The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1881-06-18
GALA DAY.
The. Commencement Ec-
ercises at the
University.
Address to the Graduating Class,
by Presidential
From Fridays Daily. |

Prom Fridays Daily.l
Yesterday witnessed the corsum-
nation of the past years work at the
University.
The addresses of the Graduating
Class yesterday we're very able. Each
of the young gentlemen acquitted
themselves nobly, as also eoch re-
ceived numerous bouquets at the
close of their performances. Kra-
mcr's Band discoursed excellent mu-
sic. It wassa day long to be remem-
bered by many. The following was
the programme;
Music. Prayer Music
Oration-.The Needs of West Vir-
ginia, by Thomas f.. Hodges.
= 'sf Music.
Oration-"Modern Civilization" by
w. Nj, Hyland.
Music.
Orntion-ssTie Deeds Of our Faith,
erss"' by Howard N. Ogden.
Music.
: Comforting of Degrees.
After comforting, the degree Of
Bachelor of Arts, and presenting the
Diploma of the Institution to each
member of the class, President Pur-
inton said:
Young gentlemen, you are this day
to terminate your career as matrieu
lates of this school, You stand at
the close of your College life. Its
experiences are all liehind you. The
great world lies before you. This
llosSr. marks an era in your lives, an
opacH in your history. And as its
momanrsA bear you silently and
forever away from the life of this
school, it is,wela' to stamp upon them
the solemn seal, of earnest, parting
words.
Standing rs yoa do, at the gateway
Of past achievement and of future
possibility, 1 bid you mark well
the outlines of the scene before you.
It doubtless seems to you all fair and
peaceful and serene. Hope spreads
the canvass of your future lives, and
fancy paints fairy picture. BE it
SO; l would not rob the picture of
single hue of light and beauty, but
let me remiHd yo,f that stern. expe-
rience will soon take the brush and
shade the pieture with alternate lines
Of victory and defeat. However fair
this world may be in present seem
ing, charge you to remember that
shewill be to you neither ready
friend nor willing subject. There
was once tabled hero King, who
dwelt upon the shores of Libya. He
was strong in body and vigorous in
mind. He was kind to his subjects,
and generous to his friends. But he
had one strange and understandable
habit He was accustomed to chal-
lenge to personal combat ev-
cry stranger that Glanced to
touch upon the shores of his inhos-
pitable kingdom. If the stranger
5overcame him in the contest, he was
rewarded with a crown of victory; if
he was vanquished, his own life must
pay the penalty OF his defeat. s.
o5 1 have often thought, young gen.
t1emen, that this bit offabled history
is true epitome of human life. AS
your young and eager feet are about
to press the hither shore of a restless,
overwhelming future, it may seem
to you that the world'is waiting for
you, that she is coming out to meet
and greet and welcome you. Be not
deceived. She may indeed be wait
ing for you, but Antausslike she
comes to fight you. In one hand she
bears glittering sword, id THE other,
Ha'regal crown. II yut succeed in
wrenching the dfe frSta her firm and
mighty grasp, with the other she will
gladly, joyously deck'your victorious
brow. If you fail, she will drive her
Damascus blade to your very vitals.
The struggle is upon you. There is
no escape. You must fight it through.
Yonder in the distance are the crown,
the palace, thS'sceptre; but iiist be-
fore you stand the hestsessbattle. If
you conquer, you shali'reign. This
world Has many robes and palms of
victory for her struggling heroes; not
one for the cowardl or the traitor.