Signal-Copiahan. (Hazlehurst, Copiah County, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1886-05-13
MEREDITH MATTHEWS.
The 37th Anniversary Of Phi Sigma Literary
Society Of University Of Mississippi.

Society OF University OF nisnssippL :,
+ Last Friday, the 30th OF April,
was the day set apart by Phi Sigma
society to celebrate her, 37th brit.
day. The beams of the morning
sun fell over the green rolel earth
liks shafts of golden light, resting
like a dream on the last few vesti-
gcs of dead winter and'a few pearl
hearted clouds hoatcd lazily along
contrasting beautifully with the blue
quiet of our Southern sky. Alta few
minutes before 10 o'clock, the order
to "fall in line" was responded to
by the members of the two societies,
and Phi Sigma unfurled her glorious
banner, tn be FURNISHED by the dan.
cling sunligl., and kissed by the soft
April brcezes ladened with tho fra.
GRANGE Of flowers, blown from every
conceivable spot. Headed 10y the
Oxford Brass Band they marched
up To the courthouse, where the
beauties and gallants of Oxford and
North Mississippi had assembled t.
greet Phi Signals orator. Tho men,
bers of the societies marched into
the courthouse by twos, and hearts
throbbing with pride, the members
OF Phi Sigma, and in fact, all the
student body, awaited the coming of
T, the orator of the OCCASION, all feel
ing that PHI Sigma could not have
bestowed her highest honor on one
more worthy. As the town clock
pointed the hour of IL, the annivcr.
sarian, Mr.. J. NJ. Matthews, leaning
Oh the arm OF the honorcd and wor-
thy Chancellor, Gen. a. y. Stewart,
followed by Prof. Edward Maycs
and Mr.. John Barksdalc marched up
the aisle greeted with the widest APP
plausc. After the prayer by Gen.
Stewart and the soft sweet strains of
Scwancc River that always carries
US back to those good old times
",hat were aud are no more,' had
vibrated through the arches and
columns of the building and died
away, Mr.. John'H. Barksdale in his
usual and always happy manner,
presented 10 the audience Phi Sig
mas honorcd son, the one she had
chosen from her worthy sons, one
and all, to represent her on her day
of fcstvi,y and JOY, Mr.. J. NJ. Mat.
thcws, who was greeted with no or
binary applause. From the time he
began his speech until its close, the
audience hung with almost breath.
less delight upon the eloquent words
that fell from his lips Mr.. Mat
thcws spoke Oh "Murena Pulveris,
or the Gifts of the Dust" To say
that he surpassed all his former ct.
forts and surprised aud delighted
beyond their greatest expectations,
his most sanguire friends, would
not begin to do justice to his superb
effort.
1t was the expressed opinion of
the entire audience that Mr.. Mat.
.hcws speech cycellel any Grafton of
the kind that has been delivered or
many, many days. We predict for
the young gentleman bright future
and tina, indays to come he will
speak to larger audiences on greater
topics. After the speaking was ov-
or, NJ. Matthews extended cordial
invitation to few friends to join
him in y diuncr which they all &C.
ceptcd.
1t is conceded fact, that to "thc
boys" five dinner is the most ac-
ceptablc thing in the world, and you
can jus, ask some Of thcm.aaont II,
We can't fnl words to express what
dinner We h.d.
The b,ll that followed that night
was one Of the most enjoyable and
brilliant affairs that has taken place
in Oxford in some time, a very wor'
thy tribute to Phi Signals most
worthy orator. May Phi Sigma,
the University and tile orator grow
in prosperity aud success. To them
all we wish long life and happiness.
Oxford Eagle.
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