The state chronicle., 1893-06-08
COMMENCEMENT DAY
6hasr94 :
Yesterdays EXERCISES AT
THE UNIVERSITY.
The Graduating Addresses The Med.
ais Awarded Degrees Conferred
Large Crowd and a Successful Com.
mencement.

CHAPEL HILL, n. G., June g.
Commencement wasqshered in with
cloudless weather, ls1 Ea concourse
OF visitors, increasing with each
Train, and the general unanimity
and good feeling that always per-
vades the University Commence
ments. Tuesday was Alumni Day,
together with Glass Day. The ex-
ercises OF the Alumni meeting were
held in Gerard Hall, and were
most enjoyable despite the warm
ness that envelopes everything.
A large crowd is present, which
increases with every train, and
assumed its largest proportions to-
day.
The exercises in the morning were
devoted to the Alumni and memo
rial addresses On Joseph j. Davis
and Walter L. Steele, delivered
by Hon. T. G. Fuller and Judge r.
T. Bennett.
President Winston outlined the
exercises for Commencement, and
then the opening prayer wss offered.
Col. Thos. S. Kenan, president of
the Alumni Association, took his
seat and called the meeting to order.
He then introduced Hon. T. G. Full,
Ter, whose address upon the life,
character and usefulness of Joseph
y. Davis was most excellent effort.
Judge Fuller said that he was per-
sonally acquainted with Judge
Davis in his youth and should for
that reason alone be an impartial
Judge OF his character and impulses.
de was born in Franklin county,
April 18th, 1928. He described his
family and ancestors, his early life,
school days, college life, and how in
1850 he obtained the degree of
Bachelor of Law and entered the
bar of North Carolina. Judge Full.
ler ran briefly through his devotion
to his clients cause in law case,
his conscience always standing
ahead of all other attributes; that
he was no brilliant genius, but his
fidelity, moral courage and practice
of christianity led him to the high
est success in the walk of life he
had chosen; in this he was assisted
by the general affection and conf
dence of all which his purity of
character had gained for him. No
bribes and threats could appeal to
his firm and upright nature.
He was no skilled and eloquent
orator, but yet he had that inestima-
BILE power of holding the attention
of his audience on any and every
subject. His relation to the civil
war was next described; how he be-
came soldier with only captains
commission, never seeking promo
ton, although active, intelligent and
we'll informed in military affairs.
In 1868 he was besought to become
a candidate for Congress This he
refused. 81 have promised to stay
with my men and that promise 1
will keep" was his answer to Judge
Gilliam's offer of judgeship. In a
gallant charge at Gettysburg he was
captured and imprisoned until the
fall of the Confederacy. During the
troublous reconstruction period be
was honored with the highest con-
fidence and esteem by the people of
his State; he was thrice elected as a
member of Congress, and as a crown
ing honor, the choice of the people
fell upon him as the Judge of the
Supreme Court of North Carolina.
When this was finally ended the
general verdict of the entire State
was "Well done thou good and faith
full servant"
He was ambitious, he sought
Office, but he was no intriguer, for
he honestly believed that with the
leverage of power he could be most
useful to the people he represented.
"Public Office is public trust was
his maxim. His life bears the stamp
of honest, faithful and able service,
and by these he gained the ap-
plause Of friends, respect of oppo-
nents and love of all classes. In
times when corruption stood forth
his pure and noble nature with
stood all trials; his nature was mel
lowed By kindness, charity and gen
erosity. His moral courage and
purity never forsook him in any
danger; his fine form, noble char
acter and quiet manner ever be-
spoke the true gentleman he was.
In 1892, surrounded by wife and
friends, the silver chord was broken,
and the soul returned to Him who
made it. It may well be said Of
him as of Joseph OF Aramathea-
"Behold a good man and just"
Hon. r. Z. BENEFITS address on
the life of Col. Walter L. Steele was
also fine effort, and was highly
enjoyed.
Wednesday morning--It rained
hard last night, somewhat de-
creasing the crowd at the Repre-
sentative speaking and at the an
nual reception in the gymnasium.
DR.. Winston received the visitors
at the latter. Several hundred
shook his hand and congratulated
L.: .ao b;o o,coors for the mast