Commencement
Dublin Core
Title
Commencement
Creator
[Unknown]
Source
http://addison.vt.edu/record=b1775388~S1
Publisher
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Date
August 1876
Contributor
Andrew Kulak, Andrew Wimbish
Rights
Permission to publish images from The Gray Jacket must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
Format
Text
Language
English
Type
Announcement
Identifier
LD5655.V8 L4, ser.1, v.2, no.1 (August 1876), p.3-4
Coverage
Blacksburg, Va
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
The Commencement exercises of the V. A. M. C., were begun on Sunday evening August 6th, by the annual sermon before the Christian Asso-ciation, delivered by the Rev. Oscar F. Flippo, of Baltimore. His sermon was considered one of much beauty and force. During his brief stay in Blacksburg, Mr. Flippo by his genial manners and warm heart, greatly endeared himself to the students.
On Tuesday morning, 8th inst., the Methodist church was crowded to hear the fourth annual address before the literary societies delivered by Maj. John W. Daniel, of Lynchburg, whose fame as an orator had long since gone before him. The orator chose for his theme, "The Defence of the Present. Age." To say that his address was beautiful, chaste, elegant and eloquent is to bestow but faint praise upon it.
As we would only do Maj. Daniel injustice by attempting to give any synopsis of his address, we shall only add that it will increase the wide fame which he has already won as an orator. Gov. Kemper being loudly called for responded in a brief but able and eloquent speech. His words went to the hears of his auditors, and many are grateful to him for his, kindly words of praise and encouragement.
At 5 o'clock, p.m., the battalion was reviewed by Gov. Kemper and the Board of Visitors. All of the distinguished gentlemen expressed them- selves as highly pleased with the "beauty, pre- cision and promptness" with which the move- ments were executed.
Gov. Kemper complimented the boys in the happiest manner. And when Adjutant Fry stepped forward and presented him a petition asking for more guns he turned to the boys and told them that they should not only have all they asked for, but he promised them a battery of artillery with harness and all complete.
He concluded by saying that he was backed up on this occasion by an able staff in the Board of Visitors and other distinguished gentlemen, and that if the boys chose to call on them he as gov-ernor of the State would compel them to speak. The boys first called on their great friend and favorite Gen'l Wharton, who briefly excused him-self and told them to call on some of the stran-gers present. Gen'l W. H. F. Lee, Dr. Lawson, Col. Kent, Col. Preston, lion. D. C. DeJarnette and other distinguished gentlemen responded happily to the hearty calls made upon them.
MAURY SOCIETY.
The fourth annual celebration of the Maury Literary Society, took place in the Methodist church at 8 o'clock, p. in., Tuesday; 8th inst. The exercises were opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Wilhelm.
Mr. W. J. Lawrence, of Nansemond county, President of the Society introduced in appropri-ate words, Mr. W. E. Ewing, of Bedford county, as first orator. Mr. Ewing's subject was "The Weight of Little Matters," and in a short but el-oquent and well delivered oration he endeavored to impress upon his auditors the general results which little matters produce in the affairs of men. The second orator was Mr. C. P. Muncy, of Bland county, whose subject was "The Virginia Yeomen," and right eloquently did he handle it, so eloquently indeed that the judges were moved to award him the orator's medal.
The President announced the subject of de bate : "Is poverty better calculated to develop the character than riches ?" and introduced on the affirmative Mr. J. R. Haw, of Richmond city; who maintained his side of the question with sound argument and good hard sense. His speech was delivered with great distinctness.
Mr. C. D. Diggs, of Cumberland county, fol- lowed on the negative. Mr. Diggs' speech was able and well delivered.
Dr. Martin, of the V. A. M. C., then delivered the Orator's Medal to Mr. Muncy and the Deba- ter's Medal to Mr. Haw.
The medal for improvement in debate was de- livered to Mr. John M. Hudson, of Bland county, by Capt. Conrad, of the Christiansburg Messenger in a most felicitous address. Capt. Conrad also presented the medal for improvement in Decla- mation to. Mr. F. B. Roberts of Charlotte county.
On Wednesday morning President Minor, de livered the diplomas to the graduates and an- nounced the names of those distinguished in their classes, after which Gen'l Jas. H. of Winchester, delivered the annual address to the Faculty and students.
