The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-06-22
ERSKINE COLLEGE.
CLOSE OF ANOTHER SCHOLASTIC YEAR.
ScIf-A Running Account OF What
Was Done at Due West Yesterday.

This is Wednesday the great day of the
feast when many diSniarieS and an innu-
mcrahe company of lesser lights are present.
The morning was overcast and ominous.
The clouds seemed ready to pour ont their
contents. But while before the time for the
exercises to begin the sun came out clear and
bright, bringing gladncss and pleasure to ev-
cry heart.
Due West had on her best holiday attire.
The sidewalks were throngPd with visitors,
and the roads leading from all directions were
iull of vehicles bringing their precious
fIrighiS. The crowd were all intent upon one
thing, seeing all that was To be seen, and upon
enjoying all they saw.
As the campus of ErslIlne College is ap-
pronchrd the crowd becomes larger The first
Thing that strikes yon on going into the cain
puS is the new building which Is rapidly 60
ing up. II stands on The site of the old one.
All over The yard are pl les OF brick, lumber
and stone which are TO he used in the build
ing. No adequate conception as 10 how the
building will look when completed can be
had at present. but an idea of It's immensely
may be had when we state that IT. fronts lJO
feet and runs back ~ feet. The heighth will
be the same az that Of the old building. The
entrance will be by three large doors In the
centre. As you enter and turn to your left
you will find yourself on the stage OF the new
commencement hall. This hall will be larger
than the old Lindsay hall. The auditorium
will be 7lxlO0 feet and will be capable OF ac-
c0mnodatng comfortably over llO0 people,
men ncemcnl hall would seat comfortably. On
your right as you come in Is the Presidents
private office. In the second story will he II
library, laboratory and recitation rooms.
There will be thirteen recitation rooms.
The style OF architecture is Moorish. Mr..
J. f. benson of Washington, Is the designer
of the building, and is experimenting It's coll
struction.
The Comnencem exercises for this yrnr
were held in the grove in the rear OF the Lind
say Hall. 4 stand had been erected for the
speakers. and benches arranged for the au-
dicnce. The faculty feel lot to offer the
friends OF the Institution such poor accom-
modations. but they hope that their friends
may come back next year. when we will have
plenty Of room TOR you in the new col
iege, which will soon rear It's proud head
where stood for fifty years the Old building
whose history and associations carry us back
to the infancy of the college and remind us
of the noble spirits who inspired them with
the desire to establish this College and whose
energy and self Sacrifice brought the lrultlon
of their hopes.
The old building and It's founders now live
only in history and tradition. The affection
for former things has been transferred To the
new. and all eyes are now looking eagerly to
To the future.
Three orations were delivered by members
of the graduating class, and they acquitted
themselves with credit To the institution and
10 the pleasure OF their hearers.
But the speech OF the day was yet TO come.
\ II looked toward with great expectation to
the anniversary Grafton which was TO b. de-
iycrrd by Mr. ". c, MCGOWAN Of the ADJe.
vile Bar. He has fine reputation as an
orator and the whole audience expected
much OF him and they were not disappoint-
ed.
Stepping TO the front DR.. Grer introduced
the speaker as follows:
For many years Judge Samuel MCGOWAN
has been connected with every enterprise Of
AbbcviIle county, which was worthy Of his
support He has been with us time and
again. II gives us the greatest pleasure To
present TO this audience the son Of such a
inan. II is gratifying Indeed 10 have HIM
with us, 10 speak to MS. AND may we not nope.
nay may we not say. that the interest in this
Institution has descended from father 10 son
introduce 10 This audience rs the speaker Ol
the day. Mr.. W. e. MCGOWAN Of Abbrvilic."
He was greeted with II storm OF applause us
he came toward on the stand.
After thanking the members or the TWO
Literary societies for the honor conferred
uron him, he said "t am proud Of AbberiiIe
County, proud OF this old State Of ours, and
we have reason to be proud. Tor we have pro-
ductd some of the greatest men that This con-
lincnt has ever had. Such men as Calhoun.
James l.. Pettigru, Hugh :: l.cgare ana many
other men eminent for their learning But
am proudcr of f.rSkine College than OF any
thing else in Abbcvillr.' He spoke OF its
birth and growth. and ieelngly did he speak
OF the late attempt, for Il pallry sum oi mon
ey to remove the College To Il distant pnrt OF
the STATE. lie was greeted frequently with
applause.
lie then announced rs his subject, Illegal
study" \ knowledge of law Is useful and
beneficial In every department OF life. H. Is
nrcdiul to The minister, the doctor and the
merchant. lie illustrated this point by quo
tuIiuIIS from the works OF some OF the most
noted lawyers Ot all ages.
The next point which he touched on was
that il drrclnpcs Christian character. Ihih
he dWrit on nt some length.
AS public men knowledge OF law VIII nc
inGiSprnSlble To you. On lnlS last point ne
spoke most Iurriiply and clupucnily. lie SAID
we have SprriHliStS in every department OF
science, but many seem 10 think that amy
body has sense enuh.h to make laws Tor the
country and all lie needs Is Il little popular
lly.
This short synopsis gives no idea of this
finished speech. IL WAS Il mastery ellOrt, or
nate with the most beautiful language and
cviuccd the deep interest the speaker had In
his subject. 1t WAS every word from the
heart This speech too was delivered under
difficulties for he was interrupted by showers
ol rain He was listened To with most care
ful attention, many people sat III The ram
while lie spoke.
The next. and last thing of the morning was
the delivery Of The diplomas To the young
men of the graduating class. In lis farewell
speech To the class Dr. Grlcr seemed AT MS
best Ills speeches are always characterized
on these occasions by II deep and profound IN.
lrrrst in the future of The young men with
whom lac is parting. For years he has been
associated with the members of the class III
that very intimate relation Of scholar ana
teacher, and IL Is with Il lathcrly bcncdlctlOn
that he bids them adiru.
Thus closed the exercises for the morning.