The state chronicle., 1893-06-10
IN a beautiful speech by Hon. A. C..

Dloles 10 the graduates.
"The "Braxton Craven Scholar
ship was presented by Presidep,
Chss. D. McIver in a most thrillinn
speech to 81. p. Boggs, of Winston
\. c. Messrs. T. c. Hoyle and f
T. Carr were honorably mentioned
both making higher grades thar
Mr. Boggs, but they we've not in
full and regular standing.
The Historical Prizes" were
awarded to r. II Willis and ]. A
Baldwin. These were presented by
Mr. >. 5. Bassett Fellow of History
IN Johns Hopkins University.
THE "wILEY GRAY" MEDAL.
The most coveted aud warmly
contested prize at Trinity College is
the wiley Gray" medal which is
given by r. I. Gray, Esq, of this
city, and is awarded by a com
mittee appointed for that pur-
pose on commencement day to that
memuer Of the Senior class who de-
livers tee best graduating speech.
at the commencement on Thursday
tie medal was won by G. E Turner.
OF Iurnersburg, Iredell county, 10
~hom y was presented by Hon. A
=. Avery, Associate Justice Of the
Supreme Court, in short but hand
some and touching speech.
Judge Avery's speech was as fol-
lows:
"On the second day of the great
contest at Gettysburg, a youth Of
twenty summers stood proudly at
the head of company of stalwart
men, as his regiment, the Fifty
seventh North Carolina, was bein q
aligned at the foot of the famous
Cemetery Hill. He stood at it's
head not by accident, but as a
chosen Captain, who had shown
himself in his boyhood a born
leader OF men. AS showers of shot
and shell went shrieking over that
line, the calm confidence that
beamed from the eye of the boy,
was reflected from the faces of his
men.
When the evening shadows were
lengthening the fateiul order came.
Ewelps Corps must attack; Early :
Division must lead. AS the gallant
9th and the historic old 9th North
Carolina moved forward in the force
OF the deadly volleys that thinned
their ranks at every step, the voice
OF the boy Captain was heard above
the din OF battle, cheering bis men,
and his hand was seen waving his
sword above his head in the very
Jaws OF death. At last the heights
were gained, and with his hand al
most upon the rock wall, behind
which the enemy were entrenched,
Wiley Gray fell mortally wounded
with bis face to the foe His voice
was forever hushed, but his spirit
still inspired the brave men Of
Hoke's and Hays Brigades, who
rushed across that wall, and alone
Of all the soldiers Of Lees army.
won the proud distinction of takin o
and occupying till long after night
fall part of the line along that
stronghold Of The enemy-Ceme-
terry Heights. 1 trust that | NAV
be pardoned for saying, that to
one, whose favorite brother fell in
command Of Hoke's Brigade, as he
rode across that hill to direct the
advance of the 57th Regiment, it is
pleasant duty to praise the prow-
ess OF the here, who gave his life
to the cause few moments later.
and now fills an unknown grave on
that famous field. A brothers love
commentaries his many virtues BY
bestowins annually beautiful prize
upon that student of the graduating
class OF Trinity College who is ad-
Judged to have given greatest prom
lse of oratorical power.
at the request of the donor, I
present toyou this golden cross of
the Legion of Honor, surmounted
and surrounded by the symbolic
wreath of oak, thus aptly blending
the coveted distinction of the SOL
der with tie Olympic emblem of
oratory.
As Wiley Gray fell, sword in
hand, battling for what he believed
to be right, may you ever fearlessly
raise your voice in support of the
weak and the friendless, and in re-
sistance to wrong and oppression.
Remember always that ahe most
lives who thinks most, feels the no.
blest and acts the best" Let the
spirit OF the dead soldier, whose de-
votion to duty is commemorated by
this beautiful token Of a brothers
love, speak through you to your
generation, and you will have
learned and acted on tie lesson in
tended to be inculcated in affording
you the opportunity to come off
victor in this early contest for the
worlds honors."