The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-06-12
LINCOLN DAY.
Commencement at the First University
Built in the United States For the
COlOred Race.


Carcasoune' and now having fallen lame and
being nigh unto three score and ten, he had
almost relinquished the hope of ever seeing
that fair town, althoug it had been the dream
of his life to behold it, | began to fear such
would be my own case in regard to Lincoln
University. Many times l had planned to so,
but something always happened to prevent.
Uncertainty about the day of commencement
proper also prevented my attendance upon
several occasions, and it was an accident
which determined my going at last.
l asked my house cleaning help, if she
she could come to my house on Tuesday,
June lst "No,' she emphaticaly replied
can't come that day, its Lincoln day" Are
you going to Lincoln? l asked in utter aston
ishment, for l was fully aware that the only
shoes she had in the world were Il pair of my
own cast offs. ayes man, Pm goin' EFF de
Lowd spares me. I'm gwine to git one days
pleasure EFF l never has another" l decided
that moment that too would go. A place
where u woman could find pleasure in pair
of second hand shoes, was a place to claim
immediate attention
The morning dawned clear and bright,
promising one of those perfect days, such as
Lowell describes in "a Day in June" when
heaven lays its ear to earth to find if it be in
tune. Starting by the early morning train we
stopped off at Oxford to do some shopping and
accommodating generally Principally to view
again II house in which very important
event in my life took place; it was at that
time the Baptist parsonage Alas | had for
| gotten on which side Of the street it stood,
but think | located it correctly at last.
On returning to the depot we found q
motley crowd. all arrayed in gay and sum
mer clothes, waiting to take the train to LIN
coin station. BY this time the character Of
the weather had changed entirely, and
instead OF halmy jane. resembicd clustering
March. CLOUDS had gathered overhead, and
IL cold disaSrceable VIVID was blowing from
the northwest. BY noon it was somewhat
improved, though still windy and cool for
organize waists and bracelets for the sole
protection of arms and shoulders
When we entered Livingston hall where the
commencement exercises were being held we
found it filled to overlooking. The hail was
profuscly decorated with flags. bunting and
potted plants. The music was rendered by
the collcg" club and was very good The
Theoiogical Department held its graduating
exercises in the morning. There were twenty
graduates in that department all Of whom
received diplomas. They were all with few
exceptions from Southern States Some were
| black rs Errbus, and some showed plainly
that the blood of alien races was mingled in
their veins So
The addresses We're thoughtful and earnest,
and delivered with dignity and grace. They
wear the cap and gown and it is singuarIy
! becoming to most of those stalwart Othcos
\ rec, s. Of two hours was given mt noon in
which visitors are allowed the freedom of the
campus and Of examining the various college
| buildings. Here, evidently at no distant
period has stood II forest of noble trees, Il
number Of which still adorn the spacious
! grounds, the location is beautiful one,
being on a sort of level plateau from which
is obtained II fine view of the fertile hills and
wales Of beautiful Chester county. The col
lege buildings including fine and commo-
dious chapel, are built of brick with marble
trimmings, plain and substantial. The foun-
dation for II library is just being dug, and will
be when finished, quite an imposing affair
A neat little cottage hospital is located in IA
quiet corner, supplied with all the modern
appliances for the alienation of suffering.
1t is for the students alone and is empty Of
of patients. The collegiate department held
graduting exercises in the afternoon. The
following subjects were well handled by the
dusky orators: International arbitration, by
Leonard l.. johnson, OF Pennsylvania;
migration II menace to our institutions, by
William W. Sanders, of Virginia; The vaedic-
tory Grafton was given by John A. White, of
Virginia.
Ex-Gov. Beaver was present and standing
on his crutches, spoke enthusiastically of Lin
coins future prospects. The Ex-Governor is |
president of the board of trustees OF the
institution.
Th" Latin snlutatory was well rendered by |
William w. Walker. of Florida.
These commencement exercises of the first |
university built in the United States for the
colored race. are largely attended The
trains bring large crowds OF well dressed and |
orderly colorol people from Washington, Bal !
timore Wilmington Philadelphia, while from |
intervening points como Il motley throng, |
not so well dressed. not so orderly, but ful' |
Of life and rude good nature which seems far |
more natural to us who knew the race in |
anto-bcllum times.
The rich Quakers and presbytrrians, who |
take deep interest in the school, come III |
fine carriages drawn by prancng steeds from |
staid old Kcnnett, aristrocrutir West Grove
progressive Gainesville, and other towns
adjacent. Lincoln village is a struggling
unkempt collection Of houses. stretching from
the railroad station to the boundaries of the
college campus where are located in deep
and shady secluson the residences of the |
professors.
Ii is said that long before the war a remark
able colored man, an escaped slave, lived in |
this vicinity. He was a devout Christian. |
fearless and bold in his denunciaton of all
wrong. Tradition has it that every morning
when going to his work he had occasion to
go across this place of beautiful woodland,
and that on the very spot where the main
building Of the University now stands he
used to kneel and pray, that here might be