The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-06-19
WoGord c5llesc Commencement.
SpARTAsBuRG, S. c., June IL, iS7s.


The commencement stfiiioiii was
preached last s.intiay morning, June
9th, by Bishop w. NJ. wightman, d. D.,
| LII. D., from the text, "For wo are also
his offspring II, 2S. He spoke of
| the Divine Origin of man as discovered
by reason, taught in revelation, and con-
firmed by conscience and the witness of
the Spirit. it was an able, gospel ser
mon, and truly modern in its forcible,
logical showing against the develop
ment theory"
| At tho annual debate of the Calhoun
Literary Society Charles a. Woods,
Esq, presided during the discussion of
the following question: Resolved. that
the Stump, as an institution, has promo
ted true Ofatoty." Affirmativo--T. j.
Rogers and T. B. Stackhouse; negative
w. L. Lander and II. W. Pomberton.
The debatants made free use Of the name
of our worthy Senator, ex-Gov. Hamp-
ton, ON both sides of the question. One
of the negatives said: "IIe is as inno-
cent of oratory as OF dishonesty
(Herein your reporter thinks he indica-
ted his inadequate conception of true
oratory.) The medal for best speaker,
both as to matter and manner, was
awarded to Mr.. Rogers by committee
of five competent judges. Valedictorian,
A. C. Wightman. The presiding officer
made an earnest and instructive address
to the society.
| At the annual debate of the Preston
Literary Society Rev. H. F. Chreitzberg,
A. NJ, presided, and the following inter-
esting question was ably discussed:-
"Resolved, that Macbeth was more gull
ty than Lady Macbeth" Affirmative
A. B. Calvert and w. D. Hutto; negative
II. D. Thackston and II. G. Folk. VAL
edictorian, J. S. elena. A judicious
committee of five awarded the medal 10
Mr.. Thackston as best speaker. The
chairman addressed the Society in Sc
rious and thoughtful speech.
On Tuesday, the 10th, the annual ad-
dress before the two literary societies
above named was happily delivered by
Governor Alfred H. Colquitt, of Georgia.
This fine specimen Of humanity came
forward on the rostrum with military
grace and self-possession amid the char
acteristic signs of welcome to such q
parsonage. Playful allusion to the
tinsel-work of the students imagina-
ton, as he approaches a Commence.
ment, served as pleasing introduction
to his more serious purpose to deliver
practical address on the duties Of life. lie
referred to the Bishops prayer for the
guidance of the officers Of State, and said
if it were the place for solemn invoca-
ton he would pray "that the young men
of our time might serve the ne,O South
as Calhoun and McDuffie and their con-
temporaries served the old South" Zap
plause.1
Continuing, the Governor said, in SUBJ
stance: The writing of our history is
chiefly by such as are unfriendly to US,
and have no proper appreciation OF
Southern character; but there are no
more noble men and women to be found
upon this broad earth than under a
Southern sun. Enthusiastic applause
AS to the duties and relations of life,
few deserve special mention in view of
the issues and tendencies of our day.
1. Home duties. One of the evil ten
denotes of our time in family duties is
the disposition "to push aside the old
man and old woman, and say get out of
the way; father, sit DOWN." When I
meet man bent with age, with whiten-
ing hair and bald head, feel like talk
ing off my hat to make low bow and
give him place. Southern women are
sometimes represented as being without
energy. and domestic oversight; while,
indeed, some of them are as royal in
their dominion as is Queen Victoria !!
[Applause.l
Q. Social duties. A man owes it to his
fellow-men to be true. and trustworthy
member of society. Some men seem to
think that it is the part of dignity to be
morose and exclusive, that the world
may look upon them and say, "That's
the thinker" Tor "the thing" did not
hear accurately.) Laughter and ap-
plause.l A young man-still g boy, but
just about to be man-win say, "Well,
I'm too old to be boy; Pm not quite q
man; but I rather people would think
Pm man." $50 he stands on the street
with his beaver turned to his right ear"
laughter and will not show politeness
to passersby but, swears-'just let me
swear; I'm a manw "a true word
painting of young America.) There is
nothing cheaper than politeness. I am
not preacher, but if had Bible I
would turn to text to use just here.
[Calls for Bible; it is not produced.]
Bishop Wightman says, "Quote it for US,
Governor" "Well, don't believe I
can; it has been long tilno since I was
a Sunday school scholar. [Laughter.l
But it is in Cor. 13. Bishop, you quote
it for us. Loud laughter and applause;
for not indicating the exact passage the
Bishop is at loss.] 1t is what is said
about charity" Now the Bishop quotes:
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind /;
charity envieth not; charity vaunteth
not itself, is not pulled up" "That's it,
Bishop; thank you." A moro accurate
description of gentleman cannot he
found in any writings; for if you put
the word polite,,sss in the place of charity
it indicates exactly what I would have
you do. [Alludes to Romeo and Juliet
with fine touch of love and marriage. ]
After taking upon him such sacred VOWS
under such endearing circumstances,
"God forgive the man who can touch
anything impure"
8. In addition to these family and social
duties, every man has higher duties to
I