The daily state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 188?-1891, 1890-05-31
GUILFORD COLLEGE.

The Commencement Exercises...Ad.
dress by Chief Justice Merrimon..A
Delightful Occasion for all Partici-
ants.
(Staff Cor. of THE CHRoNICLR)
One of the loveliest situations for an
educational institution which we have
ever seen is in Guilford county, six
miles from Greensboro.
Nature has layishly bestowed upon
this spot variety of beautiful and at.
tractive scenery.
The trustees and teachers Of this
school fully recognizing the natural ad.
vantages of the situation have done
much to improve the grounds by erect
ing first-class builings and beautifyine
the place with shade trees and flowers.
it Is not our purpose to give q des-
criptlon of the grounds and buildings of
this college for We intend at no dis
tant date to give a full description of
the institution.
Wednesday morning, the 2Sth inst,
by ten o'clock, Kings Hall was we'll
hlled with about eight hundred of as in.
telllgent looking people as ever congre-
gated to witness the closing exercises of
any school.
1t would, perhaps, be we'll for us to
say that the school, while it is under the
auspices of the Quaker church land a
better class of people never lived in any
State than the Friends,) it is undenomi-
national IN its teaching, and pupils from
all denominations are admitted to this
school.
Without any show of style or lot of
unnecessary preliminary arrangements,
but with proper religious opening cere-
monies, the exercises of the day began
by President L. Lyndon Hobbs announc-
ing the programme of the graduating
class, which was as follows:
Oration-The Pan-American Congress
David White, Jr., of Guilford College.
Six other orations were rendered by
the following young gentlemen and
ladies':
Irrigation in the west-Augustins
w. Blair, of Archdale, N. @.
Individualism or Nationalism-Miss
Jessica Johnson, of Tennessee.
The Negro Problem-H. Hermon
Woody, of Guilford College.
Robert Browning-Miss Susanna Os-
borne, of Centre, n. G..
Michael ADgeio-John 7. Benbow, of
East End.
The Lane of the Conditioned and the
Conditioning-Leonard G. Van Noppen,
of Durham, N. @.
We would like to comment On the
above orations, but for the want of space
will have to refrain. Suffice it to say
that the subjects were we'll chosen and
treated.
One thing, however, which attracted
our special attention during these ora
tions, was that all the oratory was by no
means confined to the young men for
the young ladies who spoke proved
clearly to our mind that, by proper
training, woman can take her place in
oratOry by the side of men.
After the speaking, President Hobbs,
In few appropriate remarks conferred
the degrees and presented the diplomas
to the class.
Chief Justice Merrimon.
The President then presented to the
audience Chief Justice A. s. Merrimon,
who for over one hour entertained Al
appreciative an assembly of people as we
have ever seen.
1t was not q written address pre-
pared especially for the occasion, bu,
entirely extemporary, we'll suited fol
the occasion.
He spoke of the necessity of every on,
obtaining an education and more partic
ularly the farmer; and how importan
it is for every body. regardless of hi
avocation, to read and elevate the mind
He impressed upon all the policy o
placing the mind in position to sug
gest how to act intelligently.
/ In addressing the class the orator il
plain language urged upon the class tn
Importance of ever having for thei
main guide through life pure mind an
religious heart.
He said he would not give q snap fo
a man or woman that could not so liv
as to give the falsehood to slanderou
tongues; that the main thing to do wa
to be sure and have the heart right an
there would be nothing to fear 80 far 8
this world is concerned.
We do not hesitate to say that it wa
one of the finest speeches it has eve
been our good fortune to listen to, an
y just such an one as might have been e,
Q pected from the Chief Justice.
Z Another important fact which tn
a Judge impressed upon his hearers we
l. that We were not put here in this worl
:. to be selfish but that it was our duty
a help one another. We wish every bod
!, in North Carolina could have heard th
"a splendid speech.
=. After the speech, dinner was serve
in the large and spacious dining roo
of Founders Hall. 1t was good sol
is substantial dinner and every body pre-
ent was made to feel at home.
Il. B. Fl.