His speech was able, eloquent and patriotic, and made a deep impression upon his audience. Judge Staples being loudly called for respond- ed in a most happy and beautiful speech. He was followed by Hon. John Dodson.
LEE SOCIETY.
The fourth annual celebration of the Lee So-ciety took place in the Methodist church at 8 o'clock, p. m.., Wednesday, August 9th. The exercises were opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Weller.
Mr. Henry Hunt, of Northampton county, President of the Society introduced in fitting terms Mr. Henry A'. Maurice, of Manchester, the first orator.
Mr. Maurice delivered a beautiful and well con-ceived oration on "What is True Human Glory?"
Mr. W. C. Franklin, of Appomattox county, followed in an oration on "Greatness." His speech was eloquent and extremely well delivered, and the warm applause bestowed upon him testified to the appreciation of the audience.
The subject of debate was : "Which has the more influence over the actions of man, a sense of right or public opinion ?"
Mr. S. M. McLaughlin, of Halifax country, maintained the the affirmative in an able and well written argument.
He was followed by Mr. M. S. Floyd, of Campbell county, on the negative in a well prepared, well delivered and telling speech.
The Orator's Medal was delivered to Mr. Maurice by Col. Ronald, of Blacksburg, in an appropriate and beautiful speech.
The Debater's Medal was delivered to Mr. Floyd by Dr. Lawson in a chaste and eloquent address.
Dr. Ellzey, of the V. A. M. C. delivered the Improvement Medal to Mr. J. J. Owen, of Prince Edward county.
The Doctor's speech was full of sound sense and good counsel and was also beautiful and eloquent.
We imagine that he rather surprised some of the distinguished gentlemen who were not acquainted with him.
Gen'l Harry Heth of Richmond, of Richmond, responded briefly and appropriately to the loud calls made upon him.
And here closed probably the happiest and most successful Commencement which our young college has yet witnessed. Competent judges declare that the speeches not only indicate a steady improvement from year to year but that they will bear comparison with those delivered at the commencements of many of the old colleges in the State. Not one of the speaker's failed or broke down in delivering his speech.
We cannot sufficiently express the indebtedness which the students feel to the ladies of Blacksburg for their aid in decorating the church.
Without them we could have done nothing. With them, it was universally agreed that the church was decorated with much taste and beauty. We would be happy to return our thanks here to some of them especially, but fear that they would scarcely appreciate the compliment.
The Annapolis, Md., band added much to the enjoyment of the occasion by its sweet music.
Among our visitors at the Commencement we were glad to see our old friends of the Alumni, "Old Lady" Franklin, Lawrence Radford and Wm. F. Page. They were all in fine spirits and health.
On Tuesday morning, 8th inst., the Methodist church was crowded to hear the fourth annual address before the literary societies delivered by Maj. John W. Daniel, of Lynchburg, whose fame as an orator had long since gone before him. The orator chose for his theme, "The Defence of the Present. Age." To say that his address was beautiful, chaste, elegant and eloquent is to bestow but faint praise upon it.
As we would only do Maj. Daniel injustice by attempting to give any synopsis of his address, we shall only add that it will increase the wide fame which he has already won as an orator. Gov. Kemper being loudly called for responded in a brief but able and eloquent speech. His words went to the hears of his auditors, and many are grateful to him for his, kindly words of praise and encouragement.
At 5 o'clock, p.m., the battalion was reviewed by Gov. Kemper and the Board of Visitors. All of the distinguished gentlemen expressed them- selves as highly pleased with the "beauty, pre- cision and promptness" with which the move- ments were executed.
Gov. Kemper complimented the boys in the happiest manner. And when Adjutant Fry stepped forward and presented him a petition asking for more guns he turned to the boys and told them that they should not only have all they asked for, but he promised them a battery of artillery with harness and all complete.
He concluded by saying that he was backed up on this occasion by an able staff in the Board of Visitors and other distinguished gentlemen, and that if the boys chose to call on them he as gov-ernor of the State would compel them to speak. The boys first called on their great friend and favorite Gen'l Wharton, who briefly excused him-self and told them to call on some of the stran-gers present. Gen'l W. H. F. Lee, Dr. Lawson, Col. Kent, Col. Preston, lion. D. C. DeJarnette and other distinguished gentlemen responded happily to the hearty calls made upon them.
MAURY SOCIETY.
