The times., 1897-06-25
Notable Event in the College
ry-Patronized by Society.
Attorney General McKenna-Th
Graduates aud Their Orations.

The occasion was quite a society event
and in the foxes were many Of the leading
society folks OF the Capital. Upon the
stage were seated the pupils and graduates
and with them number of prominent
men, invited guests OF the day. Prominent
among these gentlemen were Attorney Cen
eral Mckenna. Prof. 4. r Montague. Prof.
". +. Eagan, Rev. DR.. Quinn, DR.. Green,
Rev. DR.. Shayne, Rev. n. Z. Smith, Prof.
shea and Rev. j c. Kent
The exercises began with an overture
by the orchestra, followed by medley of
popular airs.
John j. Brosnan, '9S, was the first
orator His subject. The Shakespeare OF
Noyelists" was splendidly delivered In
an eloquent manner he reyie ewed I me field
Of English fiction, commenting upon the
style and effectiveness or the various
authors " no have taken prominence III tn.
world of letters. Upon tie works OF tht
great Scotch author he bestowed his high
est tribute
Bernard F. Rover followed with ''Re
Hgious a rt andiLs --latest Exponent Mr
Rover touched upon the work OF Raphael
and his contemporaries, and then plunged
into the discussion of his subject, telling
in suceinct style the story of Overlook
the famous German master. He referred
to the wonderful manner in which this one
mans paintings affected the art world
of his time, and the influence which he
has exercised even upon latter day art
After the playing Of the intermezzo from
''CavaIIeria Rustieana," the degree of
bachelor CT arts wGs Conferred upon Messrs
Leo T HarIowe. Edward Seaman. and Ed
ward Murray Power
After the rendition OF sousa's ''El
CAPTAIN" The baccalaITeate orations Were
heard. Leo p Harlowe delivered an earnest
and polished address upon 'Pessimisui,
and Its Modern Interpreters"
TIE subject OF Edw ward Scanlan's Grafton
was "Our American Zeitgeise."
Father stafford then addressed the
students and their friends. Eeginning by
a euloEy upon the college Of which the
orator boas.ed ''he was proud to declare
in public he owed a debt of gratitude"
Father Stafford spoke of the work of that
famous scholar and pbilanthrupist, Las
ceIe. Feelingly he referred TO the sacri-
fices which that great man and the tiny
band OF his followers made in the interests
OF human advancement, and how the
weak and wavering little society had
grown in might and made its power IN
doing good felt in every land. "These
Were truly noble men," hesaid, recognized
not even as ministers, yet enduring all the
hardships of priesthood they labored in
the common cause of God aud education"
Then warming unto his discourse and
becoming more eloquent as he progressed,
the speaker took up the question that q
collegiate education untitled a man for
the business of life. In scathing manner
he held up the principles OF the utilftarians.
alleging that with most of these men there
was but one ambtion-that of acquiring
wealth He paid tribute to the teachings
of Plato and Socrates, which, though for d
long while were regarded in the light OF
dreams. nevertheless have been handed
down to US 20 become a source OF pleasure
and consolation Utilltarians say that a
collegiate education unfits man for the
real affairs of life, and that If he intends
to pursue business career he mus. unbearn
most OF the knowledge he has acquired
there. These men see but one object in
iife-that of growing rich Every priH-
cple. If necessary, must be sacrificed for
the accomplishment Of that end. young
man must obtain money honestly, Il Pos
able-buJ he must obtain IL.
But there are things in life which are
of far greater event than the enjoyment of
sordid riches. There is the pleasure of the
educated mind, trained to appreciate the
truths and beauties of life. 1t is said
that a college educa ton gives man an
ideal training, but is that not desirable,
even If sucn were true? II all the world
had been utilitarian in its doctrines, where
would we look for the grand examples of
heroism and fidelity7 Every sister who
has devoted her life to the alleviation of
suffering, every brother who has con-
seorated hinselfin the serviceof education,
every martyr who has poured forth his
life blood for truth and the good OF
humanity has taught us that there are
grander things N life than the mere en-
joyment of meat and drink, that there
is another, a grander and nobler existence
which follows this, and which all men
should desire.
Every man who sacrifices his own inter-
ests in the service Of his friends asserts
the existence and the belief OF this
principle.
Everything that has raised and elevated
humanity has been actuated by Ideal
motives, Inspired by the supreme power
Continuing. Father Stafford said that st.
John aimed to unite the real and ideal;
that such union was represented by the
incarnation. Then turning to the graduates
he spoke to them In a most kindly manner
Of their future life and the chances they
were apt TO encounter in the struggle in
which they would be soon enga ging
After the close of Father Stafford's
Grafton Attorney General McKenna award
ed the medals and prizes to their bright and
deserving winners as follows:
Pace gold medal for philosophy Edward
scanlon: next in merit. Leo P. Harlow
The alumni gold medal for English essay,
Aloysius r. Wiggin, class Of '9S: next in
merit, John j. Brosnan
The Hume gold medal for mathematics,
John j. Brosnan, class Of '98; next In
merit, Bernardin F. Rover, class of '99
DR.. Green's gold medal for oratory. Arthur
j. May. class of 1900; next In merit, j ohm
]. Brosnan
Gait gold medal for Latin and Greek,
Arthur j. May; next in merit, George NJ.
Hartnett. This medal is placed this year
in the freshman class.
Lothrop gold medal for elocution James
c. Spottswood; next in merit, William D.
Wheeler
Gold medal for excellence in the first
academic. Daniel Lix; next In merit,
George W. Lucas.
Gold medal for excellence in studies Of
tile second academic, William d. Wheeler;
next in merit, ] ames G. Spottswood.
Rock Hill College gold medal for Chris
tan doctrine placed in the first academic,
paniel Lix: next il merit. Antonio Lauza.
For English studies, prize OF $15