Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-06-22
RAND0Lpu-M
THE cLosIEG DAY or THE coAMEEcE-
MINT SEASON.
The Speech Of Major W. T. suthsrlia-rhs
Diplomas, Prizes, &c.-rhe wash
ington Society.
Correspondence of the Richmond D.pa.ch.i

Correspondence Of the Richmond Dlspatch.l
ASHLAND. VA, June 81, 1883.
The exercises Of she commencement we're re-
eumed to-day a. 1z O'Clock. The weather was
oppressively warm, but on account OF the new
arrangement OF soats In the chapel this was not
noticed ms much as on former occasions The
band escorted The Board OF Trustees aud faculty
from the society building 10 the chapel and tho
exercises we're opsned by prayer from DR.. Cor,
Of the Baltimore Conference. "Come 70 the
Church" was eweety sung by tho young men.
President Smith introduced as the gentleman
who was to address ths societies. not In ora
torical words but In practical talk. Major w. I.
sutherlin, OF Danyille. He VAS giyon the hand
kerchief salute and responded spontaneously
with an immense baEcaDa. which was freely
used during the morning In q manner which
brought forth applause.
Major suthsriin is most delightful speaker.
and his words OF wisdom fell upon good ground.
The mono;ony Of educational statistics was
broken by repeated happy illusions 20 the col
lege. He would Often throw aside manuscripts
and dwell upon the humorous. Tho address was
genuinely practical lie spoke OF the great phi
lanthrOpists who have lived and died in this age,
who, although uneducated mon. we're now the
greatest promoters OF the cause OF education
Peabody he considered the greatest man Of that
sort Education ia the refining hand maid OF In
dustry. Few men ever attain eminence in more
than one thing lie would. therefore, have tho
young men 10 follow tho branch Of study which
bears upon the profession or pursuit they in
one thing. Education makes, he said, fools as
well as men.
GRADUATES.
AZ the conclusion OF this address President
Smith called the following graduates before him
and addressed them in "a touching manner. His
words we're full OF the most valuable advice and
the deepest interest. He was truly himself, aud
prayed that the young soldiers now armed with
the weapon would make n noble fight for this
Christis college. and with God Bless You. Ny
Boys.p he conferred the degree Of Master OF Arts
upon Messrs. George Shipley. Of West Virginia,
and J. C. Martin, Of Richmond, Va: Bachelor of
Arts upon p. b. Winfrce, Rev. J. W. Howell
Paul Petit, Q. ID. Harris. W. ID. Macon. and J. Z.
Dolly.
The highest honor in the literary work Of Ran
d0lph-Macon College was conferred upon Mr.
George Shipley, OF West Virginia, who received
the Pace essay medal. Mr. shipiey has one Of
the brightest minds evsrknown az tuis college.
The southern orators medal contested for on
yesterday was presented TO Mr.. +. W. CroNder.
OF Baltimore. Nd, amid the most gratifying APP
plause.
The monthly prizes for best written articles
went 70 George Shipley. G.. ID. Harris, and A. NJ.
Hughlett; the senior English prize 10 d. b.
Easter, OF Ashland, he having handed In the
finest papers In the class Of English ever seen at
this college the senior Greek prize went 20 j.
}. Leake ofAshlsnd. The senior Aath 10 A. NJ.
Bughlett, Of Virginia.
Best gymnsst Is Howard ". strickler. Of Viz
giDia: aud best physique. a. examined by Shr-
gent. Of Boston. Is G. D. Ragland. OF Virginia
Tho Wa hingtOn Literary Society had its cole
brstion tonight G. ID. Harris spoke upon Tho
Melissa BombOuss.n This gentleman repre-
ssntel the tlme-hOnored Washington Society in
an able manner.
The Hon. Charles T. O'Ferrall addressed the
WashinEtO Society. II Is useless 70 state that
his speech WAS an eloquent Outburst o. thought.
Mr.. O'Ferrall took for his subject "Laoor, the
Price Of Success" and in a most glowing and
eloquent manner euogiSed tho men who have
given 10 tho world the benefit OF their genius.
H. spoke OF the invention Of the cOttoo-gin, tho
ssUing-machlne, steamboats,, aud the con-
struction Of railroads a. means OF bringing to-
gether the various psrts % the world.
The speaker paid glowing tribute 20 the min
istry. he next took up the statesmen and
soldiers OF various lands who have been orna-
ments 70 thoir nations, praisng Bismarck, Glad
stone. and Thurman ~ the greatest statcsmen,
and sherman and Johnston as soldiers His
speech vas excellent throughout.
Tho Board Of Trustees adjourned tonight
They authorized the immsdiate erection or pur-
chase OF = new home for the president Of the
college. Had they adjourned imme ciately after
doing this II could be well said that they had SC
cOmplished much. However, they authorized
the raising Of = fsnd 10 build new loeture-hIl
for the department Of natural science. and mako
no discrimination ~ TO denomination OF stu
dents In fcOe ministerial education here. This
has always been privilege 20 the Methodist de-
nomination, but II has now been extended 10 all.
The board is IN good spirits, and In all their ac
tiOn utter satisfaction with tho vast improvement
going on here.