National Republican., 1876-06-02
Interesting Scenes at the Gatherings

The annual commencement exercises of the
law department Of Georgetown University at
Wallis opera house last evening were witnessed
by large and fashionable audience, and the
nOral offerings of the ladies to the galaxy of
young gentlemen about to make their debut upon
the professional stage were rich, rare and beauti-
full The stage decorations were exceedingly
tasteful and effective. From above heavy fes-
toOns Of evergreen and roses hung in graceful
folds, and numerous stands of rare exotics orna-
mented the sides and back of the stage while
over an arched doorway at the back hung the
Werd "law'' in floral letters.
About $50 o'clock, to a march from Faust the
graduates filed upon the stage, and were seated
upon the right, and General Charles E. Hooker,
oil Mississippi, in a few eloquent and appropriate
remarks, introduced the orator Of the evening,
HON. WILLIAM ". WARREN, OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Hr. Warren said he deemed himself peculiarly
fortunate in that he had been given the oppOrtu-
nifty to welcome the young gentlemen of the grad
uating class to the fraternity of the bar. 1t is the
boast of the profession, that while it affords no
jealousies and petty rivalry between its members,
there is on the other hand, always room in il for
all who, in sincere devotion to the law and will
ing endeavOr to excel in its practice, enter the
ranks.
come. The unanimous voice Ofthe bar repeats that
welcome. 1t sympathiZes with you IN every moment
Of labOrs and study which you have already spent
in fitting yoUraelves for your chosen calling; in
all the patient waiting and care and possible pow
erty, which, must not disguise from you, too
often darken the portal of the shrine to which you
bring your homage; in that first triumph which,
as suddenly perhaps as the lightning flash upon
the darkness Of night, will illuminate your path
soarage: anu in Se eyery Succeeding staEs of prol
gress and performance through which you
may reach it may be the highest honors
your profession or your country can bestOw. Yes,
such is the generous welcome which the bar ac-
cores 10 all who enlist in its service that it would
zee, not only without shade Of envy, but with
the highest emotions of delight the new recruit
and wear more laurcls than ever adorned the
brow Of the veteran leader of its cohorts Such is
the spirit which the law instils into the minds Of
ste TotarieS that every lustre which be thrown
around the bench or the bar, by whatever bril-
liBRcY of talent or patience in study, accuracy
=, sought or devotion to duty on the part of any
60 - lG felt by every lawyer, no matter If his
fot he east in the remotest hamlet, or his days
spent in the mos aTneY IS anS persona aS
and as fresh inducemcnt to 'altAfulness and ex-
ertiCn in his work.
The reason for this bond of sympathy whic9
unites the legal profession, and for the general i
absence Of envy and unfriendly competition which
are apt to prevail among men engaged in the
sane calling and pursuit, Mr.. Warren said, was
in the common devotion and naht CO ut'gltenSr 10
The Law itself He thel spoke at length upon the
relation Of the lawyer to the State and In conelu-
sion, said the lawyer must keep his mind un-
clouded by Partisanship, unwarped by prejudice,
not dwarfed by subserviency to local interests,
nor daZed by the vision of our future national
glory. Thus possessed of sufficient knowledge,
and using his knowledge under the guidance of |
and reflection, he will be fitted to keep up
among men a living devotion to a system Of gov
eminent itself the proudest, broadest induction
and wisest craftsmanship.
After another selection by the orchestra, upon
the conclusion of Mr.. Warren's address, the act /
raising Georgetown College to the degree of uni |
VeTsity was read by Bernard T. Hanley, LID.
The comforting Of degrees then took place, the |
following gentlemen receiving diplomas:
Lorenzo A. Bailey, New York: q. F. Benjamin,
New York; James G. Brown, Pennsylvania; VIM.
q. Conway, Maryland; VIM H Dennis, Pennsyi-
vania; Thomas Duke, New York; VIM. A. Ed 4
redge, Wisconsin: George p Fisher, ir., Delaware;
Daniel b. Gallatin, Iowa; J. Ed. Hayden, Cali
forna; c. Z. Lancaster, jr., Maryland; Neal T. 4
Murray, District of Columbia; Thomas Murray,
Missouri: George Paschal, Texas; J. H. Ralston, /
California: John K. Sullivan, New Hampshire; h
Edward J. Thomas, Louisiana; Elkanah n. Wa
tiers. District of Columbia.