The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-06-30

outgrowth OF, first, constitutional liberty,
then popular education, and finally of
public virtue. These conclusions he en-
forced by reason and historical compari-
son. He stated, in o mastery way, the
effects, both physical and intellectual, of
the principles OF liberal opinion on this
age, and closed with perorstIon, which
for ruggedness of diction and force of de-
livery is seldom equalled. Mr.. Brown
will devote himself to the law.
o. B. Ollie, of Morgsntown, was the
next orator. Subject-"Elements Of
National Life" The gentleman began
by saying that the world has in 1t the
ruins of great civilizations. In the
East, on the Nile and Euphrates; in the
West, in Peru and Mexico and Yuca.
tan. He then stated the elements COM
posing the civilization of this country.
Foremost among these, as parts OF our
national life he named and enforced the
clsmes OF the Christian Religion. The
tone of the speech was elevated and its
delivery commendsble. Mr.. Ollie also
enters the legal profession.
d. r. Rogers, OF Morgsutown was the
four h peaker. His subject, Romance
Of Science" was handled with skill and
ability. He declared that pure philoso-
phicsl speculations are the ground of 9
conflict between Religion and Science.
That they are unobjectionsble as theories
but dangerous when they assume TO 10
real science instead of ideal hypothesis.
The mission of science is to throw lignt
on Nature, to denmark between the known
and the unknown, the false and the true,
the actual ard the supposed. From max
ing science the exponent of wild theories,
arises its Romance. The nebulsr hypo-
thesis and the evolution theory are ex.
amples. Herein the oretic speculation
assumes the sphere of philosophy and
works incalculsble injury. The tendency
is not to be condemned but only guard
ed. Mr.. Rogers is to bes physician.
Harry j. Snively was then introduced,
and made plain and vigorous Grafton
on the Losses and gains of our clvilizs-
tion.' We give the ideas to which he
directed his chief attention, namely, tnat
while our age has lost supremacy in art
and literature 1t has secured far more
valuable supremacy in all the appliances
of civilized life. Twenty centuries have
brought truth, religion and the people TO
the front, and have replaced false systems,
dethroned false Gods, and obliterated
false sociologies. Our age has made it.
self Social principles in some forms are
as old as the race In ancient times one
absolute principle, whether theocracy.
monarchy or arlstocracy bore sway, while
in our day, BY the rivalry and strife OF
all principles, tue most benefcent, diver
sified and popular results are made to sp-
pear. This comprehensive diversity OF
pursuits is a gain, more than balancing
the loss of the old time supremacy OF
literature and art.
Mr.. Snively will make his mark at the
bar.
Mr.. John l. Steele, the sixth speaker,
made an Grafton on Simplicity. "
1t was fine production. The
gentleman demonstrated that SIM
plicity is the conspicuous Characters
tic of nature, art, religion and society.
Mr.. Steele is fitting himself for CONNER
cisl pursuits. We have no doubt he will
succeed in whatever he undertakes.
The physico-philosophicsI ors.ion was
then delivered in good style by E. G.
Smith, OF Rosns county. The santle-
man began by saying that the worlds
pre-. Adsmite history Was the history OF
me material, while the post Adamite was
the history of mind. Mind develops in
the face of all obstacles Human science
Is domlaion over nature. Natural law
yields only 70 intelligent research. Ge-
ogrsphy, astronomy and geology have in
turn met the opposition OF the world and
in turh have overcome it. He concluded
with a plea for the study of physical
philosophy. Mr.. Smith will enter the
profession of law.
III. Hawthorne, of Monongslla, then
delivered the psychological oration on the
subject of the existence of the immsterisl.
He attacked ably and logically the posi-
tive philosophy OF the day as represented
in Huxley and Spencer, and made the
proposition that spirit not only exists,
but gives origin to distinct phenomena.
He said that the phi osopby of material
ism fails 10 account for the phenomena OF
lie much less OF conscious, intelligent
thought. He made it appear that we
have a more direct knowledge of spirit
than we have of matter.
Inasmuch a. we Judge that matter ex
lists b, assuming its essence from ner-
vous sensations whereas consciousness
bears direct testimony to the existence
of what passes IN the mind. He argued
the same thing from the phenomena OF
personal identity. Mr.. Hamilton de.
signs to prepare for the law.
Mr.. 5. Stewart, from the State OF
Ohio, delivered the vsledictory address.
His theme was the progress of educs-
tional methods. HIS main idea was the
fact that. in this age of the world, We re-
cognize the importance In the
first place OF intellectual cul-
ture. and then of its universal
diffusion among all tue people. The
vsledictory address, properly so called,
was spoken in excellent style and was
not only solemn and tear producing, but
stirring and eloquent. Mr.. Stewart
proposes TO become q civil engineer.
President Thompson then conferred
the degrees and accompanied their pres
entstion with q forcible, timely and
sivisstory address.
A, one o'clock the hall was equally
crowded TO hear short speeches from
Gov. Mathews, Hon. {. j. Faulkner,
Hon. W. T. Willy, Judge
j. Il. Brown, Hon. d. ).
Walker, bon. d. D. johnson and Dana
l.. Hubbard, ESQ. These speeches rep
resenling the public opinion of almost
every section of the State, were full OF
power. of enthusiasm aud hope.
The reception, given by the President
and his accomplished lady, was the END
of the greatest commencement the Uni
yersi,y ever saw. This seni-offcial en-
ter,ainment was one of the most bril-
liant social fetes in the history OF Nor
gsntown.
LIE, OUR people, laying aside all minor
differences, unite TO achieve for west
x-;-;. ;rtallac.nsl sunremacy Among