The fourth annual celebration of the Maury Literary Society, took place in the Methodist church at 8 o'clock, p. in., Tuesday; 8th inst. The exercises were opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Wilhelm.
Mr. W. J. Lawrence, of Nansemond county, President of the Society introduced in appropri-ate words, Mr. W. E. Ewing, of Bedford county, as first orator. Mr. Ewing's subject was "The Weight of Little Matters," and in a short but el-oquent and well delivered oration he endeavored to impress upon his auditors the general results which little matters produce in the affairs of men. The second orator was Mr. C. P. Muncy, of Bland county, whose subject was "The Virginia Yeomen," and right eloquently did he handle it, so eloquently indeed that the judges were moved to award him the orator's medal.
The President announced the subject of de bate : "Is poverty better calculated to develop the character than riches ?" and introduced on the affirmative Mr. J. R. Haw, of Richmond city; who maintained his side of the question with sound argument and good hard sense. His speech was delivered with great distinctness.
Mr. C. D. Diggs, of Cumberland county, fol- lowed on the negative. Mr. Diggs' speech was able and well delivered.
Dr. Martin, of the V. A. M. C., then delivered the Orator's Medal to Mr. Muncy and the Deba- ter's Medal to Mr. Haw.
The medal for improvement in debate was de- livered to Mr. John M. Hudson, of Bland county, by Capt. Conrad, of the Christiansburg Messenger in a most felicitous address. Capt. Conrad also presented the medal for improvement in Decla- mation to. Mr. F. B. Roberts of Charlotte county.
On Wednesday morning President Minor, de livered the diplomas to the graduates and an- nounced the names of those distinguished in their classes, after which Gen'l Jas. H. of Winchester, delivered the annual address to the Faculty and students.
His speech was able, eloquent and patriotic, and made a deep impression upon his audience. Judge Staples being loudly called for respond- ed in a most happy and beautiful speech. He was followed by Hon. John Dodson.
LEE SOCIETY.
The fourth annual celebration of the Lee So-ciety took place in the Methodist church at 8 o'clock, p. m.., Wednesday, August 9th. The exercises were opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Weller.
Mr. Henry Hunt, of Northampton county, President of the Society introduced in fitting terms Mr. Henry A'. Maurice, of Manchester, the first orator.
Mr. Maurice delivered a beautiful and well con-ceived oration on "What is True Human Glory?"
Mr. W. C. Franklin, of Appomattox county, followed in an oration on "Greatness." His speech was eloquent and extremely well delivered, and the warm applause bestowed upon him testified to the appreciation of the audience.
The subject of debate was : "Which has the more influence over the actions of man, a sense of right or public opinion ?"
Mr. S. M. McLaughlin, of Halifax country, maintained the the affirmative in an able and well written argument.
He was followed by Mr. M. S. Floyd, of Campbell county, on the negative in a well prepared, well delivered and telling speech.
The Orator's Medal was delivered to Mr. Maurice by Col. Ronald, of Blacksburg, in an appropriate and beautiful speech.
The Debater's Medal was delivered to Mr. Floyd by Dr. Lawson in a chaste and eloquent address.
Dr. Ellzey, of the V. A. M. C. delivered the Improvement Medal to Mr. J. J. Owen, of Prince Edward county.
The Doctor's speech was full of sound sense and good counsel and was also beautiful and eloquent.
We imagine that he rather surprised some of the distinguished gentlemen who were not acquainted with him.
Gen'l Harry Heth of Richmond, of Richmond, responded briefly and appropriately to the loud calls made upon him.
And here closed probably the happiest and most successful Commencement which our young college has yet witnessed. Competent judges declare that the speeches not only indicate a steady improvement from year to year but that they will bear comparison with those delivered at the commencements of many of the old colleges in the State. Not one of the speaker's failed or broke down in delivering his speech.
We cannot sufficiently express the indebtedness which the students feel to the ladies of Blacksburg for their aid in decorating the church.
Without them we could have done nothing. With them, it was universally agreed that the church was decorated with much taste and beauty. We would be happy to return our thanks here to some of them especially, but fear that they would scarcely appreciate the compliment.
The Annapolis, Md., band added much to the enjoyment of the occasion by its sweet music.
Among our visitors at the Commencement we were glad to see our old friends of the Alumni, "Old Lady" Franklin, Lawrence Radford and Wm. F. Page. They were all in fine spirits and health.