The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-06-26
1;1y,yERssry COMMENCEMENT WEEK.
ANNIVERSARY OF THE WASHINGTON. LIT
rp,py socisrY-MG1saL FOR THE BEST
DEBATE TIE ORATORS MEDAL.
.tcn,-esnou,,cnee Of the Richmond Dispatch.l
q = tI-..s.'t.- f~,.n,.rnc1r-,, on TIpGINIA 4

= UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA.
June "a, 1878.
Tho anniversary OF the Washington Lite
,.,ry Society tonight passed off with the
',s,;a, tclat. The Observation-Disclosures
lawn. the music, the ribbons, the flowers,
md the brilliant audience served to inspire
the Young orators to their best endeavors.
After the usual prcliminarieS the Board
ri Trustees. the Faculty, the orators AND
officers OF the Society, and distinguished
g1lrsts were escorted by the committees on
the platform Of the public hall, and the eX-
erciseS begun
After PRAYER by Rev. L. j. McBryde,
former chaplain OF the University, tho pre-
s;dcnt OF tie Society, AIR. Virgil NJ. Potter,
of Bowling Green, Nv, proceeded to pre-.
sent the
MEDAL. FOR THE BEST DEBATER
70 Mr.. r. 4. Jackson, OF Richmond, Ind.
Mr.. Pottcr's presentation speech was brief,
appropriate, III good taste, and well de-
liyered. a
Mr.. jackson warmly expressed his plea
SIRE and gratitude at the reception OF the
medal, and pledged himself to endeavor to
prove worthy OF the honor bestowed upon
him. His speech also was brief, we'll con-
ceiyed, and gracefully delivered. His voice
is one OF remarkable cicarneSs, andpossesSes
that penetrating quality which fills the
largest ball.
The orator Of the Society was Mr.. Z. f.
Long, OF Graham, n. C., VINO made very
felcitous speech in rctutation OF the Dopu-
lar proyerh
"fApDi.E YoUE OWN CANOE
lie humorously and earnestly argued the
mutual dependence OF men upon each
other-that no man can live to himself or
work BY himself-and frequently brought
down ;ae house by his good hits.
His speech also was brief, we'll written,
and we'll delivered. Indeed, the speakers
tonight all showed their appreciation OF 4
Droycrb TOO often forgotten by Young ora
tors--" BreUiu IS the SOul Of ari.'
And am glad to be able TO say that there
was better order and more respectful atten-
tcntion TO the speakers than | have seen
here for several years. 1t would be great
privilege TO BE- able to say at the conclusion
Of commenccment-w week that the abominablc
custom OF laughing and talking during the
Speeches, so that those who would hear can
not, and which is OF modern growth ut the
University, had been entirely abolished.
After the conclusion OF Mr.. Longs speech
the president. in few words filly chosen,
presented him with
TIE ORATORS MEDAL,
which he gracefully and gratefully received.
Tins is a new honor, which was no doubt
worthy bestowed in this instance; but l
must confess nv regret ut seeing medals Tin
school, academy, college. and university so
multiplied that they are fast losing their
value.
The custom OF baving the "honor men "
of the societies selected by committee OF
the Faculty has etfectualiy broken up the
evils OF the bitter contests and exciting
elections which the societies used to have;
but it is feared that il has operated on the
other hand TO destroy any general interest
in the debates and other exercises which in
other days made these societies so valuable
as schools Of oratory. N1AToR.
[0ur first days letter from the Universe
ty, although mailed the morning before the.
above, has failed to reach us. We are at i
loss 10 understand the cause.-DiSpatch.]