The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-05-29


nAnt Trustees---The Graduating
Theses--AnnuaI Concert Held Last
Night.
Wake Forest. n. c., May 2s.-(Spe-
cial. To-day was as beautiful as
could be desired for the closing eXer-
cises of the commencement of '96.
Early in the morning visitors from
the country began to drive in, and
those who were already here were
scattered in careless groups over the
campus, wherever the most inviting
shade appeared; while the band rem
dered the lovely day still more lovely,
ladening the air with melody. But
of all the striking things of the occa-
sion the great crowds of springfield
girls were the most conspicuous.
They fluttered all over the campus
and the romantic hooks which had all
the year been visited only by boys,
seemed to greet them with joy.
At II o'clock the bell called the
crowd into the Wingate Memorial Hall.
The throng was immense, the capa-
cious hall being completely filled.
Rev. f. NJ. Poteat, of New Haven,
Conn, offered prayer. Then Mr.. W. p.
salutatory address. Mr.. EXum de-
clared this to have been the most
prosperous session in the history of
the college, and described the eNpan-
sion of the institution from one of
comparative insignificanee to a college
whose influence is felt all over our
country. He then turned to his class
mates and reminded them of the cor
rupt state of present-day politics and
other obstacles which they must face
in life; and since this is the state of
things. the imperative demand of the
times is for men. He ended with re-
marks complimentary TO the ladies,
which were responded to with a storm
of applause.
The second speaker was Mr.. j. I'll.
Gore, of Wilmington, his subject being:
"Capo d'Astro," which he defined as
meaning 1.-THE college; it's mission and
ammunition" The substance of his re-
marks was that too much ought not
to be expected of a college. 1t cannot
make wise men of fools: but it can
put a sensible man in the way of be-
coming wise. The sober current of
college life Gibbs and flows. but never
theless it moves steadily onward. The
ideal college man is found neither
among the dudes nor among the too
sedulous students: but he is the one
who occupies the golden mean between
these two extremes.
Next Mr.. Bruce Benton, of Union
county, came forward his subject:
THE New Era He said that to look
back upon the Old South is beautiful;
but these old days have changed, and
Rip Van Wrinkle is long since dead.
Industry has sprung up, with the good
results usually attendant on enter
prise. But, on the other hand, the
tendency is too great to leave the farm
for the city, which will cause the
poetic beauty of the olden times to be
supplanted by a people altogether
commercial and deprayed by the evils
of the city life. Physical and intel
lectual manhood will decay under the
influence of these evils, and our home
lie esiu die out. The pure, simple
literature OF nature viii soon become
extinct. The country, with its pure
atmosphere, is the native land of great
men; for men amid the hum of fac
tories and rush of trade have not time
TO think. What shall we do with the
new era which is upon us? We must
shape the fresh life which now throbs
through the South and especially
through North Carolina.
Mr.. q. \. Bray was next called upon,
but he was too unwell to deliver his
GRAFTON, and Mr.. W. G. Briggs, of Raj
eigh. came forward. His subject was:
Municipal Reform" The degradation
of city government is the most con-
spicuous failure of Democracy. The
wire-pulling and grand rascality re-
sorted to for office strangles progress
The only remedy for this corruption
is the administration of the govern
ment under the eye of the people.
Municipal and political government
must be separated; for an official with
his party to back him can manage af-
fairs to suit his own tase The death
of Tammany was the first step toward
reform.
The fifth Grafton was delivered by
Mr.. w. I'll. Davis, of Henderson, n. c.,
on The Personal Element in Char
acter Building" The character is the
man, and is the base of failure, success
or victory. The beginning of life is the
first of character building, and on the
principle that there are no accidents
in the providence of God" every great
life is the outcome of well-built
character Opposition strengthens and
dcteiois men.
The sixth speaker was Mr.. Spright
Dowell of Durham. On the subject of
Prophets and Progress he said that
science has wrought a revolution in
material life. The advance of Democ-
racy has been a conspicuous factor in
the progress of the world. A Demo-
cratic government is less liable to error
than an aristocratic government, be-
cause it has vox populi to support it,
Mr. Dowell then went on to enumerate
the things necessary for progress, and
to prophesy brighter days for our
country.
Mr.. j. n. Tolar, of Robson county,
next took the floor. His subject was AN
Ideal Life" which was the life of
our beloved statesman. Vance. He
gave brief account of the trials,
struggles and successes of the noun
tain patriot, dwelling particularly on
his career during the war; and closed
with beautiful tribute to his memory.
Then Mr.. |. NJ. Meekins, the winner
of the Morehead medal last summer,