The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-21
ar RICHMOND COLLEGE.
The Mu Sigma Rho Society wins the Con-
test.

test.
The literary societies Of Richmond Col
lege held a Joint oratorical contest In
the chanel OF the building last night.
A cultivated audience was In attend
ance, and evinced their interest In the
two societies by their kind and attentive
nresence The exercises OF the evening
we're opened with prayer by DIR. Hiden.
nastor OF Grove-avenue Baptist church.
PromntIv at $50 Mr.. j. d. Hart, OF Ten
nessee president OF the Philoiogian So
c,etv introduced the first orator. Mr..
q q. Mcdaniel, OF Virginia. This gentle
man announced as his subject "Retrogres-
siou of Civilization In the Past. he
handled his theme In mastery style.
tracing the gradual rise and flourish OF
modern nations He pointed out many
interesting and notable changes, which
deserve the consideration OF passing
ages. Mr. Mcdaniel alluded TO the fact
that in emulation OF the example OF the
freemen of America other nations were
destined to have government oy tne
people, for the people. He spoke twenty
minutes, and delivered good oratioh.
The Mandolin Band OF the college next
rendered a well-chosen air.
Mr.. c. w. Duke, Of Virginia, was next
introduced. His subject was. IAN Euio-
pv on Milton, the Poet" The speaker
said that John Milton needed no pane
q>ric 10 perpetuate his name. he COZ
trasted the Glory and Light of Engish
literature with Homer, and showed that
tho latter was a product or his tlne,
ubila the former was strangely out Oh
harmony with his time and surrounuihss'
Milton. said the speaker, couid make our
eexihIe Language yield to his magic
touch Mr.. Duke said It was In epic
noetrv that the blind bard appears at MS
best. ,,. .ror,
Tho sneaker made a splendid enort
and delivered a most ornate anu III
structiye Grafton. Mr.. c. "A. Boyce' VI
Richmond was the third orator OH t,e
nrogramne. He announced as MS SUD
e., .rhe Triumph of the Constitution
If liberty" Mr.. Boyce made patriotlc
reference to several great American
statesmen whose rames will for all tu-
,ur;tv he the brightest landmarks OF tne
mast from whom succeeding ages shaii
derive their rarest inspiration. Inc SPEAK,
er's theme was presented in gracetui
language. and bristled with apt STATE
| ments. o,,
At this juncture the mandolin again
| sounded forth its sweet strains 10 inc
applause OF appreciative hearers
| Mr.. 1nOmaS >. ljuHdN"' -
nresident of the Mu Sigma Rho SOCIETY,"
| then introduced the fourth orator on the
nropramme. Mr.. r. II. White. OF Hamp-
| TON. Va. His subject vas. THE Event
NJ the Fifteenth Century" This event
which the speaker wildly pictured Is
too well known to require extended men
ton. The speaker followed the fortunes
Of Columbus and his crew In their iran
craft across the Atlantic. and showed
I'm fitting statements some OF the incalcu-
liable benefits following the brave achleVe-
ments Of the old but honored navigator
! Christopher Columbus.
The last orator. Mr.. Frank Williams
! OF Virginia. chose the subject. poverty
| in the Midst Of Plenty" This popular
and manifest issue OF the day elected
| close attention. and the speaker made APP
| propriate contrasts between the faVorltes
Of fortune and the penury- stricken. lie
quoted statistical reports which showed
the state OF affairs which menace the
perpetuity OF American civilization. the
| committee OF judges. consisting OF Hon
II. r. Pollard Rev. Dr. II. A. upper
Rev. Dr. ]. c. Hden and NJ. c. Staples
ESD. Then retired to render their decision
az to which Of the young orators shoulo
wear the hard-won medal. After a shor
absence from the thronged chapel th'
Judges returned and announced a unanl
nous vote Of the medal to Mr. c. w
Duke, Of Virginia. who Is member OF
the Mu Sigma Rho Society.