Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1881-04-07
For the Advertiser.
A Memorable Occasion in Newberry
College.
March 26, 1881

such truly are the people of this enter
prising little city, as was certainly then
and there eyinced. 1t is sn occasion Of
yearly occurrence, yet onein which a live
ly interest is always manifested. 1t was
.the 22nd Anniversary Celebration of the
Excelsior Literary Society of Newbery
College. The exercises were held at the
Pyrtaneum, which was literally filled, and
more orderly, attentive audience, l never
saw anywhere, which certainly apesks
well for the citizens of Newberry, and 10
less for the young men of the Society, aid
the high esteem in which they, and the
institution they represent, are held BY the
god people Of the community.
The exercises began about o'clock, and
for two hours we had a feast Of letters
The society occupied the front seats, ex-
cept the representatives who took seats on
the rostrum. Not to fatter, yet we must
say we were impressed with the fae ap.
pearance OF these young men. The ros-
trum was not gaudy, yet neatly decorated
and in the centre, and at. the top, were
suspended the badge, and the notices Of
the societies cut in letters covered with
evergreen. To mingle in such scenes
! brings vividly to mind the not very long
past when the writer was an active par
ticipaIt on these occasions. and we feel,
boys, as If we should like to be with you
| again, aud our heart and sympathies shall
| ever be with you on these occasions.
The exercises of the evening were opened
| with prayer, after which The presiding Of
6cer Of the occasion, Mr.. q. E. Werber Of
| Nswberry. delivered, ina very iappy and
| pleasing style, an introductory address
His remarks were well timed, and highly
adapted to the occasion, and were received
| With cheers by his auditors.
The essayist.of the evening, Mr.. E. j.
| Houseal of Newberry. was next introduc.
ed and read very excellent paper on
arhe Fallacies Of Youth" The paper was
| very c:editable to the young essayist He
c,ntrasted youth and age, and what q
| grand thing it would be if each rising gen.
| Grafton would begin where the preceding
| left off and profit by their experiences.
How rapid would be the strides upward
| and onward, Of earth's fallen races, if the
| fallac;es of youth could be avoided The
| chief among which is selfesteem, or as
| some one has expressed it. vanity is the
| only evil" One of TIE chief antidotes for
] these evils is the printing press, which BY
making its educational influence high. ton
ed, and givingto the youths of the coun-
| try pure literature, and by expunging
much of the sensational trash of the day
from its columns. may do much to correct
many Of the errors Of youth.
The question, "Is Republican prefera-
! able to Monarchical form ofgovernuent?
was next discussed, and was represented
in the affirmative by Mr. ]. R. Leavell,
| Jr. of Newberry. The young debater went
! on to point out the ends Of government
| to be the promotion of the happiness and
prosperity of the governed. To insure
liberty, justice. peace. freedom of thought
| and speech, Of religion and of the presa,
and by citing numerous examples, espe-
cially that Of our own republic, went on
| to show that republican, form OF govern
ment best subserved these ends, and hence
is preferable. The speech was well deliy.
! cred, and Mr.. Leaveli bids fair. to be al
] orator. .
The negative formed representative in
Mr.. W. J. Cherry. of Chester. Mr.. Cher
ry went on to substantiate his position
from the nature Of the governments unde,
| consideration, and from their practical OF
era.ions. Government is a means to a
| certain end, and admitting that end to be
the same as claimed by the affirmative
proceeded TO prove that monarchy, used
Ell in the sense OF limited monarchy,
! best accomplished this end, The great
| characteristic Of. monarchy is power. To-
| mach freedom IS dangeroussprerogative.
Sectional STRIFE and bitterness must exist in
republican form of government. A
monarchical form OF government is more
lasting. BY reference to numerous facts
in the history Of republics the speaker
from analogy concluded that monarchi-
cal form Of government is preferable. He
presented the government of England as
prominent example in favor Of his posi-
ton. Mr.. Cherry argues well. and l wish
could give you brief of the arguments
of both these young men. I shall not dis
criminate. Where both did so well, it
would be invidious 30 to do.
The orator OF the evening, MIR. w. G
EouseaI, of Newberry, was next introduc-
ed, and entertained the audience in most
instructive style on "The real object of
life." Mr.. Eouseal showed. in most
vivid manner, the sad spectacle of the
minority Of the human family subverting
the true end Of existence by worshiping
at the shrine Of ambition, or doing hon.
age to the God of wealth. Man was cre-
ated for high and noble purpose not
only for few brief years here. but for an
existence beyond, and he who lives with
view to this higher life comes the near
est meeting the highest, the noblest, pur-
est ends OF existence. His address at the
close to the members Of the society was
very good. 81 o
The enjoyment Of the evening is much
indebted to Mrs. CLARK, for the most ele.
giant music discoursed by her on the piano.
before and after each address. 1t was an
occasion long to be remembered, and most
pleasantly. by all who werepresent. May
the College and her societies long continue
"a nroenar '"--' Q. .--t