The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-14
o: the same
Mr. Peter Cooper was present al the commencement
exercises and occupIed scat on the Etage.


ROANOhE COLLEGE, VIRGINIA.
COMMENCEMENT OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Observation-Disclosures OF A NEW PREsI~
pgSr-A FLoURIsHISo SCHOOL.
SALgM June IL, 1877.
ON ono sidc OF Salem rise tho spurs OF the Blue
Ridge on the other those Of the Allegheny. whilo
through the narrow valley flows the Roanoke River,
name forever DO associated with that brilliant wit
and statesman John Randolph, OF Roanoke. I
40 not wonder that this charming valley is called the
"Garion spot OF tho Old Dominion. have nowhere
else more beautiful, unless II DO tho
Wyoming. in Pennsylvania Certainly the Roanoke is
the Ones, the south This country Is the abode Of
health and plenty. wthna radius of thirty mics Of
Salem are noted watering places and tho town
itself is generally aed with visitors during the
mcr months.
In this beautiful town. Graded In the mountains and
noted for the high moral character and sterling worth
OF Intelligent population. Is located Roanoke COL
ege chartered In 1853, ana now tho fourth nstitu-
ton In Virginia point OF attendance OF students.
It had already attained lair degree OF prosperity
whom tho unfortunate civil war came, with its attend
ant Interruptions and desolatiops Yet the halls and
lecture rooms OF Roanoke, owing to It's location,
open TO students throughout the war; beng the only
Virginia college that did suspend its exercises
during that period
TUE INSTITUTION.
Since the tho growth Of this now famous insti-
tuition has been remarkable. During tho past SIX
years. while other Southern colleges have been de-
crcasing, Roanoke has gradually advanced from tho
seventh 10 the fourth place among the ten nalc col.
Iegcs and universities tho state rho last catalogue
Attendance Of III students from fifteen ststcs.
tho Indian Territory and Mexico. rhe eight Choctaw
students attendance little interest among
the citizens aud visitors These Indians supported
by the Choctaw and are sont Hero through
tho influence OF Mr. j. Is. Jackson, Choctaw, who
spent three sessions at Roanoke the war, and
who OF the Senators IN tho Cnoctaw Iegis-
lature. Next to Old Dominion In attendance OF stu
dents comes tho New Dominion OF Texas. which has
enrolled thirty during this session. The graduates and
former students OF tho college are scattered over
twcnty states.
the course Of study IS quite comprehensive; the
literary societies. which have beautifully furnished
halls, rank second to mono In The state; reading
room is well supplied with papers anu magazines
Tho college also owns large collection OF minerals
and curioses, for which building Is BADLY needed.
Indeed, lind here, as elsewhere in the SOUTH that
although the colleges arc dong great work on small
capital they arc greatly In need OF funds To enlarge
buildings and increase their general facilities and
vantages
The college buildings consist o. three brick edncci
OF three stories each These arc divided into lecture
rooms, society halls. chapel, dorm,tories. &c The
grounds are hncs tho State. Tho trccs, mostly
set out In imitation OF nature Afford most inviting
shade. white the rich grass covering tho campus as
carpet Of green, woos tho passcr by from the warm
summer suns 10 the coolest OF m,d-day repose Tho
walks are covered with ccdars.
PRIMARY CONTEST.
As Roanoke College Is connected with the state In
tercollesae Association oil Vsinin, the hrst exercise
l was called to witness tho primary contest, on
saturday night to decide what young Cicero should
reprcsou, the college IN the state contest IN the CITY OF
and s. IL James, OF Louisiana. were the contestants
Tue former spoke on progressive Evolution md
the latter took his text from Burns a Mans Nm
Tor ~ That" Both speakers gave evidence OF cohs.i-
cradle oraorca talent. Tho i've Judges decided that
champion OF hts alma mater the state contest This
young gentlemen received the gold medal IN oratory
TIE pAccALAuREArg
The bnccanurcalc sermon was delivered TO a large
aud approciativc audience on Sunday morning, 10th
inst, by Rev William I. Hall n D. OF Lynchburg,
who found an appropriate theme IN tho Temptation
Matthews IN the DEVELOPMENT Of his sublec. be m..
pressed upon the youns ucn tho thought that thsss
Same temptations are offered 70 MI mankind and mat
denial aud conservation to duty. Tina eoqnsnt dis.
course PROFOUNDLY thoushi SD suggestive. II
was heard With tho utmost attention and produced
marked Impression Tor good.
