Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-06-17
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESsEE
Commencement Exercises al
Knoxville Last Week

NeIelIy OF IenueSSec was apPtOPhAaOcig
inaugurated this year by an able bac-
calaureate sermon delivered at Staub's
operahouse Sunday night, June 9th,
by Rev. w. P. Harrison, d. D., of
Washington, D. c. The large audi
ence represented all sects and classes
of Knoxville society, and on the stage
appeared the venerable president of
the university, Rev, DR.. Thos. w.
Humes, and the various city pastors,
who had suspended services in their
churches for the occasion. DR.. Har-
rison was once a chaplain of congress,
and is recognized as one Of the ablest
pulpit orators in the country. His
sermon, addressed mainly to the young
men, was a complete and thorough
vindication of the Christian religion,
and made a powerful impression upon
the minds of all present. 1t was an
effort fully up to the requirements and
expectations of the occasion.
Monday night, the 6th,a large audi
ence assembled at the operahouse to
hear the address of Gen. w. G. Brien,
one ofthe most highly cultured and
gifted members of the Nashville bar,
before the two literary societies of the
university. After music and prayer
he was introduced by Professor Joynes
and delivered an admirable address,
which fully sustained his reputation
as a scholar, a sound reasoner and a
speaker. No mere synopsis would do
him justice. The large and intelIi-
gent audience listened with the strict
est attention. At the close ofthe ad-
dress the senior class were called upon
the stage and presented society diplo-
mas by DR.. w. P. Jones, of Nashville
After music by Knabe's band and
benediction, the audience dispersed.
Tuesday, the 7th, a large number of
visitors began to appear in the city.
During the day the board of trustees
met and conferred degrees upon the
graduating class, as will appear here
after. Honorary degrees were also
recommended and conferred upon
Rev. Geo. B. Eagen and Rev. George
G. Rankin, as doctors of divinity,
and the degree of doctor Of music
upon the worthy professor who has
so long aud faithfully conducted the
univ ersity band, Gustavus B. Knabe.
The event of the evening was the ad-
dress before the Alumni association by
Thos. j. Jackson, Esq, of Nashville a
member of the class Of 1874. He had
a good and appreciative audience
notwithstanding the weather was I'M
favorable. After music by the cadet
cornet band under Doctor Knabe and
prayer by Rev. f. NJ. Grace, president
of Hiwassee college who is an alumnus
Of the class of 1919. Col. Moses
White, president of the association,
introduced the orator of the occasion.
Mr.. Jackson, his theme was: How are
we meeting the demands of the
present ime?' The address was
very clearly and methodically
prepared and embraced a gem
eral view Of our social and poIit-
ical institutions. His ideas were very
carefully expressed and his deductions
entirely logical and practical. TIE
address made a very favorable impress
sion upon all who heard it, and the
next day Mr.. Jackson was honored by
being elected president of the Alumni
association, a well deserved distinc-
ton.
Wednesday, June 9th, closed the
regular commencement exercises OF
the week, it being commencement
day and the seventy fourth annual
commencement Of the time honored
institution. At 9 o'clock the students
in full uniform assembled on Main
street and marched to the operahouse,
headed by the eornet band. At the
operahouse the battalion halted,
opened ranks and President Humes.
Governor Hawkins, the faculty, board
Of trustees, board Of state visitors,
members Of the Alumni association
and others officially connected with
the university passed through and en-
tered the building, and were given
seats on the stage. The battalion fol-
lowed and took seats in front. An
immense crowd was iammed into the
operahouse to witness the final public
exercises. There were eighteen grad
yates. Three of these received the
degree Of bachelors of arts, five the
degree Of bachelors Of civil engineer
ing and ten the degree OF bachelors Of
arts. Only FIVE of the number deliv-
cred an GRAFTON or a thesis. Thus ex
e%rcises which are usually long if not
tedious were limited to a reasonable
space Of time, and none in attendance
were fatigued in the slightest.
Eugene Frederick Fuller, Of
s%omerville, Tennessee, delivered a
thesis on "Tba Ooneoryot;on IL