The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-22
TWO HUNDRED YEARS.
BICEyTEyNIAL CELEBRATION At
WILLIAM AND MARY.
Poem by Mr.. Coleman and Grafton by Mr..
Watts-Iiterary Medals Awarded.
other Commandments.


cial.-To-day was celebrated the two hun
dred and first anniversary of william
and Mary College. The weather was
sweltering. but still a large crowd was
present. Kessnich's Band discoursed soul
] stirring music. 10 tne tune Of which. at
| II 4. NJ, the board Of visitors and the
| alumni, formed in long line marched into
the auditorium. many Of whom took seats
upon the platform. among whom / no
ticed Professor English Mr.. John Allen
Watts. General Marcus J. Wright, Cen
eral william Il. Taliaferro. Hon. James
y. Stubs, Colonel William Lamb Mr..
Robert NJ Hughes. Hon. Thomas H.
Barnes. Hon. j.. G. Tyler Rev. o. S.
Barter, Hon. John T.. Massey, Hon. Wal
ter A. Edwards and others. The exer-
cses were opened with prayer. after
which Mr. Lyon G.. Tyler, president Of
the college, arose and gave a brief his
tory Of William and Mary and the grand
work she had accomplished for the State
and the nation. Mr. Tyler was particular
~ felicitous in his remarks. and at the
conclusion introduced the poet Of the
occasion. Mr. Charles Washington Cole
man, OF this city. who was greeted with
a storm Of applause. Mr. Coleman's sub
jet WAS "Our Alma Mater" and upon
this delivered one Of the most chaste and
beautiful poems ever delivered within the
classic walls of William and Mary. There
was In II a depth Of thought and a beau
ty Of expression seldom equaled while
its delivery was as nearly perfect as
mortals ever attain. Mr. Coleman was
listened TO with rapt attention from the
opening to the close. and at the conclu-
sion received a perfect ovation. being
almost covered with beautiful bouquets,
the offerings Of admiring friends, while
the older heads crowded around the young
poet and gave him a cordial grasp Of the
hand I'm token Of their warm appreciation
and ardent admiration for his magnificent
effort.
Mr.. Robert NJ Hughes then arose. and
in very complimentary terms introduced
the orator Of the day. Mr.. John Allen
Watts. Of Roanoke.
The orator delivered n well-conceived |
and thoroughly dlgested history Of old |
William and Mary-her claims upon the |
country. the greatness OF the men she /
has given TO the nation. The speaker |
dwelt largely and elOquenuy on the inhu- |
ence Of the teachings OF this old insti- |
tute upon her sons and said II we will |
only look at her history we will find that !
Everything good and everything grand |
did not emanate from Plymouth Rock"
Mr.. Watts effort was a condensed but
very exhaustive history Of the college.
He spoke eloquently Of her past glory.
and predicted for her a bright and bril-
liant future.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Watts address
Mr.. Hughes, on behalf Of the Bar Asso-
,iation of Virginia. delivered into the
|
beautiful mural tablet which has Just
'een placed upon the wall Of the chapel
o the memory Of Chancellor Wythe.
In delivering this memorial Mr. Hughes
aid an eloquent tribute and gave a brief
history OF the life and character of the
.reat man. and paid an eloquent tribute
o the pure character lofty virtues and
minent legal attachments Of this great
urist
Mr.. Tyler dismissed this vast assem-
'lage with the wish that they might all
I've to see the four hundredth anniver-
airy of the founding of old William and
Nary.
The out-of-door auditorium OF the col
eye was crowded last night with people
o witness the final exercises Of the
'hoenix Literary Society. The exercises
we're opened with prayer by Rev. =. r.
Warren. Of the Baptist Church. Mr..
:. NJ. Cralle. the president Of the so
iety. then delivered a very beautiful
ddress Of welcome. I'm which he paid
high tribute to the good people Of this
ncient city.
The essays We're then read. The first
y Mr. G. NJ. Smith, whose subject was
The Great West" The second by Mr..
azewell Taylor. whose theme was:
Where Reform Is Needed"
Then came the debate. which IS always
interesting. The question was: IRE {
)lved. That the railroads shall be owned .
nd controlled by the general Govern
tent" The affirmative was represented !
y Mr.. r.. a. Gill. while the negative
as championed by Mr. w W Allen (
The next number upon the programme :
as the orations. The first. eye Shall S
o as Gods" by Mr.. L. r. Warren. Of \
rs city. and the other "Three Con- =
lered Nations and Their Future" by
IT. +. s. Farrar. Of Amelia. p
Lastly came the declarations "Geor- :,
"a and Virginia" handsomely rendered =
Y Mr. +. j. Turner. and "The Black .,
orse and It's Rider" was detained I'm "
rand style by Mr.. J. G. Chichester.
The medals We're then awarded rs u
Flows: The best essay. TO Mr.. TazewelI
aylor OF Norfolk; the orators medal. u
Mr. f. s. Farrar, and the deClaimer's
edal TO Mr.. j. G.. Chichester. u
Virginia N. c. Commencement.