The annual address before tho, Young Mems Chris.
tian Association OF tho College was pronounced BY
Professor s. A. Rcpass H. d., OF Salem.
ORAToRicAL CONTEST
The contest for the Sigma Gu, Medal In oratory
took place Ia tho Town Hail last night, tho hail beng
crowded ovcrilowlne. Prayer offered by Bishop
appeared in the following ordsr:-c. Il. Rob.
inson, OF Mississippi subject. "Aiaddns Lamp"
trc;n G. y Yoncc, Of Virginia, subject 'rhe Retro.
spect;" :. H. james, Of Louisiana subject, Some
ns o. or "ps Of The
L. g. Dear, OF Virginia, subject, Heat is Lie aud
Cold Death" The iudEe.mwn, Mscausy, aoo
Moorman ana Colonel W. r. Northumberland IN
favor OF Mr.. smi,h, which announcements was re.
medal gracefully presented by L. Z. Hansbrough,
A. B OF salem Each OF The speakers received many
floral offerings from fair friends
noN cLAKKsoS POTTER.
After tho presentation oil the medal, Professor Julius
r.csvoa rom Mrs Pos.e announcing ha. IN conss
quencc Of Nh accident her husband, Hon. Clarkson NJ
Potter, OF Now York. would not be abio 10 deliver
the annual address before Tho literary societies this
(TuesdHyl evening.
The college grounds and society halls were illumn
ated last night ana, after tho exercises OF tho contest
long lines oi people wcndcd their way to tho airy-ks
scene whcro the gsyiy coiorcd lanterns presented
striking contrast TO the sombrc hue OF the ovcrhang
Ing trees Music sent Its soft strains ON tho night arr
adown the long cedar avenues, and tho gay youns
couplcs promcnading In tho dim religious light
among the trees doubtless quito naturally fulfilled tho
commandment To "lovo ono another, +" and confirmed
the asscr ion that tout OF the abundance of the heart
tho mouth spcakcth
INAUGURATION or THE PRESIDENT.
Al the conclusion Of tho vaicdictory address Row.
Professor s. A. Kcpass d., ON the part OF tho Board
OF the President ELECT. Rev r. W. Dosh, d. d., would
now take place The letters giving notice Of the ccc-
ton aud the acceptance we're then read Rev. Profess
Rcpass said II gave him great pleasure 20 act rs
the represent OF tnctrusccs In tho ceremony OF
inducing the rrosdentcc into Office. Aitor few
pertinent remarks he concluded by introducing DR.
Dosh to tho audience the President OF Roanoke
college. la earnest address the new President de-
uncd MS fueWs Of tnc uusco ocvofNink uV0s we0 nwo
those who with him were TO watch over The develop.
m-nt OF the institution and Indicated hts iu purpose
to do hts part therein and his hrm expectation OF
hearty cooperation from those associated With him 10
tho noble work.
Degrees were then conferred by tho President
The degree Of LII. D. conferred on James O. Southail
Richmond, Va; Ph ID. on Professor W. Douthat,
Missouri A. ~ on the graduates OF 1872, Professor j.
7. crabircc, OF Roanoke College, Professor n.
NJ. H.rgrove, Carolina Military lnsti.utc; u.
Is Floyd and J. s. Mottcr, Mary land |;
G. c. Campbell, Mississippi; William =. Craig.
g. W. Koner, j. W. stephenson and j. L. Glcavcs,
Virginia, and A. h. on the graduates this year
4. Al..daI Mar ahuslc