Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-06-09

bined energy of six days to create
this planet, the abode of man. Man
walks erect. Man has a hand that
he can use with much dexterity,
and is thus distinguished from the
lower animals. The highest type
of the physical beauty of mankind
is in woman, and right here we will
make the side remark that the
young orator waxed eloquent In
celebrating that point. Mans
mind was powerful. Here he de-
livered a florid eulogy on mind.
Mind had carried man safely
through the dangerous attacks of
skepticism and preserved the
Christian faith. Mans physical ma
ture was akin to the animal. Men
tally he stands alone, but in his
moral nature he is God-like. Moral
heroism was the greatest of manly
attributes. The speaker here made
a touching allusion to Matte Ste
phenson, who sacrificed her life
during the yellow fever epidemic
Of '7S in Memphis. He concluded
by saying the highest type of the
beautiful was in God. In Him GEN.
tiers all perfection.
Mr.. Boyd was the favorite of the
ladies his glowing language and
resonant periods delighted them be-
yond measure, and, in return for the
compliment he paid them, they
declared that " his speech was just
too beautiful for anything"
The speaker following Mr.. Boyd
was Mr.. e. w. Fay. Mr.. Fay is
quite young, just seventeen, we are
told, yet he was the only graduate
who took the degree A. M. The
subject of his grafton was 1.-THE
Song of theAWorld." He was ear
nest and spoke, no doubt, his sim
cere belief, but we are inclined to
think he was out of accord with his
practical hearers. He thought
"money-making" was the song of
the world, and didn't seem to have
much admiration for such music.
He deplored the spirit that debases
everything else to mOney-getting,
and was particularly severe on the
fortune hunter who marries for
gold. We have before remarked
that his speech was free from the
ford language that characterized
Others, and we can add that he was
very fortunate in his literary allu-
sions. He mainly lacked practical
bility, and is probably a better stu
dent than he is speaker. He said
education was an end unto itself,
and deprecated the utilitarian idea
that sought to make it means for
mOney-getting.
Mr.. T. w. Gregory, the last
speaker, was not on the platform
when the exercises were opened.
| He had tainted on the streets two
days before, and it was not known
whether or not he had sufficiently
recovered to make his grafton.
Just before Mr.. Fay begun to speak
he appeared in the hall looking pale
and interesting, and was escorted
to the rostrum amid the loud APP
plause of the members of his soci-
ETY.. This gave something of dra-
matte effect to his appearance and
lent his speech additional interest.
His subject was. 1.-THE Old Order
Changes" He began his speech
with very apt and pretty illustra-
ton that formed fitting introduce
ton of his theme. Then followed a |
flow of curling comparisons and
contrasts, with rather free quota |
tions from Headley's Mount Tabor.
He spoke of the great improve
ments of the age. Boston and Chi |
cago whisper their secrets into each |
others ears. Some of the political |
changes didn't afft rd so great a
source of congratulation. The fraud
ulent Hayes was in striking contrast
with Henry Clay, who had rather
be right than President. The spea-
ker then turned his attention to the
New South, and spoke real elo-
quently of this section of the Union.
We are marching under the guiding
wand of the spirit of John G. CAL
hOun to position of great power
and prosperity. We are proud of
the promises of the new order and
cherish the memory of the old.
Mr.. Gregory is well supplied with
that quality that the boys some
times denominate "gall," which
being interpreted, signifies an easy
assurance, amounting almost to au-
dacity. He was perfectly possessed
during the delivery of his speech,
and bore himself with much grace.
His speech was far from original,
but was tasty compilation of pref
ty things, bright and, to some de-
gree, free from the smell of the
school room. Considering his ora
ton in this light, with his really
delivery, the decision was
just that gave him the first prize.
1t is well enough to mention in
closing an account of the speeches
that all the young gentlemen were
literally rewarded for their efforts
with flowers, arranged in beautiful
bouquets, baskets, etc.
After the speeches Tuesday night
Hon. Rufus Rhodes was called up
OH the rOstrum and presented Mr..
Gregory with a gold-headed cane,
as token ofregard and esteem from
the members of Stewart Society.
Mr.. Rhodes made the presentation 1
at the request of the Society, and S
did it with his accustomed grace.
WEDNESDAY
was commencement proper. The :
opened at Ga. m. DiplO- ,
mas were delivered to quite num- T
Der of young gentlemen who grad
lated in special branches, and de- :
yrees were conferred on Mr.. E. w. @