The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-07-07
OMMENCEMENT At DUE JyEST,

hhe C1oRe OK thc Collegiate Year Mt Ersklne
ond ct the Female College. "A Happy limo
FOR All.
lREpoRTED FOR THE NEWS iUD HERALD.
For nearly half a century, with the
exception ofa few years during the
war, Erskine College has excrtcd q
power in the State second to none of
the institutions Of learning which de-
pend principally upon some particular
religious denomination for financial
support and patronage. Founded un-
der the auspices Of tho Associate Re-
formed Church, and organized to meet
its particular wants, bat not limited
in its patronage to this particular de-
nomination, she has to-day reached an
e'ninencc as crcditable to those in
charge Of the College as tits gratifying
to its patrons. 1t has annually sent
ont graduates who will not suffer by
comparison with those Of other col
lcges; and its alumni have adorned
prominent positions in both Church
and State.
The 30th day Of June was the
fortieth annual commencement day IN
the history Of the College, and on that
day eleven souls wcro filled with pride
and happiness as they received their
diplomas from the hands of the cu]tnr-
ca and distinguished president, the
Rev. W. NJ. Gricr. D. y.
On Monday night previously the
two literary societies connected with
the College had their annual cclcbra.
tions in their respective halls. In the
Phl!omathcan Hall the exercises were
presided over by the Hon. John G..
Sheppard. who made graceful and
polished address on taking the chair.
These exercises were both varied and
interesting, and consisted in debate
by two chosen members, the delivery
of society diplomas and rcsponse.or
Talcdictory from member Of the
senior class, and the delivery of the
soelcty medals by Mr.. j. N. Miller, of
Ala. The exercises were Of much tho
""'.'- ''"''.'' /" VIC ILuphcmlan Hall,
t.c %r1-'ty medals being delivered bv
Tie Non. J.J. ltcmphiil, in most
happy manner.
GA Tuesday evening there was
COMES! III debate and ESSAYS by rcpre-
S}ht"'iv"S chosen by the two Societies,
"Mrh took rlace in Lindsay Hall. This
ShE""!@uS hall was nearly filled BY the
cN.2'ns and visitors who came to wit
heeS tHIS Interesting feature Of com
mcnccmcnt week. The debate was
paThclpated in by four members Of the
SENIOR class--two from Zach society.
NicSsrs. {. II. Bricc, Of Chester, and
.. y. Nlthcrspoon. Of North Carolina,
represented the Philomathcans; and
MesSrs. G. e. Todd. of Due West, and
u. Z. Baird, Of North Carolina, sup
ported the part of the Euphcminns.
Ihr debate. evinced thorough prepa-
ration on the part Of The participants,
and was skiltnlly handled by both
sides. After this came the contest in
essay reading, in which four members
or the junior class participatod-;w
from each society. The essays had
bccn prepared with great care, and
being wiittcn upon subjects Of present
Importance, proved especially interest
ing to the large audience.
edneSdav was the day most anxi-
ouSly expected and ANTICIPATED by
many persons. Up to This time many
visitors had arrived both by rail and
private conveyance; but at an early
hour buEgics, carriages, wagons and
norscmeh began to pour in to Due
west from every quarter. Bv ten
O'Clock the large hall and campus
seemed TO be havinga grand jubilee, for
the crowd woul q easily have number
cd live thousand, and cycr.t one sccm~
fd drtcrmincd to have q good time.
Old age was blended witt, youth. and
ardent manhood and fair Young wo-
manhood walked arm in arm. There
was the dashing young widow. the
grilm oId bachelor and the inevitable
Old maid. There might have been
seen couple, scarcely out of their
teens. dclicatcly y slipping ice cream,
and billing and cooling like two young
doves.
At ten O'Clock the exercises began,
and the members Of the graduating
class delivered their orations. 1t was
notable day IN history OF their lives,
and for months their minds had been
taxed in dcvising how best to meet the
terrible ordeal. The orations were all
good, some Of them fine, doing credit
to tht minds and hearts Of the younY
speakers. The speeches were inter.
sperscd by the sweet inspiring strains
Of music rendered bv the Duo West
C"rhct Band. The diplomas were de-
)ivered by DIR. ricr. and his address
to the graduating class was fine
effort. lie gave them many words OF
generous encouragement and whole
some advice, and bid each one God.
speed in the race OF lie.
IN the afternoon Mr.. W. G.. Bcmct,
Of Ahhrvillc, delivered the anniversa.
J." address. His subject, "rhc Need
oi lii"ilcr Educatiom." was put in q
mpSr attractive form to those who had
the pleasure of hearing him. 1t was
undoubtedly one of the best addresses
eyer delivered or heard on that sub
.icct. and was well received by an in,
tclligcnt audience. '-- ..
Wednesday evening j. N. Miller
Esq, a rising ard prominent young
lawyer of Camden. Alabama, made
tho address before The Alumni of tho