The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-06-02
THE UNIVERSITY
COMMENCEMENT
Evarcisas of the Senior Glass IN
the College Chapel.
PRESENTED BUST OF LEE
"A pnA IIrrIEITI4 ONE Tile WORK
PRESENTED BUST or LEE
A BEAUTIFUL ONE, THE WORK
OF yOLCK, OF BALTIMORE.
Mr.. WILSON WARMLY WELCOMED
The Presidents Reception Graced by a
Gathering of Distinguished Men
and Fair Women Mr.. Viii
sen Speaks To- Day.
sen Speaks To- Day

Chapel Hill, n. c., June l.
fSpecial. To-day has been an ideal
one. The sun has shone from a
cloudless sky and the grand old oaks,
their boughs dropping with their usual
summer verdancy, cast dark shadows
DER the entire campus, making, if pos
sible, even n more beautiful scene than
usual The old Davie poplar, bending
to the breeze seemed to bow its acknowl-
edgements to those who had come to pay
again their respects to their Alma Mater.
Alumni of the grand old institution, men
who have graduated here since the '30s,
walked beneath the classic oaks and
seemed to live over again the jolly days
of early manhood when they received
diplomas in the same old .chapel-but
just here let me say they noticed the
great difference between the years gone
by and the year of to-day. The past
year, the first of the new administration,
has been free from any bitter feeling or
unpleasant differences between faculty
and students; they have been friends and
not enemies, as students considered
them in years gone by when. to be able
to escape them, was considered an ac-
complishment of difficult task. Stu
dents have sought their instructors for
friendly advice, their instructors have
sought them for friendly intercourse,
thereby causing a relationship between
them which shall ever be sacred.
There has been no dishonorable act
committed on the part of anyone and it
can truly be said no year in the history
of the institution has been freer from
unpleasant occurrences, nor fuller of
those ever admirable acts which breath
into a play purity, nobleness and honor.
The graduating class. composed of over
forty young men, this not including
graduates i'll the 3. l.. and NJ. D.,
courses, bid farewell this week to the
men who have instilled in them unselish
purposes and motives which can only
bring honor to the men, east laurels upon
!. the institution and gloriously add to the
list of the distinguished whose love and
patriotism ever and Loyalty uphold the
fair name of the Old North State
Could more be desiredi Was ii not
natural that pride should fill the heart
Of the new president and his co-workers
when they looked upon the men who
were to, go out to battle with the world
and more, men who were prepared to
fight the battle of life?
1t is pleasure and yet a sad one to
look into the faces of these young men
There we may read the little story of
love for those with whom they have so
peaceably lived and whose very words
of advice will never lose their force but
will ever inspire them to push on toward
the high calling.
THE CHAPEL BENEDICTION.
The College year of 81 is nearing its
close, the work is over and now remains
only time for the parting words, of
sorrow, good wishes and advice The
college bell will not again call to duty
those who tomorrow receive their we'll
won diplomas, but each man realizes the
struggle that confronts him and to-day
the deep feeling rose to the surface and
every man plainly showed the sincere love
he ever bears for his classmates, who,
in college, have worked and toiled to-
gether and in the coming years, though
separated. that sympathy, love and good
wishes will bind closely together these
men to whom honor is due.
early this morning on the campus
could be seen Seniors in the caps and
gowns going to and fro speaking their
words of good will toward men, and at
o'clock in the front of that sacred
Memorial Hall the class of '97 formed
in line and marked to the Chapel there
TO humbly bow in prayer.
The chapel was crowded with those
who, in years gone by, have listened
there to the reading of the Holy Scrip
lures and, too, those who are now rising
toward the mark of efficiency, all to
hear this last Chapel Benediction upon
this the Senior class
Rev. N. III. d. Wilson, the appointed
class chaplain, stood upon the rostrum,
surrounded by settled men, whose names
inspire zeal into every young Tar Heels
heart, and then in simple, clear, true and
purest words, petitioned Him, Supreme,
for those whose commencement Of life
has just begun.
GLASS DAY EXERCISES.
At IL o'clock sharp the regular class
day exercises began in Gerard Hall.
On the r0strum were seated the class
officers:
David Baird Smith-President
William Donald Carmichael-Vice-
President.
William Starr Myers-Poet
Ralph Henry Graves-Historian.
Henry Groves Connor-Prophet
The hall was a scene of rare beauty,
the appropriateness Of the decorations,
the White and Blue, rising from every
gallery pillow to the centre Of the ceiling,
the flag of the Old North State spread
out in the back ground and above look
ing down in stern silence, with search
ing eyes were portraits of several Of the
strongest supporters Of the institution,
all Of whom have passed beyond this life,
but yet we may feel their spirit still
lingering and, too, we may believe they
still are looking upon the scene of years
past when they too knew the joy OF the
day.
These portraits Of William r. Davie,
founder of the University; David l..
The facsimile signature of IL