The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-06-18
WEDNESDAY MORNING, JUNE ls. 1879.
5ofns Final Celebration or Che 65n SIG.
ma Rho and PsstIosogfan Societies Of
Z Richmond College.

Richmond College.
The beautiful College chapel was crowd
Led last night with an audience which EN-
lbraced much OF the intelligence, redas
EMent, wisdom, and beauiyof Richmond.
The chapel was beautifully decorated
with eYergree1s and flowers.
After aseason spent in listening to sweet
music from he band lit was shrewdIy sus.
Dected that some Of the company listened
90 music sweeter than the band could
rnakel. the societies marched in, and the
exercises were opened with prayer by Rev.
DR.. T.. s. Dunaway, OF Fredericksburg.
Mr.. William 7. HHdgins. PRESIDENT OF the
-Philologian Society, cordially welcomed the
audience. He said that bis only duty WAS
10 say "How do You do? while The vale
sdictorian had only 10 SO say '' Goodbye" !;
but while bis theme afforded no field for
rhetoric. he would rather a thousand times
say q dull "Howdv" to Richmond audi-
ence than to pronounce an eloquent - Fare
weIl." .f
& He defended the utility of such ceIebra-
tons, and earnestly insisted that while
there may be surplus of sophomore"
speeches, yet this training fits young men
for the great arena OF after life.
He closed with an appropriate and earn
est address 10 bis elder brothers of the
Alumni. who had come to revisit the scenes
and revive the memories OF other days, and
nm eloquent appeal 10 all TO ensbrine IN their
heart. of hearts " dear old Richmond Col
lege.3'e ,5s
He was frequently interrupted with ap-.
plallse, and was loudly appIauded us he
took bis seat. ~ FL.
The oration OF the Mu Sigma Rho Society
u, /3o1i, ht,
who announced as his theme "Tbe Pcrils
OF State Dishonor." sr@'p.E ,..aap@ 1;f '..
After an appropriate introduction ne
honored? He answered that State mag be
dishonored by @i So ri'..fr- .-
l. Social degradation. H..
- 2. Political degradation. ..a: rt..
3. Moral degradation. .-,. - rr..-...
~ He discussed each Of these points, draw
ing illustrations from the history OF the
past and the lessons OF the present. He
protested against anything looking
to ward a reputation OF the obligations OF
Virginia, drew a dark picture Of a dishon-
ored Commonwealth, and pictured Virginia
honestly meeting her just obligations and
to her appropriate place at the
council board Of the nations. "
Mr.. Heflin was frequently and loudly ap-
plauded, and his speech seemed 10 give
great satisfaction to his friends. -
Mr.. L. J. Huff. Of Albemarlc county. Va,
was the orator Of the Philologian Society.
He facetiously spoke OF the difficulty he bad
experienced in selecting his subject. But
rejecting the suggestion Of some nice young
men who purt their hair in the middle. that
hc should speak on "Love,' be had deter
mined to select as his subject Bismarck"
Speaking OF this greut man as "a citizen
of the world,' he briefly but very vivdly
,ketchcd his life as boy, college stu
dent, man OF business, diSsipated young
nan, an earnest student of books and OF
nature, rising politician, and successful
statesman.
His analysis Of the character Of Bis
his faults and bringing
,ut his shining abilitieS-was very fHe- and
be whole speech showed the most earnest
tudy and the most careful preparation.
indeed, 1t was thoughtful, wcll-written,
we'll delivered speech, much above the ave-
uge Of college speeches, and was all honor
10Th to the youthful orator and the society
which he represented. It's freedom from
anything like the clap-trap with which STU
tents on such occasions seek to win ap-
,lause was particularly noticed and ad-
nired.
AS Mr.. Huff took bis seat he was, loudly
and was honored with aOral tr-
,utes from some of the fair auditors
NJ. J. j. Taylor, president OF the Blu
sigma hho Society. then made the Valedic-
ory.
His speech was appropriate, earnest, elo-
luent, in goou taste, and delivered with
lear voice and in graceful manner.
Mr.. Taylor rs evidently 4 young man Of
inc ability, and is destined to 4 successful
arcer in his chosen calling. He,- too. was
.rceted with loud applause, and rewarded
With flowers.
On the whole, the celebration vas very
lccided success, and the young men may
veil be proud OF the occasion.
sthis report closes. the College campus
s illuminated, and eloquent speeches are
,ciue made to iaig auditors, which this re-
porter would not. ii he could. reproduce.
The following is the programme for TO-
light: Joint Final Celebration. OF the Mn |
sigma Rho and PhiIoogian Literary Socie-
les. Introductory Address by the Presi--i
lenr. Governor Fred. ". NJ. Enlliday. Mr-
ic. PRAYER. OyatiGn, John A. Broadu>,>
}. D. LID. Music. Delivery of Medals
~ Judge George l.. Christian. Phllolo- |
tian Medallists. Best Debater, E. Z. Hol-.
and; Best Writer, W. II. HndSins; I'M
,rovement in Debate, w. II HaiSlip. Nu
Sigma Rho MetsaIIists: Best Dcbater, y. =:
Sta pies; Best Writer, NJ. 3. Curry; fn-
,rovement in Debate, George Z. BunucS.
Ilusic.
MEETING. aF THE SoCIErT OF ALUNNI.-
Ehe annual meeting Of tbs Alumni OF Rich
nond College will be hen at the Second
BAPTIST cllacrch at II O'Clock this MO ming.