Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-06-04
EDUCATIONAL.
courxScxusxr WEEK AT THE UNI.
vxnsrry or NORTH CAROLINA.
pistineaished Persons Prtsent -Dialectie
Society Debate Medals Awarded
Judge Van wyek's Address.
ov,..uopaence Of the richmond pispatchj

Society QtU0tt~ hVN1to aW"s~
Judge Van wyck's Address.
tcou~spopdence ofthe Richmond pispatchl
CnArEL HUI, June 3, 1885.
Commencement week at the University
nj North Carolina has opened well, and
there il large crowd attendant upon the
exercises.
In the Dialcciic Society on Tuesday eve
ming assembled lie scvcnty-five regular
members, together with number OF IT, dis
ilneuishtd visitors, among whom were
Governor A. NJ. Scales; Hon. A. Van
nyck, OF Brooklyn; DIR. Eugene Grlssom,
Hon. q. V. Strong, DIR. Thomas skinner,
and Hon. II. II. Battle. az Raleigh; Hon.
Paul Z. Cameron, OF IIillsboro'; Colonel
Paul u. Means. OF Concord; DIR. +. H..
Prirhard. OF Wilmington, aud Colonel VIII
liam johnson, Of Charlotte.
The occasion was the debate. and all the
deba;ers acquitted themselves handsomely.
The question was, "Shouid the United
States Government Allow Foreign Capital
10 Bulld Canal Across the Isthmus OF
Panama." and was decided In the mega
tive. Addresses were made by Governor
Scales and other alumni.
In fitting and appropriate words Dr.
Cri.som presented the debater's medal TO
Mr.. W. A. Self.
The declaimer's medal was awarded to
i'll. Crowcll by Colonel w. T.. steele, OF
Rockingham, who spoke words OF wisdom
and gave sound advice.
The ossayist's medal was not presented,
owing 10 the absence Of ITS recipient, Mr..
O.C. Odell.
After awarding the diplomas President
II. n. starbuck. Of Winston, declared The
house adjourned.
JUDGE VAN wYCH's ADDRESS.
To-day Judge Van wyck, Of New York,
addressed the Phiantbropic and Dialectc
Societies In the Memorial Hall, erected TO
the memory OF the late President Swan
and All the eminent dead who have been
associated with the institution: The foi-
lowing isan abstract OF Judge van Wycks
address:
He contcnded that our progress was due
10 aud could only be preserved by the
education Of man az a mortal. thinking,
speakIng. and social free agent.
lie touchlDgly referred to the emotions
awakened end memories revived by the
first visit to his ALMA mater since gradua-
ton: the commingling OF the Thoughts OF
the dead and living, and feelings OF sadness
and pleasure.
He was there in obedience 10 the ever
imperious demands Of sincere gratitude
10 The venerable institution which had al
WAYS been intensely loyal 10 the mission OF
nrnjng her children with the helmet OF
knowledge, shield Of morality, spear OF
incisiye thought, and the untarnished
sword Of honor, for the perilous march
over the limitless PLAIN OF human activities
even unto the golden gates of the world TO
come. That the Memorial Hall 10 y0dr
great and distinguished dead. though new
in construction and fresh from the handi-
work Of the mason, was rich and Pristllng
with the wonderful traditions OF great
state.snd natiOn-the great achievements In
the struggle for mans advancement on this
continent.
He described in vivid terms the all-ab-
sorbinr excitement OF the civil war at the
time he entered the College, paying
glowing tribute 10 the gallantry Of the sol
dicrs Of the North and South, cOngratulating
the Young men Of this day that no such dis
turbing surroundings interfered With their
studies. and that the bloody and wasting
revolution, Angry offspring OF conflict
ing int. rests and ideas. had forever settled
the questions that had so long mon0poiZed
The American mind 10 the exclusion OF
Others most needfill. The sequel was grand
and strange. without parallel In history
these hostile forces brought together as
brothers Of old. having tie same ardor for
and pride i'm the same Uulou, constitutions
aly indestTuctIble; rejoicing that there is
"a stsr for each State aud State for each
Star" upon the flag Of our common country,
aud that the spirit Of fraternity reigns su-
preme throughout a country so great: that
heart and intellect have conquered hate
and prejudice that this matchlesS result
was attributable 10 our wise scheme OF gov
tInment, the enlightenment OF an edu.
Gated people, ana the peerless honor OF
those who wore the blue and gray; that !
man, according to the Bible and science,
was IKE last in the order OF GRAFTON, aud
was made free agent van mind to think,
voice to sreat., and vitality to act, and
.h. "a dominion over all the world, ami
mate and inAninate save his fellow-mau-
master Of the elements-fre, air, light,
and water-docie slaves OF his s0ve-
reign will A; that these immeasurable
blessings were contided to man not
for selfish purposes, but in trust
for his own and his follow-man's welfare
and advancement, and imposed their cor
relative responsibilities. the performance
or neglect Of which constitutes progress OF
rctrogresslon. These benefaclions impei
man nearer to Divinity than all other living
creatures. lie can use these these rich gus
but must obey the laws supreme over theul.
Holy record reveals that the neglect OF
such responsibilities resulted in the eXpul-
son of man from the beauties and COM
fonts OF Eden and the destruction oil all
EXCEPT single family. Whether this story
is accented or not, history reveals that a
wopdrous development OF wisdom. chal-
lenging our own boosted civilization, was
attained In Greece and transferred t. Rome.
Grecian civilization and culture were due
10 free institutions and popular education
among her free citizens and higher educa-
ton among her philosophers. Tree
agency made intelligent Roman love OF
conquest aud spells, restricted In time free
agency, and decay Of learning and ciyillza-
tion ensued, and mighty cloud OF decline
covered the face Of the earth with blight, a
black night Of desolalion, TO human hopes
and progress.
A failure to appreciate the responsibility
of self to self and TO others finally de-
stroyed free will; and free thought. ex-
preston, and action were enslayed. The
contest between Hellenic civilization and
Oriental desrotism was renewed, and the
struggle for freedom Of thought, express
sion, and action had to be fought over.
Man had 10 strive with himself against the
sureIstitions and preiudiees which hover
ed around his birth with others for the
right OF expression. ard with rulers FOR
liberty Of action. The rights belonging to
an intelligent free agency were slowly ne
covered, and the discovery OF America
was the foftuitous culmi0ation OF the
struggle where liberty OF thought and
speech were crowned with the freedom oi
action. A new race was created on TIL:
continent which was stronger men
tally and morally. Great effects are due
10 great causes, and not small ones. The
tea tax, OF Hight burden, was the mere
spark that set aflame the accumulated spirit
OF free thought 10 the colonies, yoicing the
principle Of free agency and founding {
government thereupon all men were
born with equal right 10 enter the race o.
life and contest before impartial judges fol
the prizes, great and small, and that th'
people were soyereiRns-a government 0
collective thought. This great stride II
human progress rested upon developed
thought, men trained for the contest an'
clothed with the wisdom Of the ruler. Th