The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1877-07-07

was NtAAe
cred by Joseph III. Hawthorne, of
Monongalia. Mr.. Hawthorne's object
was to oppose the positive material
ism of Huxley and Spencer. He did
it by denying the competency of that
philosophy to account for the phe
nomena of life and much less of
mind and consciousness. He denied
the uncertainty of the data of psy
coloey, holding that we know mat
ter only as we argue its existence
from certain nervous sensations,
whereas the consciousness of a men
tai state is direct, immediate and
conclusive evidence of its existence.
The Falseness of Materialism" was
the theme, and in justice to this
gentleman's logical powers we are
led to say that he made a far better
case than is usual when the demon
strative oracles of modern science
are attacked. The Grafton was high
~ appreciated by the vast multitude
who listened to it.
The Valedictory of j. S. Stewart
was good production. 1t treated of
the historical development of the
methods of mental culture After
stating the rise of the idea of cduca-
ton and the stages of its growth he
concluded by affirming that this
century derives its eminence from
two causes, first, its learning, and sec
ond, the great diffusion of it among
the masses. His words of farewell
were dignified and manly, earnest
and eloquent, in most things appro-
pirate to the occasion. Though he
comes from q sister State, may he
live to recommend our University to
his people and become an ornament
W tiiC stiubfiNtNS.-
At this point President j. r,
Thompson conferred the degrees and
addressed the graduates in able words
of advisatory counsel After this GER
emony, the audience was dismissed to
meet in the same Hall at one o'clock.
One of the most pleasant features
of the exercises, were the
speeches in the afternoon in behalf
of the University. Governor Math-
ews was most happily introduced by
President Thompson (who always
says the right thing, at the right time,
in the right manner, and in right
words), and was received with warm
applause. His Exccllency spoke
earnestly and with great animation,
making a strong appeal in behalf OF
West Virginia's chief Institution
The Governor spoke kindly of his en-
thusiastic reception by the people OF
Morgantown, and expressed his graf
itude therefor. His advice to the
graduating class was timely and well
said: indeed, the Governors speech
throughout was a fine effort, and in its
making he betrayed thorough ac-
quaintance with the classics, and
gave indisputable evidence of what
he is,-a fine and finished scholar.
1t may not be generally known that
our Chief Executive is a graduate OF
the University of Virginia, having is
sued from its walls in that Institu-
TONS palmiest days. He was grad
uated with all the degrees, a thing
almost unprecedented in the history
of that Institution. We are especially
pleased to be able to state that the
Governor is an enthusiast in the
cause of education, and we feel sure
will do all he can-which is very
much-for the University.
The Hon. Charles James Faulkner
followed the Governor in polished
and animated address. He spoke at
length of the resources Of the State,
and especially of our own county,
and added a good word for our talk
cd-of railroad.
Judge James Brown, of Kanawha
county, was next introduced by
President Thompson, and spoke of
the duty of the State in fostering
the University. Those of our citi-
zens who had sons to send to schools,
should send them to our own Uni
vesity, where they would be trained
by the excellent faculty to be manly
men, not shams, charlataas, nor
mountebanks.
The ''old man eloquent" ex-Sen-
ator Wiley, delivered very short
address, in which he gave the true
defination of State University and
made many valuable suggestion to
the Regents and faculty.
The Hon. Henry S. Walker, always