The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-07-06

sratifled to say that the young lawyer
still lives. and though not so young, he
has lost nothing in his mastery over
the human heart by his burning words
Of eloquence. II gives me the greatest
pleasure to introduce to you Hon. John
M. Bright, OF Tennessee.
Mr.. Bright started out by saying that
he esteemed 1t a very great privilege to
be present on very occasion. He re-
mernbered well his visit on n former oc-
casion. but many changes had taken
place since then. Faces, such as those
Of the elder Greir, nemphill, Pressly
and Lindsay were no where to 6e seen
now, but younger men had arisen and
taken their places. He was mindful OF
the diversity Of tastes to which he was
this day to cater. The field was so
large and the subjects so inexhaustiblc
he hardly knew where to begin. He
proposed, however, to call their attcn-
ton especially to the Influence Of Lit
crature on Nations" The speaker then
went into his subject with II familiarity
that was astounding. and lrf. no part
untouched. His remarks on the litcra-
ture Of Greece, the works Of Zoroastcr,
the Koran and the Bible. were particu-
larly enjoyed by the audience. lie
spoke for an hour and fifteen minutes,
and showed to every one in that time.
that the elements which go to make up
an orator were not wanting in him.
We never remember to have seen
more graceful speaker. Every attitude,
every gesture, was grace itself. '!he
audience paid very good attention, and
the speaker can congratulate himself
upon his effort. Mr.. Bright is remark
ably we'll preserved man for his years,
and has n very classic head and fore
head. We trust he may be preserved
for many years III his accustomed health.
SO that he may continue his work in the
field Of usefulness.
Dinner
After the close Of Mr.. Bright'a ora.
ton DR.. Grier announced that there
would be recess for two hours and re-
Quested the audience to assem- bic
promptly ut that time, as it was annoy
ing both to the speakers and those who
wanted to hear. to be interrupted by
persons continually coming in. The
audience was then dismissed and the un-
bounded hospitality Of the good people
Of Due West asserted itself. The invita-
tions were so cordial that oae almost
wished he could he in half dozen places.
at once and eat as much as six men. n
more hospitable people do not live upon
the globe, than the people Of this vicin-
ity, az can bc testified to by thousands of
visitors 10 their annual literary feasts.
Wednesday Afternoon.
The audience assembled promptly
and the other three young men who
were to graduate, Messrs. Peoples, Sloan
and Bell, acquitted themselves with
great credit. The oration Of Mr.. IT, w.
Sloan, on "Uncrowncd Queens seemed
to be particularly enjoyed by the audi
ence, especially the fairer portion Of it,
as ut its conclusion it was greeted by a
storm Of applause, and the speaker was
covered with flowers. After the con-
clusion Of the speeches by the young
men, DIR. Greir proceeded to deliver his
baccalaureate address, which like every
thing he does or says was exceedingly
good. We give it in full.
DR.. Grier's Baccalnurcate. O.
Young Gentlemen: 1t is possible for a mani
to be q scholar and yet be u very useful mem!
IL
philosopher, learned In the mysteries OF the
causes of things, and yet be utterly destitute
OF the fundamental elements of lofty char
acter. Education Is valuable just ns 1t con-
tributes to develop and strengthen the moral
ns we'll as the intellectual nature. AN cdu-
Gated young men, the public will hold you to
Il rigid account not so much for what you
know, ns for what you do
Approaching, ns we trust we do, the perils
right eeinning let me suggest to you and
commend to you an old rule for your guide
nncc. 1t is the Simplest, safest and most uni
to be right. This Will not secure you against
ng-doing-very far from It.. The world
than those who were fulfilling the imperative
obligations OF this elementary principle. But
while this is cheerfully conceded It cannot be
persons have been charitubly Judged just be-
cause OF their conscious reclitude and their
loyalty TO their sense OF duty.
This rule Is easy Of application. AS gen.
eral fi,ct the morality of an act is its most
clearly defined feature, and hence the most
Ell character it-pessesses. A II other qualities
of conduct depend on circumstances thai are
proverbially variable and contingent: What
may to-day contribute to my pecuniary ad-
ment and bankruptcy. That which to-day
ton may tomorrow be denounced ns selfish
and mercenary. Cast yonr eye over society
and select some one Of It's temnPorizing con,
lar feeling. What subtle cnlculutions there
are to reach conclusions in which every body
will concur. And then look a little longer and
see how often with oil their mnneouvering
they arc chagrincd with disnpp0in tment-
how often nre they reproached not only with
failure. but rs cowardly timc-serverS a II,
then, you would escape this laborious Nt}sAls
ngenient accompanied as It is with the m Srtic
Tying consciousness OF weakness, never be
ashamed nor afraid to do what you believe to
be right. Having intellgcntiy determined
your course OF conduct by u reference to tho
sacred injunction nf conscience you will rnre-
ly have reason to dcvintc from the path murli-
Ell out. The rule theI, Is simple and ensy.
(2) by adherence to II sou will give unity to