The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1879-11-29
Junier and Seatcr Perferm-


The second Junior and Senior per.
Torrance of the year came off In the
University Chapel Friday evening
Nov. 2lst. Owing to the severity oil
the weather the attendance was not
large, but the entertainment on the
whole was literary exhibition OF
very high order.
The exercises led Off with an essay
by A. l.. Cox, subject; kansas"
He told of the rise and growth of the
great western state, of its present
prosperity and its probable destiny,
and dwelt especially on its excellent
free school system and the attention
which the people of that young state
give to learning.
VIM. NJ. Hylandthen followed with
an Grafton on "Chivalry." He told,
in most beautiful language, how chiv-
airy originated and developed in
France and then spread to Germany,
Spain and England during the mid
die ages. But when gunpowder was
invented and firearms came into use,
the peasants armed with mus kets be
came equal to the proud and accom-
plished knights, and the days OF
chivalry rapidly declined.
Thos. +. Hodges followed with an
essay on 1.-The Negro Exodus.' In
this Mr.. Hodges exhibited consider
able independence of thought. He
claimed that the Southern people arc
and always have been the best and
truest friends the dsrkey had. AL
though the Northern people have al
ways held that the darkey should be
brought up tn high standard in So
ciety and should have equal rights
and privileges with all, still they
want him as far from themselves as
possible. And although he admitted
that bad treatment was the real cause
of the exodus, yet on account of the
natural and inherent crimes of the
darkey, when he comes to confront
the rigors of q winter on the West
ern plains he will cry out, Garry, O
carry me back to my bright sunny
South again.
Chas. K. Grafton came next with
an essay, subject, "Minstrels.' He
told how the minstrels and bards OF
early times collected and handed
down the traditions and legends OF
other days, and how we are indebted
to the MINISTRIES for nearly all our
legendary literature, how they taught
the youth Of the royal families, and
what positions Of honor and trust
they held.
b. L. keenan, followed with an ora
ton on "Thc Economy Of Evolution"
He showed that evolution 10 not athe-
ism, and then came to his subject
proper, which he illustrated very
finely. He showed that il fish was
without gills and needed them it
would be economy to give 1t gills
rather than to create new fish out.
right; and that in building a house,
if it was necessary to make some
changes, it would be economy for the
architect to change the house then
building rather than to build new
house entirely. Mr.. keenan, is the
champion evolutionist of the Univer-
sity.
j. N. Marsh followed with an ora
tion, subject, Criticisms" (which was
witty and to the point. He showed
that the critic should be cultured
and unprecedented in mind, and that
his province should be rather to call
attention to the chief points Of ex-
cellence than to be always carping at
minor faults.
The next was an essay by Geo. A.
Pearre, subject, "rhe Prospects OF
the Republic" This being rather an
old subject had it not been for the el-
egancs Of language in which it was
clothed must certainly have been
somewhat drouthy. However Mr..
Pearres performance was thoughtful
and serious, and not imaginative and
fanciful, which is often a great fault
III young Patriots.
A. A. Waters came last with an
essay, subject, "Our Home Life, the
Index of Our National Life" He
pointed out how the child, absorbing
the influences Of home carry them
out into the world, how they go to
make his character, and that as indi-
viduals make up nation, SO indi-
vidual character is the true exponent
of national character. The subject
was illustrated finely and, by the
way, was "pretty tall performance"
President Thompson made some
very spirited criticisms at the close,
and all felt highly entertained by the
performances throughout.