language, and evinced careful
preparation.
The most attractive feature of the
occason WAS the Debate. Subject
which eXerts the greater influence,
tile Press or Religion ?n
The Affirmative was ably Sustained
Ivy Mr.. j. w. Ownly, OF Paris, Texas.
He soon won the favor and confidence
of the audience by an appeal to the
common ties which bind OpelheT
Texas and Virginia, for, although
widely separated they are still one in
sentiment, aud side by side are strug-
CLING maufully for one common cause.
He then entered upon the discussion
of The question, aud with fervOr o
thought and iiuency Of speech rarely
SURPASSED sci forth the argument in
favor of the influence of tie Press.
Mr.. l.. +, smith, OF Washington |
Co., Tenn, was Introduced AS the |
champion of the Negative, He be-
gan by saying that if he came to
represent any other organization than
the CiceronIan Society and Roanoke |
College, IL was the grand old State OF !
Tennessee. MIR. Smith is an eloquent |
aud impressive speaker. His every |
word and action proclaims the orator. |
For more than half an hour he held I,
his audience spell-honnd v ith logical |
broadsides and well directed thrusts. |
ii would be doing injustice to attempt |
even "A brief analysis of the speeches |
of these two young gentlemen.
Mr.. +. JarIe EFT. of w. Va, was the |
final orator. "rruth" was the theme, |
and Washington. whose watch day |
the Society celebrated, was the hero in |
in whom we see this abstract princi-
pie beautifully embodied
A more attentive audience than was |
assembled on this occasion. could not |
be found, and this, We thii k, WAS to |
b. attributed to the merits OF the sew
eral addresses, all of which showed |
care in their preparation.
BAG.