The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-05-24
The Augusta Male Academy.
O1IMEN CEMENT EXERCISES. ADDRESS
AWARD OF MEDALS.
FReported for the vIRG1N1AN.1

FReported for the VIRGINIAN.
The annual commencement OF the Au-
gusta Male Academy occurred on Tues
day, the 18th, in the Pavilion, at Fl, De-
tiance, which for the purpose had been
kindly granted to the school by Mr.. George
Crawford Notwithstanding the Indictment
weather large crowd was present.
EAt half-past 10 o'clock, all were COM
fortably seated by the attentive marshals,
Messrs. Arthur Wilson and Jno. Sale. The
morning was devoted to the celebration OF
the anniversary of the Jeifersonian Liter
AIRY Society, of which the officers are &. III.
Mccormick, President; n. Bacon, Vice
President Martin MadduX, j., Secretary.
After music 10y the ID. ID. & B. |. Band,
President Mccormick introduced the
speakers in a few appropriate remarks.
Mr.. j. r. Hevener led off with a salutatory,
and was followed by Mr.. p. 5. Roller, who
delivered the final Grafton, his subject be-
ing The light of other days. Mi. X. is
a graceful and attractive orator.
MI Robt. l.. Jones then read an original
essay Of rare literary merit on England
in the DAYS of the Saxons.' He was sue
ceeded in regular order by the following
disclaimers, Messrs. All. Warwick, Geo.
II. Bell, c. S. Peterson, }. W. McCurdy.
c. III. Gillteson and A. G. Miller, who ac-
quilted themselves admirably.
Next in order was the debate on the
question. WAS Brutus justifiable in the
assassination of Caesar The affirmative
was argued by Messrs. E. l.. Sublett and
John A. Hartman, and the negative by
Messrs. II. l.. Denny and Il. j. Randolph.
The discussion exhibited unusual abil-
ity on the part of the debaters. 1t WAS the
most able school debate we have ever
heard The speakers were not only logical
and rhetorical, but exceedingly graceful
and magnetic.
The society programme was closed by n
valedictory from Mr.. Nathan Parkins. son
of Jno. H. Parkins, ESD, OF this county.
1t was exceedingly pathetic throughout
and evidenced rare literary and oratorical
powers. Daring the entire programme
(which lasted about four hours), the au-
dience's attention was closely held, the eX-
ercises proving both entertaining and prof.
table.
An intermiSSion WAS now given OF about
Is minutes. and the hunger OF the speak
ers and audience WAS satisfied by an
abundance of the most skilfully prepared
.,,, al, AZ of thn IFt De-
fance neighborhood.
After recess the house was called to order
by Prof c. S. Roller. who proceeded to
read II long list OF pupils that had taken
high stand in their examinations. Next in
order Prof. II. awarded the medals. E. l..
Sublett, son of Mr.. p. b. Sublett, Of Stalrn-
ton, took the highest scholarship medal as
the best general average and the highest
on examination, his average being over 9S.
Scholarship medals were awarded to the
following for an average of over SO w.
J. Slower, OF Baltimore, Geo Bell OF Mt.
Sidney, and c. III. Gilkeson, of Fauqier.
The debater IS medal was awarded tot. j.
Randolph, Of Front Royal the declaimer's
medal to A. C. Miller, of Clark; orators
meda'to p $. Roller. OF Rockingham land
u medal was awarded to Nathaniel Bacon,
of Greenbrier county, for being the best
speller, he having mis-spelled but one word
during the session. The medals We're all
of gold and of beautiful design. The 'eX-
ercises were closed by the annual address
delivered by Col Chas. Il. O'Ferrall 1t