The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1877-07-07
The CapaciOus Auditorium of the
New Building Packed to
its Utmost.
Distinguished Visitors frem Diff
ferent Sections of the State.
a Time Long TO be Remembers
ed.
From Fridays Daily.l


ed auspiciously. The morning was
bright and pleasant. Long before
the hour announced for beginning, the
crowds began to gather and pour in
to the capacious auditorium of the
new building, until il was packed
and damned. The people came from
every direction, and in every conceiv-
able way. There was the well-So-do
farmer and all his family. The mer-
chants and business men forgot
for a time their stores and shops, and
lent the encouragement of their pres
ence In short all the people with
out distinction of race color or previ-
Gus condition, turned out en- masse
to the grandest and most successful
Commencement Day in all the histo-
ny of the University.
Promptly at nine o'clock the Pres
ident invited all the clergymcn pres
ent, the professors, representatives of
the Press, Regents and Alumni, and
and distinguished professional and
business men to seats on the rostrum,
there being more of each of these
classes present than at any time
hither to, thus showing the reawaken-
ed interest and revived prosperity of
the school,
Prayer was then offered by Rev.
Gibbons, rector of the Episcopal
Church at this place, after which
T. NJ. Hood, of Monongalia county,
delivered the Salutatory in the Latin
tongue In few direct and straight
forward sentences he welcomed one
and all. 1t was fine specimen of
sturdy, classic Latin. A prosperous
career to Mr.. Hood in his chosen
profession of medicine.
Then VIM. G. Brown, Jr., of Pres
ton county, gave us an Grafton on
''Thc Evolution and Effects of Liber-
alism.' Mr.. Brown has a good
voice, which filled the large hail.
After defining his subject he enumer-
ated the elements of Liberalism, and
mentioned despotism, illiteracy, and
immortality as its opponents, and Of
ter naming some Of its effects, closed
by giving it prominent place in
coming civilization. Mr.. Browns
effort was exceedingly gratifying to
his many friends.
c. B. Ollie then spoke Of the ''Ele
ments of National Life" He attrib-
uted national successes to the main
tainance of true, moral principles in
national life. Mr.. Dille's Grafton
was one of the best and was highly
spoken of
The "Romance of Science" was
treated of by d. r. Rogers. The ro
nance consisted in the speculations
and theories INDUCED in by the dew
otees of science. as for example, the
Nebular Hypothesis and the Evolu
ton Theory. He Landed those who
traverse these fields as the great lead
ers in this branch of knowledge
Then followed H. J. Sniyely, of
Grafton. His subject was "Losses
and Gains of our Civilization"
He treated it in his usual concise and
logical way. 1t betokened keen
analysis and shrewd power of
generalization, which have given
Mr.. Snively, distinction as deliber-
ate speaker while at school.
John L. Steele, of this place, was
then introduced and spoke on "Sim-
plicity" He traced it, from the very
origination of all things and showed
that it was to be found everywhere in
nature. The composition and liter
airy character, Of the performance
was highly creditable and consider
ing the difficulty of saying any thing
new on such topic, was success.
The Philosophical grafton, on "Po-
sition and Claims of Modern Science"
from a Physical point of view, by E.
C. Smith, of Roane Co., was deliver
ed in his inimitable manner. Mr..
Smith, has surely given delivery the
place assigned it by the greatest ora
tor of antiquity and consequently
he excels in this particular. He
spoke of Science and its gradual
advance to its present commanding
position. 1t was a very instructive
and entertaining speech.
The Philosophical GRAFTON, from a