The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-01
DANVILLE NORMAL COLLEGE.
Graduating Exercises of the Ninth Scientific
ClaSs-0utlines of the Addresses.


bers, six ladies and seventeen gentlemen. In
age they are a younger class of students than
usually graduate from this college, and possibly
compare favorably with other classes in the
breadth of their culture. The class "a has been
accorded the supremacy in mathematical ability
and undoubtedly surpassed any other in general
culture. More of the members have succeeded
to positions of Importance than of any of its
predecessors. After the invocation by Ed. u.
c. Brewer, the class was introduced by the per
son in charge, Miss Cedoro Liewellen.
The first speaker, A. NJ. Wagner, of Milton,
Ind, discussed 1.-THE Dawning of Science
Whether not the theory of evolution is true,
we cannot deny that mind and man have risen
from primitive state until they have reached
their present state Of supremacy over the sur
rounding world. The objects of natures crea-
ton are the same as they were when first
the world was swung into space, but
with man and animal there has
been continuous growth. Man gains the
knowledge he possesses through slow and steady
work Every myth must pass away and be su-
perseded by realities The sciences were borc
Graded and nurtured as it were, in the wilds of
ASIA and will only be perfected with the ad-
vance of time
"The Lessons of Agassiz's Life" were carefully
taught in a most pleasing manner by Miss Leo
Fuqua, of Casey, Ill. The early home and sur
rounding of the great naturalist were such as to
inspire man with the idea of something Won
derful in the world around him. The wonderful
and picturesque scenery of the Switzerland Alps
awakened within him a desire to know some
thing of the composition of the earth, the man
ner in which it assumed its present form, the
ages at which different portions made their APP
pearance, as we'll as learning the names and
habits of the vast worlds of BIRDS beasts reptiles
and minerals. His whole nature was imbued
with the idea of giving the world Of science
knowledge almost unQuestionable in regard to the
mysteries of nature.
j. II Conrad, of Shamokn, Pa, took the
audience on trip to THE Sum-" told them Of its
wonderful composition, its effects upon the solar
system and attempted to give them an IDEA of
the chemical composition. its wonderful spots,
rivers and lakes, hills and valleys. The spectre
scope reveals to the world Of science many famil-
lar substances in the two gases surrounding it,
and even in its composition we find many Of the
most familiar minerals and chemicals.
Miss Lottie Doggy, of Danville, Ind. told that
Life in Nature" is so broad, SO wonderful. and
so iucomprehensible the wonders and marves
most intellectual men to spend their entire lives
in solving the mysteries of life. Nature is won
derful, but life is mysterious, and, though one
has said that, on account of action, there is a
physical and chemical change, accounting for
how and why grow, the shroud has never
been lifted from the wonders Of life, and we
shall never know the real causes of how we
come to exist. how we grow, or our exact destiny
until death shall have solved the problem for us.
"The Ethics of the Legal Profession" were
John Grove
asserted that it is necessary for a lawyer to be
in possession of rich store of legal lore, and not
depend upon his books, even though he knows
the exact page and place in which to find the
subject under consideration. The lawyer was
shown to be the defender of society the dis
penser of justice and the rewarder. Of both evil
doors and the workers of good.
W. HI. Riley, GeneSeo, ILL.,, discussed "Wick-
edness in High Places" The crimes of men in
bygone ages are so conspicuous that they appall
the student of history, and make him look upon
his own age one of untold rottenness among
men IN prominent positions. Were it not for
public sentiment, and the restraint thrown
around persons by political organization. the
scenes of ancient Rome would be re enacted in
our midst The suppression of crime among
men of official position is the one great subject
of reform, and is receiving the attention of all
lovers of good government.
Miss Mollie Randebush of Harrison, Ohio,
gave reason for THE Best Wine Coming Last"
by showing that all look forward to happier days
and more prosperous times. The fruit tree first
puts forth lis leaves tH hen its blooms and lastely
comes the fruit. Our early lives filed with
little pleasures and few real happinesses. but as
we grow older the real pleasures and earnest
cares crowd upon us in rapid succession until
finally we are called to enjoy the sweets of
heaven, clearly showing that the best wine was
not intended to come first
j. w. Dudgeon, Rushville, Indiana, told us
that MEN are Truly the Creatures of Circum-
stances" They endowed with faculties of
which they would travel were it not for the
power of development. ''The Ordinary and
Extraordinary" were brought out in clear
view and the great of our country were divided
into these two classes.
The "Phunnv" man of the class, j. w. Web
ster, of Rushville Ind, displayed his humorous
nature by talking on the subject of Oats" He
first showed the ludcrous side of the question
in happy and pleasing manner, eliciting much
applause for his remarkable ideas and original
way Of putting them. Then the habit Of sowing
wild oats was carefully reviewed, showing the
evil effects of bad habits and the likelihood of it
leading to life of unworthiness and failure.
The subject of Arbitration" has been jis-
cussed much, yet G. w. Leek of Allendae
ILL.,, presented it in an effective way. He showed
that the advancement of the human race, both in
morality and civil affairs. were reasons why
should no longer resort to arms to settle national
difficulties. The good effect of the Geneva set
Element of the Alabama trouble, and the Web
sterAsh burton treaty, were cited as times when
conflicts were avoided The ,inhuman practice
of the strong suppressing the weak, when all
trouble could be terminated by more humane
and sensible method, should become a relic Of
the ages when men knew no better and now,
when the intelluctal sun shines upon us, let
brotherly love bind all nations together. He
asserted that lifetime would come when all
troubles between nations would be settled with
out the aid Of the sword, and generous feeling
exist between ali powers
1t is unnecessary for ayoung man, surrounded
as he is by books and possessing an energy such
as he does to spend his time and money in
gaining knowledge of the dead languages The
education should be in certain line. directly in
the course of the vocation he intends to pursue.
Special schools are 80 prominent and doing such
a grand work as to make it possible for all to
gain an intellectual and physical training sufi-
Gent to guide him successfully through life:
Edinburg, Ind, in his remarks on "a Practical
Education"