The Hillsborough recorder., 1877-06-13

\ filled 10 hear the sermon Of the Rev. DIR.
Deems before the Graduating Class. OF
this sermon, as 1t has been in print for II
number of years. we will venture no
criticism, except 20 regret much careIess-
ness and some impropriety ofexpression,
which should never have found place In
print. But 1t was forcible and im-
pressive discourse, delivered with wonder
ful animation and dramatic effect, and
was well calculated to stimulate very
serious and beneficial thought.
AT s O'Clock the bell summoned the
visitors tothe Chapel, this time 10 heur
some Of tile budding promises Of the uni
versity, the y0ang men selected by the
Societies to represent them by original
speeches. The first speaker was Mr.. L. d,
/ Winston Of Berthe Of the Philanthropic
Society, his subject being "the Union and
The Country" capital speech with sen>
timents 80 broad and national IN would
acquit him of all imputation Of disloyally,
full of such patriotic fsrvor as Was due To
the country as II once was, and us we hope
with Mr.. Winston may again be.
MIR. Alfred ID. Jones Of Wake, Of the
Dislectic Society followed, his sllbject
being "the teacher must he taught; ;lHng-
geste,i by the establishment OF tiie'Nor-
NAL School. Thisspeec b was precocietsly
thoughtful and mature, Astounding in
ideas and suggestions rather 10 be expec-
ted from the Experienced statesman than
the nnsophisticated freshman, ifor such
was Mr.. Jones' and impressed with al
earnestness showing that the speakers
heart sympathlzed with his action. He
received and deserved great applause.
Mr.. John Moore Manning Of Chatham,
from the Philanthropic Society followed,
his subject being Patrick Henry and
full Of this inspiring theme, The speaker
set forth tie characteristics Of yirginia's
wonderful orator In handsome language
and graceful manner
The next speaker, Mr.. Julius johnson
Of Rockingham on the part of the Di, had
for his theme. "ll,ere Is no Utopia here.n
His speech WAS full ofgooa sense, piquant
humor, and merciless sarcasm upon cer-
tain current folliesand callings.
Mr. w. L. Hin of Deplin, from the
Phi spoke on tile subject, "Man has done
nobly; he will do more nobly STILL" his
speech being fine review Of human pro-
gress, with an eloquent anticipation Of
what there Is yet before him to do. This
was capital and sensible speech.
Nj. II. Il. Watkins of Granville. on the
part of the Dis, closed with handsome
sketch of, and euIogy upon. William A.
Graham, the msst complete model for
youthful imitation tint the State has fur
risLed TO his Successors. est t8
AL these speeches were original, all
good, all exceedingly sensible, all free
from soph0nioric weakness, yetsuffieiehtly
ornate TO show that the elements of efiec-
tive style were not overlooked Inthafedo-
cation.
Thursday morning dawned with the
same bright sky, and we say with sorrow
upon the same dusty landscape. :he only
drawback 10 the pleasures OF The occasion.
The crowd from abroad did not materially
Increase. but the influx frunl the surroun-
ding country was unceasing until IL
seemed thai every available space was
filled with vehicles. IL was soon APP
parent that the Chapel would give room
to only portion Of the tlrong and when
~ ..yat,..iy o~aratas., .,..l
preparations were attempted to give boill
those within Hud those without an OPP
portunity TO hear him who was the great
magnet and the stand for Gov. Vance was
erected III The iniddleof the room between
the North aud South doors. When Gov.
Vance arose attention was stretched 10 al.
most q painful tension. But his fine
voice reached many outside. AID al least
tile greater. portion Of The asemblage
heard him without difficulty.
Beginning with one of the most char
ming pieces ofword painting We have ever
heard, picture Of the mountain birth
place and early home OF David l.. Swain.
he proceeded TO give au outline Of the life
OF that wonderful man. beginning life III n
region then W such In The hands ofnature,.
that the subject Of the sketch was woll-l
derihg and terrified witness to the tirst
wheeled vehicle that ever crossed the
Blue Ridge Of North Carolina; and ending
IL, crowned with all the honors his state
had To lavish upon him, his last and l,.s
ling glory being cast upon tl,c University
Or, ught through the force Of his abilities
and Ibis fame from the depthr Of despUn-
dency TO the highest pitch Of State and
national reputation.
The Grafton was master piece Of its
kind |; perfect in all its parts. eloquent 10
description. often -poetical in thought aud
expression, just aud discriminatiye in por.
traying characteristics. full Of incidents
and often relieved with that irresistible
humor. as much the nature of the Speaker