The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1881-07-20
YIsITORs EXCLUDED.
THE O'CONNER MEDAL.
THE CONTEST FOR IT AT CUM
BERLAND GAP.

CUMBERLAND GAP, June 9th, 1881.
To the Editor of The Morristown Gazette:
1t was the tongue of the orator and
the skill of the declaimer, more than
anything else, that developed the lofty
characters Of ancient Greece and Rome.
The careful observer of passing events
must be impressed with the fact that
there is a revival of this God-like art
amongst the schools and colleges in the
United States. Teachers and patrons
of learning are doing everything within
their power to stimulate young men to
strive for higher grade in this branch
of education. This fact alone would
give significance and interest to the 4th
of July celebration at Cumberland. Gap
on yesterday. Sixteen young men from
the three States of Kentucky, Virginia
and Tennessee, stepped upon the beau
tifully decorated platform to contend in
defamation for the "O'COnner Medal"
The stage itself was a becoming artistic
tribute from the mothers, sisters and
sweethearts of these promising young
men. Rev. ThOs. P. Enson, of Viz
ginia, opened the exercises with a beau
tiful and chaste prayer of Thanksgiving
to Almighty God for his wonderful
kindness and care over us as a nation.
The audience was entertained with
music by Miss Minnie Morrison, whose
magic touch of the piano brought forth
strains (which might have charmed
even Calypso and her nymphs." Rev.
3. G. Manard, President of Tazewell
College, delivered the Introductory ad
dress, which was we'll worthy the man
aud the occasion. He endeavored to
stimulate the young men to high en-
deavors anG heroic action in the battle
of life. The contestants for the medal
were M. B. Martin, w B Merriman, ].
B. Richmond, w. H. EDDIE, M. M.
White, L. r. Campbell, N L. Holt,
w II. Evans, A. M. Cons, FL. M. Carr,
F. Z. Patterson, II. II. Harris, N. E.
Richmond, w. E. Morrison, d. g. Col
son and j. II. Morrison. The commit
mittee to award the medal consisted of
Messrs. Unthank, of Pineville, KY,
PralI, of Lexington, KY, and Hurst. of
Tazewell, Teun.
Master J. H. Morrison, of Cumberland
Gap, was the happy recipient of the
prize; and when we consioer the occas-
ion and the splendid efforts of all the
young men, it is one of which the lucky
boy may we'll be proud. The medal it
self was a golden beauty; its design was
the cross and crown, overtipped with a
beautiful plated arch bearing the in
scriptiOn upon the one eide, "Oratory,"
the other, "O'Conner Medal" How
appropriate and befitting the emblem ?
No man ever yet won that crown who
has not first borne the cross of days and
years of mental and physical toll.
And what shall we say about that din
ner in the grove Was it a miracle ?
Twelve or fifteen hundred people were
all fed, and you could scarcely tell that
the cakes and pastry, and jellies and1
chicken and hams, and a hundred other
delicacies that our East Tennessee ladies
know how to cram on public dinner,
were diminished
After dinner, Col. w. H. Patterson
read carefully prepared address upon
the american Colonies and the ad-
dress certainly deserves inscribed upon
its title page the motto 'nulttns On par
90"
DR.. S. B. Campbell presented the
medal. His address was one of his hap
piest literary and classic efforts. King
College did her judgment credit TO con-
fer the title of DR.. of Divinity upon
man of such literary worth as Mr..
Campbell. He paid beautiful compli-
ment to Maj. Tom. O'Conner, who so
donated the medal. Proba
bly, Maj. O'Conner may not feel any the
poorer by spending twenty-One dollars
on the medal, bat if the generous gem
Lleman could have heard his name and
intentions SO kindly handled before tho
large audience gathered ON yesterday at
Cumberland Gap from the three above
States, think that he would |
have realized most fully the Christian
motto, "Is is more blessed tie give than
TO receiYe."
/ would rather be an O'Cnnner at
Gap or Vanderbilt at
and to feel that this age of
literary activity had received a stimu-
liant by my action. than TO have the
honors of prince or lord.
DIR. Campbell also paid handsome
to Hon III, T Patton, whose
exertiOns and energy had rendered tho
whole affair.such a success.