Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-01-29
Letter from Roanoke College.
SALEM, VA,
Ian 9th. 1876.

Jan. oath, 1876.
Mr.. Editor-Perhaps a few words
from this place may not be uninterest-
ing to your numerous readers. Salem
is situated in the delightful Roanoke
Valley, and here Roanoke College is
located The town has been in futter
of excitement, during the past few weeks,
in anticipation of the seventh Annual
Celebration of the Demosthenean Liter
airy Society, of Roanoke College, which
was held in the Town Hall, on Wednes-
day evening last, the 18th lust, the an
niversary OF Gen. Lees birthday. On
this occasion, the youth aud beauty OF
Salem were present, the ladies bearing
flowers fol the youthful orators. The
exercises were of very high order
much above the level of College per-
formances, and they testified that the
Demosthenean Society is second to
none in Virginia.
The programme consisted OF an adj
dress by the President, Mr.. /. G. Pedl.
go, of Mount Vernon, Va, who had
for his subject "Oblivion. His speech
showed genius in its preparation, and
his style of oratory was most excellent
The first orator, Mr.. J. G. Blackstone,
OF Accomack c. H., Va, followed with
a splendid production entitled "Cnsung
Heroes" The tssayist, Mr.. j. ".
Groseclose, of KingspOrt, Tenn, then
read a humorous composition on the
present Age" Ii evinced the author
to be Of high talent, and thatperchance,
he may be cur future Josh Billings.
His production was received by the au-
dience with continued laughter. The
debate OF question-"Resolved, That
compulsory system Of education should
be adopted in the United States the
chief part of the programme, the athrm-
alive Of which was then maintained by
Mr. o. 2. Moore, of Salisbury, Tenn, IN
a well-written speech, His argument
was strong, and delivered in good style,
The negative was most ably defended
by Mr.. G. o. Keedy, of Washington
county, Md, who, as a clear and logical
debater, has not his equal in Roanoke
College On this occasion, by his well
arrayed and forcible speech, and the
impressive manner in which he spoke,
is conceded to have carried off the vic
tors wreath. lie bids fair to be dis
tinguished IN after years, and to be one
of the few of College boys to be famous
in the struggles Of life, and to do honor
to his lima .Haier.
The final orator, Mr. f. 3. Brown, Of
Black Lick, Va. concluded the exer-
cises with beautiful speech, having as
his subject, "What is life without hon
or" The exercises were interspersed
with music by the Salem band. The
occasion reflected much honor upon the
Demosthenean Society, and also the
thorough discipline ard culture taught
at Roanoke College. May we see many
returns OF the Anniversary
Roanoke College is now in pros
porous and tlourishing condition-more
80 than at any previous time IN It's his
tory-having about $50 students in at
tendance, representing all the Southern
States-Texas alone sending twenty
five. The Curriculum is very high, af-
fording ample instruction, and the adj
vantages Of Roanoke are equal, if not
superior to any CoDegc i'll the South.
The Board Of Trustees are making an
endeayor to collect funds sufficient to
erect an additional binding to be called
the Lewis Centennial Hall, in honor
of Gen. Andrew Lewis, of Revolution
airy fame, and to be used as Library and
Musuem building. The financial agent
Prof J. D. Dreher, is now pushing this
project, and has secured subscriptions
10 the amount of about $4,000 in this
county. lie will visit and solicit sub
scriptions, during the next few months
in Richmond, Lynchburg, Washington,
Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and
Boston. A bright future awaits the
Institution, and under the present able
management it cannot but succeed.
The Register comes regularly to us
and we appreciate its visits as much as
if we met an old friend. 1t is the best
local paper published in the State, and
its columns, ed with home news,
keep the former resident of Shepherds
town posted in regard to al! the enter
prises and changes of the old place. We
wish YOU, Mr.. Editor, abundant sue
cess LOTHAIR