The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-06-30
PHI SIGMA PRIZE CONTEST.

|
up very well.
| PHI SIGMA PRIZE CONTEST.
The night OF June the 10th is set apart
| for the sole benefit Of Phi Signals budding
orators, accordingly, when this time came
| the chapel was crowded with the beauty,
grace, and intelligence of Oxford, assisted
in large measure, in the first and second
counts by the flocks of young lady visitors.
These have come upon us like the locusts
| of Egypt, in such countless numbers that
even Sophs. are in demand. The Prep.
| fairly revels in anticipated delight. At
$50 the Ok ford Brass Band struck up, and
Phi Signals eleven chosen disclaimers
marched in with the Chancellor. After a
short appropriate prayer by Rev. Mr..
| Harris, Gen. Stewart announced that the
| Elocution medals, called respectively the
| "H. NJ. Sullivan and r. A. Hip medals,
would be awarded Monday morning, in
stead OF at night as at first announced !;
| thus increasing the already great interest
| in the Sophomore contest. Then he intro
duced L. L. Fitzhugh., of the University of
| Mississippi, who opened the speaking with
the "Fate of Virginia" This young man
has a magnificent voice and perfect repose
of manner, in fact he h Is a little too much
repose, he needs animation. Then as J. J .
Stevens, of Augusta, Miss, came forth and
spoke ''Surreys Dream" in a strong vibrat-
ing voice, we did not have to shut our eyes
TO imagine PERRY county" Was before us
Ii Mr.. Stevens had been trained he would
be one of the best speakers in school.
After him came the "tall pine from Choc
taw" alias Walter Spiva, who spoke
Southern Chivalry" with a natural, I'm
pressive manner. However, we do not
think he did himself Justice as he has a
fine record as a declaimer, being medal
man OF last year. He got his voice on too
high pitch and the end was abrupt He
was followed by j. L. Logan, of Abbeville,
who pronounced beautiful "Eulogy on
r. E. Lee" Mr.. Logan has, We think,
the most musical voice in school and with
proper culture could become beautiful
declaimer He did well with the exeep-
ton OF swinging his hand. Next, E. b.
Pierce, of Oxford, recited "0ne Niche the
| Highest" He made very good gestures
but didn't seem to get into the spirit of his
selection. Then NJ. U. Mounger, of Voss-
burg, delivered Ben HILLS "Stars and
Stripes in full, round tone He gets
thoroughly into his speech, but lacks cul-
ture and grace in gesticulation. Next was
little Walton Shields, of GreenvilIe, who
with distinct enunciation made an earnest
s'Plea for Southern Hero Then f. w.
Pickens, of Goodman, spoke on the eek
clusion of Confederates from the q. S.
Army" He has clear ringing voice and
speaks very forcibly, but in rather erky
manner. Then G. q. McGee, Of Columbus.
stepped forth, struck an attitude and rem
dered "Spartacus to the Roman Envoys''
to the Queens TASTE" He is a really good
speaker, with dramatic talent, but is rather
stacy with his sudden starts and theatrical
positions. Next came s. III. kimmons, of
Oxford, who gave us the "BIack Horse
and His Rider" We are almost as tired
OF this as we were of "Regulus," last year.
MIR. kimmons did it up very well, though
and il he had proper training would be a
strong speaker. Last, Lee Spence, of
Holder, made an eloquent sPlea for the
Union but his voice Is weak and we think
his selection rather lengthy. After the
crowd was dismissed the committee of
judges, consisting of Judge Kimbrough,
Prof. Mayes, Capt. Falkner, Rev. Mr..
harris and Mr.. A. J. Smith, made their
decisions by ballot, the result of which
will be announced to -night The judgment
OF the crowd was more divided than we
ever have seen before. There were about
nine speakers to whom somebody gave one of
| the medals, but we have heard more speak
of Fitzhugh, Logan, McGee and Kimmons
than of any others.
SUNDAY NG-coMMENcEaENT SER
MON.
The morning Of the 29th dawned dark
and threatening with little showers but
this did not prevent large crowd coming
out to hear Bishop Thompson, and by
eleven O'Clock the chapel, first floor and
galley. was crowded with well-dressed peo-
pie. The Episcopalians had charge Of the
service and gave us as usual excellent
music The Bishops powers as sacred
orator are too we'll known to need comment
here, but his admirers say that he sur
passed himself on this occasion. He Sc
lected practical every day text and
treated it In very uncommon manner
growing SO vesy eloquent in parts chat
some of the congregation were half raised
from their seats. Many said that it was
ho finest uor.ra<s~r fkov ovar a.