The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-03
UILLTAH md NfRT.
commencement EXcrclses-Addrcss OF Mr..
Nyndham Il. Meredith.

Our city IS filed with visitors TO the college
commencement, which began last night with
the celebration Of the philmathea Literary
society. About nightfall n storm came up
ana ram fell in torrents accompanied by
brilliant electric display and for time IL
looked like 1t would seriously interfere with
the exercises but after a while the cloud
lifted aud the crowd began to assemble, ana
hy 9 O'clock the chapel was filled to It's ut
most capacity. The college building and the
chapel are beautifully decorated The large
pillars supporting the arches over the main
entrance are covered with alternate stripes
Of the college cOlOrs, yellow and white.
About T. NJ. Rev. J. II. Ms of the
Methodist church, and assistant Professor of
languages, offered up a prayer after which
blr. X. +. l.. Watkins. president of tho so
clety, arose. and in graceful manner vel
coined the audience and thanked them for
their presence. lie then introduced Mr.. Page
Van X. Stires Of Norfolk who declaimed in
frst-class style The Two NagabOnds. He
was followed by Mr.. n. NJ Branch, who ac-
quilted himself in very creditable manner.
EssAYJsT MEDAL
The contest for the e.saysts' medal then
began and was contended for by Mr. Percy
S. Stephenson aud by Mr. w f.. Lacy. which
proved TO be a battle in which Greek met
Greek. for on account Of the almost perfect
manner in which both Of these young men
u
night for the committee of award 70 decide TO
whom the medal should go, but deferred the
matter until tonight at which time they will
announce their decision.
ORATORS or THE MEETIEG.
The orators Of the society were then intro
duced the first being Mr. =. u. Lipscomb,
whose subject was Progress of Civilization
The audience did not fail 20 show Its appre-
citation by frequent Outbursts of applause
la
Ohio. who chose as the theme of his disc curse
The Lost Cause from Northern stand
point lie spoke in a clear and fluent man
ner. and at the conclusion of his address was
the recipient of numerous compliments.
When the band struck mp Dixie the ap-
plause was almost deafening.
sURJEcr FOR DFBATE.
The following subject for debate was then
announced Resolved. That the National
Government should adopt a compulsory
system Of education" The Affirmative was
represented by Mr.. B. W. shelton. Of Nor
folk and the negative side was presontedby
Mr.. G. 5. Fowles, of Lancaster. The debate
was creditable all the way through and it is
but Justice to Mr. FOwles 10 say that his
effort on this occasion was exceptionally good,
and his presentation of his side Of the ques-
tion was considered by critical judges as ex-
ceedngly strong. The immense audience
were lavish 10 praise. and the participants IN
the debate were literally overwhelmed with
bouquets the gifts OF their fair admirers.
MEDALs CONFERRED.
Al the conclusion Of the speeches set for the
occasion General William b. laliaforrO came
forward. and i'm a few well-chosen remarks
presented the medal for improvement IN de-
bate 10 Mr. James n. hempe, and Tor I'M
pro,oment in defamation to Mr.. A. G.. Eos
ter he dccimmer's medal was presented 90
Mr. Stres of Norfolk, and from the thunder
Gus applause which greeted this announce
ment Mr. Stires seemed 20 have host Of adj
mirers
Mr.. Johnston was then awarded the orators
medal. and he debaters medal was adjudged
to Nr. f0wlos This concluded the exercises
for the evening. which were highly enjoyed
by tho large crowd IL attendance.
ExEEcisEs AT THE COLLEGE.
To-day Mt y o'clock the college bell an
nounced that the hour had arrived for Te-um-
ing public exercises. Soon the chapel and
the library, which been made practically one
hall by opening the huge folding doors
which connect them and removing the large
staiued-g glass somi- circular transom which sur
mounts them. was filled with an audience com
poseC largely Of the elite of our town and visi-
tors from various parts OF the state.
The walls o. the chapel We're adorned with
the names ia evergreen of Jefferson. Madison,
Monroe. Reeves. Wythe, Tyler and other
knowledge and who have reflected honor
upon their nation, their State and their alma
mater.
MR. MEREDIrHs ADDRESS.
The audience had gathered 10 hear the
gifted and eloquent Wyndham X Meredith
who had been billed 10 address the literary
societies of the college. This gentleman was
introduced 10y Alr. Iazewel Taylor OF MOI
folk president of the Phoenix Society.
"a .uhIeaf which tho orator selected for
discussion was Colonial Culture in virginia.
After q very chaste and beautiful lntrOduc-
tOu the speaker proceeded 10 combat the
assertion often made and as often failing OF
proof. that the early settlers of Virginia we're
an ignorant, shlftess set.
Taking up the assertion. which he quoted
from Rev Edward ID. Neils Life OF the Col
lege to have been founded at Henricus, which
says that from that time 1920 there were
two distinct waves Of immigration, the educa-
ted and relg giOus pIeterring the Northern be-
cause King James had made the Southern
penal colony vagAbOnds and the destitute
yearly increased and the desire for schools and
churches propOrtionately decreased" " the
speaker went on 10 show that this assertion
and others Of like character rejecting upon
the intelligence Of the early settlers of our
State were made without the least shadow of
foundation III truth and were the boldest and
most outrageous peryersiOn OF the facts
When the Grafton WAS concluded loud calls
were made for the silver-tongued orator, Hon.
James l.. Gordon, who was seated on the
rostrum Mr.. Gordon came forward. ac-
knowledged the compliment paid him and
said he would be recreant to himself If he
did not give expression to the feel
ines of Joy and gladness which filed
his breast in witnessing the new era of pros
perity which his old Alma Mater was now en-
ioying. lie spoke feehngly Of his college
DAYS and paid a beautiful and touching
tribute to the life and services of Colonel
BENJAMIN S Ewell, the emeritus president
Of the college The mention of his name was
a signal for loud app lause.
Tie gavel then fell and it WAS announced
that the exercises were concluded. but would
be resumed again tonight, when the Ph0nl1
Society holds its final celebration.
NEW NORFOLK BUILDINGS.