Montgomery County sentinel., 1882-06-23
Commencement.


"Pray who was there?"
"Why, all the town and court.
The house was crowded; and the busy fans
Among the gaily dressed and perfumed ladies
Fluttered like butterflies among the flowers =
The sixtieth annual commencement of the
Academic Department oil Columbian Uni
versity was held at Lincoln Hall, Washing
ton city, ON the evening of Wednesday, the
14th instant. AS usual, II large and cultured
audience was in attendance The gradu-
ating class, though small in numbers, was
composed OF talented young men, all of
whom go forth well equipped for theii life
work.
The exercises were opened with an invo-
cation by Rev Mr.. Butler. A Latin Saluta-
tory, the second honor of the college, was
then delivered by Mr. Chas. ii. Butler. In
sty.e this Uration was pure and flowing,
wlfle the excellent pronunciation of the
orator rendered its translation of little diff
Guilty to Latin scholars of ordinary prof.
cheney.
Mr.. Butler was followed by Mr.. Mason
N. Richardson, who spoke on the subject,
"The Old and New Civilization" Mr..
Richardson is evidently believer in human
progress, and in this really good address,
which was supplemented by very pleas
ing and graceful delivery, the prime thought
seemed to be that our civilization preserves
the good of the past, while excluding, to a
great degree, the defects, and adding much
that is both new and good.
When the applause had died away, MIR.
Orlando G. Wales addressed the audience
on the subject, "True Ksthetic Cul
The spirit OF this discourse was highly ac-
ceptable to those who believe in the cul-
tivation Of the taste for beauty, but who de-
ny that such taste consists of an inclination
to do as does nobody else, and desire to
write poetry whose chief feature is its lack
of sense Among the sturdy blows for com
mon sense was the following: "For in
stance, every dingy red or muddy yellow,
not by any virtue Of its forming part of
the beauties of nature, is brought forth as
tlsliiona6te-raved over by people who have
seen hundreds OF country fences and barns
painted the same color"
The audience next listened to digniied
and able Grafton on "'The Progress of Peace"
by Mr.. Edward Dent The subject was well
treated, politically and morally.
After musical interlude Mr.. Charles H.
Butler spoke upon "Ihe Limitations to Lib
erty." The distinction between liberty and
license was well drawn, and the speaker
showed an accurate knowledge of the great
principles of moral philosophy.
The next Grafton, on "True knowledge"
by Mr.. Arthur l.. Keene, did honor to its
author, and received the hearty praise of all.
Mr.. Keene contends for education of the
heart as well MS the head, for true learning
and not its base counterfeit, so current in the
present age.
Mr.. Edison A. Lowe addressed the assem-
bly, on "The Formative Period" touching
on the creation of the world then on the
origin of life, and finally discussing the
'Iormative periods" of nations. The hearers
testified their appreciation by long con-
tinued applause.
Again the ear was pleased with harmonious
strains, on the cessation of which Mr.. Lowe
delivered the valedictory, the first honor.
This was followed by more music. The
prize medals were then awarded. The Davis
medals in elocution were won, the first by
Mr.. Lowe, the second by Mr.. Wales. These
medals were given on the merits of the ad-
dresses of which we have spoken except
the salutatory and valedictory. Mr.. Lowe
received the medals in Greek, Mathematics
and Metaphysics. The medals in Latin
Anglo. Saxon, Debate, and Parliamentary
Law, were won, respectively, by Messrs
Butler, Hodgkins, Harris and Church. Ger
tificates and diplomas were presented to
those deserving them. Degrees were then
conferred by President yelling upon the
following gentlemen; A. M. upon Messrs.
Butler, Keene and Lowe; b. S. upon Mr.
Dent. A benediction closed the pleasant
exercises of the evening and the gratified
audience dispersed.
LEE DAVIS LODGE.