Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1881-04-07
For the Advertiser.
A Memorable Occasion in Newberry
College.
March 2s 1881

| ~ noo inJ SoVu HOSsuoo w AoPPSA ~
the embryo city of Newberry on the 10th
Of March. In-the evening was the scene
Ola pleasant occasion for 'all lovers Of
learning and educational interests, and
such truly are the people of this enter
prising little city, as was certainly then
and there evinced. 1t is On 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 Newberry
College. The exercises were held at the
Pyrtaneum, which was literally filed, and
q more orderly, attentive audience, l never
saw anywhere, which certainly speaks
| well for the citizens Of Newberry, and no
less for the young men of the Society, and
the high esteem in which they, and the
institution they represent, are held BY the
god people Of the community.
The exercises began about s o'clock, and
for two hours we had feast Of letters.
Tie 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 fine 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 viyidly to mind the not very long
past when the writer was an active par
ticipart on these occasions. and we feel,
boys, as if We should like to be with you
| again. and 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
icer Of the occasion, Mr.. G. E. Werber Of
! Nswberry. delivered, in a very happy 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.
| Hoaseal of Newberry, was next introduc-
ed and read 8 very excellent paper on
"The Fallacies OF Youth" The paper was
very c:editable to the young essayist. He
| c,ntrasted youth and age, and what
| 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. "yanity ID 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 giving to 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, us Republican prefera-
able to Monarchicsl form ofgovernmsnt?
| was next discussed, and was represented
in the affirmative by Mr. J. 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
aud speech. OF religion and of the presa,
and by citing numerous examples, espe.
cially that Of cur 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.. LsaYeli bids fair to be an
orator q
The negative formed representative in
Mr.. w. ]. Cherry. of Chester. Mr. Cher
ry went on to substantiate his position
from the nature of the governments under
consideration, and from their practical OF
erations. Government is means to q
certain end, and admitting that end to be
the same as claimed BY the affirmative
proceeded TO prove that monarchy, used
ed in the sense OF limited monarchy,
best accomplished this end. The great
characteristic Of monarchy is power. To,
mach freedom IS dangerous. .prerogative.
Sectional STRIFE and bitterness must exist in
a 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
a prominent example in favor Of his posi-
ton. Mr.. Cherry argues well. and 1 wish
I could give you brief of the arguments
Of both the;e young men. shall not dis
crlmnate. Where both did SO we'll, Il |
would be invidious so to do.
The orator OF The evening, MIR. W. G
Houseal, of Newberry, was next introduc-
ed, and entertained the audience in most
instructive style on "The real object Of
life." Mr. Houseal showed, in a most
vivid manner, the sad spectacle Of the
majority 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
a view to this higher life comes the near
est meeting the highest, the noblsst, pur-
est ends Of existence. His address at the
close to the members Of the society was
very good. ar q
The enjoyment Of the evening is much
indebted to Mrs. Clark. for the most ele.
CANT music discoursed by her on the piano.
before and after each address. 1t was an