The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-06-17

iCt1S 'F''..s
By Mr.. Pollock a. resolution to pave
gutter on the south side OF Federal street
between Second and st. James Streets. Re-
ferred. s.
BY Mr.. T. Wiley Davis: a joint resolu-
ton requesting the City Engineerto adver-
tise the protis of grades in the East End,
&c. Agreed to.
Adjourned, ON motion OF Mr. Hayes.
ConaEnenecs aont Week ut Richmond
.' .'5S - College. ''
The exercises Of commencement week. at
Richmond College always attract deep inter-
est in the 1T, and bring number Of visit
ors from distance. They were begun on
Sunday night by very appropriate aud
effective sermon by Rev. DR.. Henry Nc
Donald, preached 1t Grace-Street church
before the studsnt4' missionary society.
Last night the:; assembled an audience
composed OF the Intelligence and refine
ment Of the CITY. : well as the alumni and
students of the college.
After prayer by Rev. Mr.: Griffith, of
Nof4h Caro'in Rev Dr.. w. E. Hatcher,
the president Of the Society Of Alumni,
welcomed his brethren of the alumni TO
their annual gathering and the audience to
the anniversary, and irtrod: 'ced as the ora
tor of tie evening Hon. Merton B. Howell,
OF Tennessee. aa ..,r.
Mr. Howell be- sun by graceful allusion
r. the feelings Of an alumnus OF twenty
eight years ago revislting the scenes OF his
Youth and noting the changes which have
taken 1i,..o in the course OF time. He then
procec. ed to make an address, which showed
great historical research. was written in
clear, yigorc rs style, showed high literary
finish, and proved the orator man OF de-
cided ability and high attainments.
lie ably traced the progress OF education
and civilization from the earliest days, and
drew ':pt Illustrations from the wide fields
of literature. ;.istory, and science. He made
an eloquent Flea for classic learning, but at
the SAINT TIM would not neglect scientific
research. He earnestly insisted that while
yene.ating the past we should press forward
in tie path of scientific attainments, and
eloquently expressed the hope that Rich
mond College might keep abreast of the
progress OF the times. He concluded as
follows:
There is picture, simple in it's outlines,
but grand in its suSgestiveness, which re-
presents a laden boat crossing a broad
stream. In the stern sits the venerable patri-
arch, with the aged companion OF his life,
looking with dreamy and sad eyes upon the
reccding shore. In the middle is the ma-
turc father OF Il family, filed with care for
those dependent on him, listening to their
artIess prattle and supplying their desires.
In the bow, far forward, stands the stall
wart youth, with foot advanced, and lifted
band shading his eyes from the suns rays,
gzing With aa b1 hna @RR9Hhea Se ntrs Il s6oa
to tread. Fit type is he OF what will be
Al Of tho alnsino
OF the nineteenth century. No more de-
voting the best years Of his growing life to
the exclusive study Of dead languages, and
the unrayeling Of 1ntrlcacies in extinct
theories, which have served their purpose
and been laid away; energized by the per-
feet freedom OF thought achieved through
the conquest OF the world by the teachings
of Christ and pcrpetuated by the dis
seninatiop OF His revelation, he will see
the hand Of God in the growth. OF q
blade OF grass as in the uphcavals OF the
earthquake: he will feel that know
ledge OF nature and its laws is but ar
other name for the comprehension OF 4
God infinite in power and 'unmiStaking in
design, towards which comprehension he
shall forever approach and yet never shall
come near; that the physical and mental
and moral advancement OF our race are
bound together by invisible and indis.
soluble cords, and that he who shall
soften that primeyal curse which con-
demned man to eat bread in the sweat
OF his face, shall have conferred greater
blessing than has come from all The philoso-
nhy of antiquity. Let the beauties and
clores of the poets and orators and states
men and moraists OF the dead past be pre-
served and venerated, as we would the pic
lures of our ancestors and the priceless
heirlooms descended to us from them, TO be
looked upon and admired in moments OF
| leisure and relaxation, but not to make the
contemplation of them the business OF oul
lives. Let us press forward upon this ne"
road OF scientific research, learning the
ways OF God by studying His works, anC
not stag our step to scrutinize the mile
stones, however elegantly and beautifully
and artistically they may be carved.
Thus, gentlemen, di>jointedly, discur
sively, and digressively, / have given utter
ance to "the thoughts that arise in me-
They are accompanied by an honest anG
sincere desire that our college may secure
and maintain position abreast OF the fore
most in meeting all the demands Of present
and advancing culture.
And when she calls the roll OF her chill
.dren and bids them gather beneath the folds
OF her peaceful banner, and join in her on
ward march as she sweeps grandly to hel
high destiny. may no son of hers refuse the
call. Scattered though they be across the
continent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific
whether in the rcp'otest West, where The
weary sun sinks nightly TO his ocean-bed
or in the golden East, where the gates o.
the morning unbar their shining folds tc
let in the day. GODS flashing beams, every
where, let their grateful hearts respond tc
her appeal with such mighty voice, as Wher
q ,Iura answers from her misty shroud,
| Back to the joyous Alps that call TO her aloud"
The orator was loudly applauded and
warmly congratulated at the conclusion Of
his speech.
Mr. Howell (son OF the distinguished Rev
DIR. r. B. q. HowelD graduated at the col
lege twenty eight years ago, before he was
sixteen years old. He was afterwards
successful student at the University OF Flr'
ginia. and has been for years leading law
yer at the Nashville bar. He was warmly
greeted by many OF his old college friends
Instead OF the regular banquet, the
alumni had this year a most delightful so