Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1879-06-26
Commencement Exercises of the
Walhalla Female College.

Walhalla Female College.
Tho Commencement Exercises of tho Female
College passed of on Tuesday morning, at l03
O'Clock, with moro than usual attraction for
such exercises. Tho thorough systematic ar
rangcments, under which Dir. Smoltzor always
acts, gave these exercises an interest and cert
which VIC hayo never seen in similar schools.
Prompt MS The clock itsclf tho exercises were
begun at precisely l04 O'Clock, rs announced by
tho programme. Tho consequences of this
punctuality secured TO the doctor fresh,
patient and attentive audience. Al 10 O'Clock
the pupils Of the school met at The Female COL
legc Thoro they formed procession, headed
by their teachers aud Governor Perry, their
orator The Walhalla Band, with that gcncr-
osity which has ever characterized It's members,
preceded the procession with music 10 the Lu-
theran Church, where q largo gathering of
anxious parents, brothers, sisters and fricnds
awaited the arrival Of tho school. Reserved
seats in tho church were soon filled up by tho
pupils, thero being about one hundred of hcul
Miss Ada Clabaugh greeted their appearance
with some sweet music from tho organ, after
which the exercises were opened with prayer by
Rev. DR.. Furman, Of Grcenvilo.
Dr. Smcltzer thereafter announced tho hxcr-.
to be the reading of three essays writton by
Misses Hadio Thompson, iiattio yorncr and
Minnie McGrcgos. Miss lIudlc Thompson's
ossay, on tbs subject, .Wc hayo our Destiny in
Our o"n LANDS" was read by Major S. p
ccnGy; Miss Matte Vcrncrs subject, aTho
, study Of the Classics" by Rev S. l.. Norris
and Miss Mimic MoGrcgor's subject, "The
Beautiful by Rev. DR.. Smctzcr. These essays
moro than met %ho high expectation of tho
audience and were universally pronounced
excellent. Their thoughts wore syscmatizcd
and expressed in clear cut language, all of
which showed that they had received tho impress
from the masterly mind and scholar which has
been training them. To have seen these young
ladies, witnessed their manner upon the stage,
and heard their essays would bo enough to
convince any ono that pains havc been
spared by them or their instructors TO place
their college among the foremost of The insitu-
tions of the Sac.
In the intervals Of the reading Of these essays
the audience was entertained by delightful
music from tho several classes of tho college.
After tho essays were read DR.. Smcltzcr pre-
scntcd Gov. D. T. Perry, who addressed the
Philophrcnian Society Of tho college. This
venerable old gentleman presented fine ap-
pearanco upon the stage. The fact that he was
the orator of The occasion brought ont very
large gathering both from the village and the
country TO hear him. Old men and old ladies,
who were companions Of the Governor in his
younger days, when ho first began life, and
who have followed in his wake throughout his
long and remarkable career, came to hear him
once more upon his native soil. The illusions
which he made in the beginning of his address,
TO his mother county, were very touching indeed,
and drew tears TO many eyes. Tho subject
chosen by tho Governor for his address was
Female Education." We will not attempt TO
give IN outline of it for fear that We cannot do
him justice, but wc will duly say that it was
replctc with practical wisdom and teaching.
lie spoke MS father 10 children and gave the
intcrspcrsed with wit and humor that drew
frequent applause from his audience. 1t is q
qualification 10 our people TO know that Gov
Perry has received such q welcome rs his audi.
cncc gave him, especially as this is perhaps the
last time he may over address public gathering
in our county. To have heard his address in
his rpc old ago, TO this young institution which
is doing so much TO elevate our people, was a
rich treat, which VIC wish every man, woman
and youth in the county could have heard
When This address WAS finished the lille girls
Of tho primary class, all dressed in white, led
by little May Keith, sung at tho piuno-'Swcct
Byc-and-Byc." Their sweet little voices rang
clearly through the hall and made one long for
'that beautiful shore"
This finished, the Lords Prayer was chaltoi
and thus ended the exercises of The second
commencement Of the Walhala Female ollcgc
and VIC wish it many such happy returns.