Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-07-01
UNIVERSITY.
TIE CLOSING DAY OF COMMENCE
MENr.wREK.
Delivery of Diplomss-spsech Of Judge
Yenner- Governor Lee Responds to
Call.
fReported for the Dispatch.l
UNIvERsITY OF VIRGINIA,
- On 1924

juno 80, 1886.
To-day the diplomas were delivered
and the professional and academic de-
erees conferred in the presence Of
very large audience. The platform was
occupied by the Board of Visitors,
members Of the faculty, and distin-
puished alumni. Governor Lee occu-
pied o seat at the right Of Chairman
Ver.ble, and took great interest and
pleasure in the proceedings. 1t was g
Gala time for the "boys," who were
marched to the front under the escort
of the ushers to receive their sheep
skins, and pleasant time tor their fell
low.students, who did not fail to give
rounds Of generous applause.
The names of most Of the graduates
have already appeared in the Dispatch,
and the remainder follow here: Civil
Engineer, r. G. Berkeley, Jr., Morgan
town, W. Va; N. S. Clunet, Balti-
more, Nd; j. S. Miller, Dublin, Va.
Mining Engineer, II. Hardaway, Chula,
Va. Bachelor Of Letters, James N.
Anderson, Of WILLIAMSON, s. O.. (;
James W. S. Peters, University Of Vr-
GINA. Bachelor Of Philosophy, Alfred
II. Byrd, New York, N. Y; James w.
S. Peters. University Of Virginia. Mas
ter Of Arts, Beauregard Boaz, Coves-
vile, Va; Upton w. Muir, Louisville,
KY; James w. S. Peters, University
OF Virginia.
Colonel Venable announced the
session of 1886 at q close, and
called Major Charles NJ. Blackford,
President Of the Society Of the Alumni
to the chair, who introduced the orator,
Judge Charles +. Fenner Of Louisiana.
II may be added here as an interesting
fact, that Judge Fenner, Major Black
ford, and Senator NOW judge Howell
E. jackson Of Tennessee, were NOM
bers of the class Of '53. In introducing
Judge Fenner, Major Blsckford said
that through the former the generation
of thirty-three years ago would speak
to the generation Of to-day.
Judge Fenner said that he had been
aided in his choice Of subject for his
address to-day by the fact that thirty
three years ago be had stood in that
place as the orator Of one Of the lite
rary societies Of the University. Then
be had gone little beyond the dictum
that all possible good would come to
pass, and proclaimed that all good was
possible, and that there is an immortal
Spirit and hereafter. He stood here
to-day, after the lapse Of many years, to
testify that the faith of his youth i;
unchanged and Interchangeable. This is
time when the philosophy Of the CON-
monplace is despised, when reverence
is lost art, and eccentIicity a virtue
a day of strange doctrine, whose shib.
boleth is 81 know that | know no
thing" He then discussed ably the
various forms OF philosophical unbeliei
and replied to some of their assaults
upon religion.
At the close Of Judge Fenner's ad-
dress Governor Lee was called for.
Major Blackford said 81 heard
that call for Lee. When the sons oil
the University assemble what could be
more appropriate than that the Gov
ernor of the State should be in theil
midst, and what could be more appro'
pirate than that that Governor should
be named Lee 2"
Governor Lee said: 81 heard tina
call for Lee, too. Laughter | also
saw Colonel Venable motion to the
band, and / am very much obliged tC
Professor Weber for the lively air ht
played. Laughter was once called
on to make a speech in medical con
vention, and Just as | arose the band
struck up Nearer, My God, To Thee.
Laughter. And | was lead to my
fate among all those doctors in highly
nervous state" lie said that it had
been years since he had been to the
University. Then he was fresh from
Appomattox with his parole in hi:
pocket, and upon entering THU
hall had been called upon for 8
speech. Then be had "nothinG
more to say, which was better
than this speech" Since that time
there had been many changes and The
chaplets of victory for the South have
been missing, but no land is superior tC
ours, and no great general, from Gus
tavus Adolpbus to Wellington, had LED
grander soldiers. lie had come here t
testify TO his interest in education, a.
he believed it to be the duty Of the Ex
ecutiye of the State to show his interes
in the States system Of education. A
great work is being done here and {
glorious light is shed over the State from
this place by the splendid graduates Il
sends out. 1t is said that the STATE
contributes largely to the support o
this school, but does not the Univer
sity contribute to the State? When th,
balance sheet is drawn it will be seer
that the University Of Virginia does no
owe the State Of Virginia, but that tn,
State owes the University.
When Governor Lee took his seat !
bugle call rang through the hall ii
compliment to the gallant cayalryman
which was followed by deafening ap
plsuse. As the applause subsided tn,
band struck up with "Dixie," tn
cheers were renewed, and for time tn
scene was very animated one.
Tonight the final ball occurs, to
last festivity OF this celebration season
This commencement is ii nearly ever,
respect an improvement on others G
late years. The music has been good
the speeches good, the attendance good
The illuminations Of lawns and build
ipgs has added no little to the comfor
and pleasure of the crowds who hav
thronged the place nightly.
Mr.. j. X. Campbell having resigne,
the proctorship, Major Green Peyto
was elected to fill the vacancy.
James NJ. Baker, principal Of tn
High School at Abingdon, was chose
librarian.
DR.. W. B. Towles has been slecte
to the Chair Of Anatomy, made yacan
by the death Of the lsmented DR.. job
StaIge Davis.
DR.. James F. Harrison having re
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