The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1894-06-20
WOFFORD'S COMMENCEMENT.
A Large Graduating Clsss-An Occasion
Long to b. Remembert


Long to BIS emembsrtd.
SPARTANBURG, S. G, June 12.-rhe
Wofford commencement is almost past
and there is jov in many students
heart tonight. Another scholastic year
is ended and has been added to the
forty years of WoffoId's reputation:
which has been slowly but surely rising
until today she stands at the head of
every literary institution in the State,
Altogether this has been VerV prolita-
BILE session and instruction has been
given to $50 young men. The manage,
ment considers this number up 20 the
usual limit.
The commencement exercises began
Sunday with the baccalaureate sermon
which was delivered by Bishop r.. X.
Hargrove of Memphis. Heread as his
text: Isaiah II 6: "The wolf also shall
dwell with the lamb and the leopard
shall lie down with the kid; and the
calf and the young lion and the failing
together and little child shall lead
them" He preached a very Impressive
sermon which was listened to by d
large and appreciative audience.
Yesterday morning DR.. James II,
Kirkland, Chancellor Of Vanderbilt
University, delivered the literary ad.
dress before the Calhoun and Preston
societies. His was mastery speech,
spoken entirely off-hand, and showing
careful thought and study. His re.
marks about returning to his native
land were very touching. A short
synopsis would not do him Justice. at
the conclusion of his address he was
loudly cheered and completely loaded
down with beautiful flowers.
Last night the chapel was again
crowded by friends Of the institution to
hear the junior debate. The query:
Resolved, That the American laoorer
has just reason to he discontented with
his present conditions, was ably dis.
cussed by Messrs. F. H. Shuler and G.
G. Leonard for the affirmative and s.
y. MCGEE for the negative. The COM
mittee, consisting of DR.. Kirkland as
chairman, decided in favor of the neg
ative.
A gold medal is given each year by
the societies for the best essay and
they we're awaded last night. Mr..
n. J. Shoemaker or Orangeburg won
the Preston medal and Mr.. s. II. Nc.
Ghee of Greenwood won the Calhoun
medal.
The regular graduating exercises
took place this morning. The follow
ing young men delivered their gradua-
ting speeches very gracefully and re.
ceived their diplomas:
ON. Abney, R,chland, "a Remnant
of the Past" w. P. Baskin, Sumter,
"The Royal Faculty." H. L. Bomar,
Spartanburg, "Our Debt" w. T. Dun
can, Anderson. The Wandering Min.
strel." P. II. Eiwards, Marion, 'Indi-
vidualism III Modern Society" W. NJ.
Ellerbee, Marion, The Three Ele-
ments.'' A. B. Hardin, GTeenyille,
"Great Carolinians." E. 5. Jones, Rich
land, "Our Future" G. F. Kirby,
Spartanburg, "a Conquering Race" "
F. M. Lander, Anderson, Ga Collection
of Celebrities" E. N. Lanham, Texas,
"The Decay of the Artistic" W. 7.
Muckenfuss,Jr., Charleston, "The Wiz
ard of the South" "W. J. Snyder, Beau
fort, "Identity." Smile Taylor, Flor
ence, ELECTRICITY of the Twentieth
Century" W. e Walker, Spartan
burg, "Our Poet" D. D. Wallace. Rich
land. "Gladstone." w. ". Watson.
Abbeville, "Our Estimate of Manhood" )"
2. B. Wells, Charleston, lone 1ncreas
ing Purpose" r. l.. Daniel, Spartan
burg, "The Force of Pqrpose."
Mr.. NJ. L. Banks of Orangeburg IS
also member Of this class and left for
home few days ago on account OF
sickness. His diploma will be sent to
him.
Mr.. Muckinfuss is totally blind, but
has finished his course at WoffOrd COL
lege. 1t was indeed touching sight
to see that man, deprived of his sight,
delivering his graduating speech. He
will take up law for profession.
O;the twenty graduates seven will
p7ea CD, six will be doctors, three law
yers, two teachers, one farmer and one
journalist.
Commencement closed to night with
the alumni address, which was deliver
ed by Hon. T. M. Raysor of Orange
burg. He cane with a strong, well
prepared message for his brother alum
nj, his subject being "The Science and
Philosophy of Government and the
Duties of the Citizen ID Relation
Thereto" He began by giving a def
nition ofgovernment and showing how
it was developed from the family cir
Gle on through the tribe up to the ma
ton. He clearly and forcibly pointed
out what the individual lost and gained
in the organization of general gov
eminent, showing that the true end
and aim was the development of the
man in relation to all the other men.
The iron heel of the despot and the
absolutism of the Democratic majority
were alike oppressive ana unjust. lie
emphasized the fact that our constitu-
tions and statutes were the law OF the
land and not the arbitrary rule ct the
people. The trainers Of our constitu-
tions were neither demsgogues nor
communists.
An incorruptible judiciary is the
great breakwater that keeps back the
surgiEg OF devastating and rlotous
Democracy. The speaker then showed
certain strong points of our Govern
ment and he pointed out some of the
dangers that confront Us. Centrallza-
ton on one hand and Communism on
the other were shown to be two Of the
dominant tendencies of the time. The
power and influence Of doctrinaices and
demagogues and the willingness with
which the people followed and SUP
ported them was a standing menace to
our free institutions. Hence we have
the army of the unemployed, the con-
slant revolts against law aad order and
the great unrest that prevails all over
the land.
But there is hope IN the wisdom of
the people. An intelligent citizenship
will correct the evils and cast aside the
errors arising from ignorance as vel!
as the selfish machinatloDs OF evl! and
selfish politicians. His address received
the earnest attention of the large au'
dience present. After his address there