Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-06-27
KNOxvILLE.
Commencement Week at the
University Crops, Improve
ments, Railroads = Personal,
Etc.
KNOxynLE, Tenn, June p, 1883.

There are commandments and com
mencements, but to the public mind
they are all very much the same. Il
is not ny purpose in an off hand bit Of
letter to upset this popular convic
ton, but as the University Of Tennes-
see is State institution, and the
legitimate successor to Blount College,
chartered in 1874 by the first General
Assembly Of the territory South Of
the Ohio" and it is attended by many
students from Memphis and other
parts of West Tennessee, the COM
mencement of this week Is worthy Of
more than passing mention. The his
tory of this institution is closely in
terwoven with that of the State and
Of the Southwest, and the present
standards of instruction, it may safely
be said, compare favorablyI with the
best of the age.
The 3accalaureate Sermon to the
graduating class was delivered Sunday
night at the operahouse by Rev. Moses
Hoge, of Richmond, Va. gentleman
of great ability and earnestness.
An address was delivered Monday
night by Rev. John L. MollOy, before
the literary societies, and an address
was delivered Tuesday night before
the alumni by A. V. Goodpasture,
Esq I, of GAINESVILLE, who was gradu-
atod at the university eight years ago.
These various efforts were. lhighly ap
preciated by large and intelligent
audiences.
Wednesday, the 10th, was com
mencement day prOper-the seventy.
sixth that has been observed since
Blount College was founded, which
was before Tennessee became a State
and was admitted into the Union. 1t
was SO arranged by Rev. DR.. Humes
aud other members Of the faculty that
the exercises we're comparatively brief,
beginning at 8 am. in the Operahouse
and closing about II o'clock the same
morning. The exercises were spirited
and everything was done in a
precise, sharp, business like man
ner. The crowd was large
critical and interested. Members OF
the Faculty, Board Of Trustees. Board
of Visitors and invited guests occu
pied the stage. There were seven
graduates. Some read thesis, others
delivered an original grafton. The
young gentlemen discussed some Of
the problems of life and practical
ISSUES OF the day in searching, com
mon sense style, that could only be
acuNired by habits of thought con
necteI with and arising from Q serious
purpose to do and to be something in
the world. The graduates received
many floral tributes from their ad.
miring friends in the audience, and
will 60 forth not only with good
wishes, but well equipped for the pur-
suits in which they may engage. The
exercises were interspersed With eK-
cellent music from the University
band, led by Professor Knabe. The
degrees we're conferred by the PreGi-
dent IL atimely address Special honors
were awarded by Prot Lockett, the
benedictioh was pronounced-the
commencement for 1883 was over. The
university is Improving in many re
spects, especially i'd the mechanical
and agricultural departments, and is
in q fairly prosperous and encouraging
condition. The policy which has long
obtSined is to give solid and
practical rather than SNOWY super
6cial education.
Knoxville is growing steadily, sol
idly. beautifully. Manufacturing in.
terests are largely on the increase, and
the opening OF direct rail cOmmuni-
cation with Louisville has already
given the place quite an impetus. The
trip is made in about IL hours, and
similar connection will soon be made
with Cincinn IT, The population OF
the city is not far from 20 0O0 and there
are no houses to rent. Several fine
hooks for business, as we'll as many
res; dences, both costly and plain, have
been built ia Knoxville since so many
Memph,;s people waited and watched
here and u around East Tennessee 10
1879. Those who have not been back
since would see much now to admire
in the way of improvements. Only Z
year ago was here, 81 the place II
quite home like and natural to me
Since then great tragedy has cast 1t!
long, lingering shadow over the place
AN event which cannot be forgotten
by this generation, and which is said
to be made use of very freely and I'M
fairly by Mark Twain in his forth
coming book, life on the Missis
sippi,"
Walking out before breakfast Mon
day morning, before the crowds begal
to stir, l happened to turn into a pic
ture store on Gay street, a little beloV
my hotel, the Hattie House. There
Just within The door, bright and gam
and cOurtly az in lite, stood the almos
speaking picture Of General Josep
A. Mabry, who fell near tn
spot on the opposite side Of the stree
Musing over the historic past an
going back to the long ago Of lSe
when as q beardless young man hs
had my frst Confederate Upiforr
made at the house of which he 90
then head and moving spirit, | took
step or two further aud there stoo
the smiling, beaming semblsnoe {
Major Tom 0'COnner. These men
had known we'll in life and as til
world goes they were my friend
Each one had impaired confidence
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