The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1876-06-22
MARTIN COLLEGE.
Comforting the Graduating De-
greeS.


inst, by our people, who evinced
by their numbers the growing inter
est taken in the exercises, and man
ifested by their presence and plaud-
its the pleasure it afforded them to
be witnesses Of a series of entertain
ments that crowned the institution
with the surest evidences of success.
The following ladies, seven in all,
composed the
GRADUATING CLASS:
Misses Lizzie (Booker) Mason,
Matte Rivers, Ada Williamson,
Bette Dickerson, Phala Mathews,
Rosabel Dickerson and Fannie L.
Parker. The exercises commenced
and were interspersed throughout
with some Of the choicest selections
of instrumental and vocal music.
The graduating class was seated in
q semi-circle in the center of the
stage, with the teachers and trus-
tees on either side, while Revs
Bishop Wightman, John Mathews,
J. B. Anderson and A. G. Dinwid-
die occupied the right rear-end of
the stage. The exercises were inI-
tiated with a Latin salutatory by
Miss Lizzie Mason, the composition
of that accomplished young lady
herself. It was followed by learn
ed essay by Miss Fannie Parker
upon Success" then one by Miss
Ada Williamson, subject, earth
has no sorrow that Heaven cannot
heal" This was a beautiful disqui
sition upon the efficacy of goodness
in healing the ills of life. Miss
Lizzie Mason followed with "Pur-
suit of subject under difficulties"
elegantly written and Astounding in
sense, sentiment and wit. Miss
Bette Dickerson's subject was
"Beaux,' and it elected frequent
bursts of applause by the many
happy local hits it contained. Miss
Phala Mathews came next-subject,
Lay nos the wreath unfinished by"
It was beautiful conception, blend
ing the real and faneiful, urging to
effort in research after
knowledge, and written elegantly
from a moral standpoint. Miss
Rosabel Dickerson read next an es-
say, choosing as her subject, "Shall
our dreams be realized?' She pic
tured the future os drawn in the
hopes and imaginations of the
young graduates, cautioned against
being over-sanguine, urging to duty,
and picturing a bright destiny to
such as would continue to strive.
The young ladies' essays were fol-
lowed by an
ADDRESS BY BISHOP WIGHTMAN
upon Woman" 1t was a very able
and exceedingly interesting disqui-
sition upon the nature, duty and
destiny of woman, containing sound,
logical, reasonable advice, urging
the young ladies to labor to attain
TO that excellence characteristic of
a noble and pure woman, and to
avoid the frivolities and traiIties
which so much detract from her
other virtues. The Bishops adj
dress was followed by the valedic
tories by Misses Rosabel Dickerson
and Phala Mathews, the first adj
dressed to the citizens Of Pulaski
and the friends of the institution,
and the latter to the pupils, teachers
and trustees of the College. These
were often touching in their tender
references, and, like the other essays
by the young ladies upon the occa-
sion, were characterized by beauty
of conception, an aptitude of ex
preston, an elegance of diction and
a peculiar and fitting style in readi
ton, altogether rendering them en-
tirely ar fat.
After these the ceremony of
CoNFERRING THE DIPLOMAS
upon the young ladies and confer
ring upon them the degree of grad
uate was performed by the Presi-
dent, DR.. R. II. Rivers, after which
he addressed the class in his usual
impressive manner. The occasion
called forth an eloquent and very
feeling address from the Doctor
The solemn words of parting, the
warnings and advice, the tribute tC
their faithfulness in performing
their duties, the congratulations up
on the achievement just cOnsum
mated, the hopeful wishes for thei
future, and the solemn, fervent
powerful invocation of divinity il
their behalf win never be efaceC
from the memory of the young la
dies, while they enlisted the clos
attention of the audience ard lef
some eyes dimmed with tears.
This was a grand and fitting final
to the first session of Martin Col
| lege in its new and splendid edifice
and with such a showing in its in
fancy it gives absolute promise t
| become, what its worthy Presiden
and his able coadjutors are Jealous
Ily laboring with life and limb an
soul and heart to make it, the yer
first institution of its kind in tn
South. Pulaski has made so man
efforts in this direction and failed
/ that she is 10th to believe that any
thing can be accomplished, but her
we have it assured, already upon
firm and lasting basis, and with a
5 energy and a power and a talent bs
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