The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-06-10
ATELON'S COMMENCEMENT
AI,E ADDRESS BY HON. w. w,
klTCHiN.
u;sb Order of Speeches by students
and a Very Delightful
Programme

4
The seventh annual commencement o.
| Elon College opened last night at o'oI
with speeches and essays from two rep
resentatives of each of the three literary
societies. The following programme was
| greatly enjoyed by the large audience
present:
THE Monkey" (Nevin>. Male Quar-
| tette.
Grafton, "The Aesthetics of Life L.
| l.. Lassiter. :,
Grafton, "A Plea for a Pocahontas.
C. ii. Rowland.
I'll Corrcolo'' Durand de Grau). Miss
es Jennie Holland and Pearle Long.
Essay. whispering Echoes" Miss
Grafton. 1.-THE Independence of Cuba.
j. NJ Roberts.
"Whisper and | Shall Hear (Piccolo-
mind. Miss Ulabelle Edwards.
Essay "A Homeless People" Miss Bes-
sic Staley.
Grafton. "a Cross Without a Crown"
W. T. Williamson.
Eton Boating Song Macy. Male Quar-
tette.
The orations and essays were of high
order, and while all deserve special men,
ton, the speeches of Messrs. Rowland
and Roberts evoked greater applause.
perhaps, than others on account of the
popularity of subjects, the struggles and
trials of Armenia and Cuba.
The music was excellent and showed
the effects of skilful instruction and
training in this department of the college
work
Many visitors from this State and from
Eastern Virginia are present and others
are expected today.
The trustees will meet today and also
tomorrow. No special changes are ex-
pected in the management of the institu-
ton.
Today at 11:30 o'clock the literary adj
dress was delivered by Hon. w. w.
Kitchin, the talented young member of
Congress from this district. He was hap
PLY introduced by Mr.. ]. E. West. of
Suffolk. Va. in a brief speech, who con-
graduated North Carolina upon being the
first State to successfully launch CO.
educational institution for higher learn
ing in the South
Mr.. Kitchin was given a hearty ova-
ton as he stepped to the front eff the
platform. He never appeared to better
advantage or seemed to be in better trim
to entertain an audience than today.
He announced as his subject "The Stu
dent in Society; or the Man that Thinks"
He said Americans should be as proud of
their citizenship as ThaIes, the philiso-
pher, was of that in ancient Greece.
He rapidly sketched the civilization of
Greece, Babylon, Egypt and showed why
it did not survive, in that it was gilded
and superficial. He said the Christian re-
ligion was the sanctifying influence that
held society and civilization intact in
America, and urged all to study diligently
the conditions of things that exist, and to
strive earnestly to uphold he right AMI
fight wrong; and who, he asked. who can
better fight wrong and its insidious at
lacks than he who thinks? He held the
attention closely of the large audience
from the beginning to the close of the
hour which was consumed in its delivery.
There was a fresh, hopeful optimistic
tinge pervading the address which made
it inspiring and enjoyable in these days
of dire predictions and calamity bowls.
The alumni address was delivered this
afternoon at $3.50 O'Clock by Elijah Mof-
fit, of Randolph, on the subject of so
cial and Constitutional Development"
1t was an excellent speech and was well
received by the large audience present
Tonight Rev. J. w. Carter, ID, of
Raleigh preached the baccalaureate SER
mon from LIST Corinthians, chapter s. LIST
verse. His discourse was one of the most
eloquent ever delivered here. Yomor-
row the graduating exercises take place
w, +, McClenny, of Virginia, is valedic-
torian.