The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-09
MEMPHIS LAW SCHOOL.
INTERESTING COMMENCEMENT Ex-
ERCISEs LAST NIGHT.
Remarkable Standing Achieved by the
Graduates-An Average OF 100 All
Round-Judge Morgan's Address
Eloquent Remarks OF Judge Sneed.

fairly numerous crowd witnessed the first
commencement OF the Memphis Law
School, which, though but year old, vim
5icated its right to exist by graduating a
class, well equipped for success in their
chosen profession. AS announced by
Judge John l.. T. Sneed, the head Of the
faculty, every one OF the graduates went
through course Of study begun fourteen
months ago, and each Of them had TO go
through an examination in writing en-
bracing l,Ol7 questions and remarkable as
1t may appear every man OF them made an
average Of 100. This speaks we'll OF the
thoroughness OF tho instruction that OBJ
tains at the college and the intelli-
gence and industry OF those who received
their diplomas last night Judge r. L.
Morgan, Judge l.. p. Cooper and Mr.. John
7. Houston occupied seats oil the platform
with Judge Sneed, and the following
young gentlemen ofiicated as ushers: A.
Ii. Falls, Q. X. Strain, Ollie Williford, Nj.
V. McFadden. Quite number OF ladies
were present and listened with interest to
the papers read by graduates, especially
that OF Mr.. Lands on Marriage" sub
ject Of never failing freshness to the femi-
nine mind. A lady unknown to Mr..
lands was so well pleased with his essay
that she sent him a bouquet OF flowers,
: the only floral gift OF the evening.
The exercises began with an essay on
Ancient and Modern Tenures," read by
its author, Charles Weston Frayser, who
not only displayed an intimate knowledge
OF his subject, but covered vast deal OF
ground within brief compass OF space
and time. He was roundly applauded
when he got through, us were all who
followed him.
HUGH STEWART HAYLEY
followed with an essay on factions at
Law and the Pleadings," which was also
n fine piecs OF condensation, COMPRISING
within brief limits comprehensive re-
view OF the law upon the subjects treated.
Nr. llayley's paper was well written and
reflects credit upon its author.
DAvIDHAY NIXON
read paper on the Law OF Contracts,
which proved conclusively that he also
had well improved the fourteen months
devoted 10 his law studies He traced the
evolution OF the law OF contracts from the
Book Of Genesis down to entity and Par
sons on the same subject. and presented
his matter clearly and with intelligence
and skill.
MR.. hI.DERT EDWARD NELSON,
principal OF Nelson's Business College,
and young man Of fine presence, read an
essay on Negotiable Paper, which not only
evinccd deep research and careful thought
but which had the additional merit OF be-
ing present in a good, fluent, readable style
Mr.. Nelson traced the history OF bills OF
exchange from 1894 down TO the present
time and expounded the present law on
the subject 80 clearly as 10 place his mean
ing within the reach Of the humbest intel
lcct. As Mr.. Nelson does not propose to
practice law. but intends to lecture on
commercial law Mt his own college, he is
10 be congratulated upon having the
faculty Of intelligent exposition 50 clearly
developed. lie will undoubtedly make a
good law lecturer.
GEORGE s. lands
discoursed upon "The Contract of Mar.
riage." and as delivery was graceful and
his articulation deliberate and distinct, he
succeeded In making fine impression
Mr.. Iandis's matter was well written, and
embelished here and there with touches
Of sentiment naturally inspired by his rev.
erencc Tor the subject.
This concluded the exercises OF the grad
yates, one OF their number, Mr.. Edmund
Randolph, being absent
Judge X. J. Morgan followed with an
address, from which extracts are herewith
presented:
JUDGE MoRGAN's ADDRESS.
Young demonstrating a. do here
tonight in your presence 10 say a few words
10 you rs you leave this study hall toenter
upon the striics and contest Of busy life. /,
your senior in years, say TO you that the
race OF life Is 10 be won by earnest aud de-
voted study. The man Of genius, so.called,
lcycr won prizes by natural gifts or by
AAc force of genius unaidcd. IL Is the
Dubious thinking man that is the success
iul man In the professions. The college,
with It's graduation, only prepares you 10
enter into life. II you stop work and cast
away your books, Il you rely upon what
you have already acquired and trust sim
PLY 10 your own experience and observa.
ton, you will find In the end that you
have not won the race or secured the prize
recognize the fact that many, perhaps
too many, books have been written, aud
that many persons rely simply upon the
accumulation OF knowledge aud do not
devote thought and critical investigation
20 the subjects that come In review before
them. This Is probably true. But the
great fact remains that knowledge comes
through our experience aud the experience
OF uintfh. HOW Unlltu ~ our OWL NlalOu,
aud how scant the knowledge We draw
from our own experienced Without the
great help II books and the benefit TO be
derived from their study we would find
ourselves circumscribed by our own OBJ.
scryations and the traditional teachings OF
those who have gone before us.
Tho man Of learning need not be less OBJ
servant or less practical because he has
moro sources from which 10 draw the
knowledge for n successful prosecution Of
Ais profession. Indeed. II he be worthy OF
Sho confidence Of the public ho will draw
lessons Of wisdom from any source. We
know but little and can learn but little
FROM our own limited resources. Science
and knowledge have aided US In every
<ossiblc way. They have enlarged our
vision; they have opened our ears, and
have strengthened our stammering speech.
We sec now hundreds OF miles where for.
mcfy We saw only d short distance. We
can now hear the whisporings Of friends
or the demands OF trade, or the progress oil
science at distances heretofore incredible
even 10 the Imagination. We can send
the burning words, the lofty sentences
the proudcst thoughts across oceans and
continents as fast M electricity can ilasl
FROM cloud 10 clond or from earth 10 sky,
"Not from one low cloud.
\ HIT cvcry mountain now hath found tongue
y And fcr answer. through hei misty shtond