The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer

The Intelligencer.

FRANKLIN COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT.
Address by E. O. Cracraft, Esq., of Wheeling.
Unveiling of a Monument to the Late Prof. Ross.
New Athens, O., June 25.
Reported for the Wheeling Intelligencer.

Another prosperous year has been rounded up at old Franklin, and her students leaving her classic halls behind them are hastening away to their homes.
The commencement exercises were of great interest and attended by large numbers of the alumni and other friends from far and near. The "Schumann club," organized in connection with the college for the cultivation of music, gave a very interesting concert on Friday evening, 18th inst., under the direction of Mr. J. A. Calhoun. The varied programme, and thorough rendering of all its parts speaks well for the taste and proficiency of the club in the tuneful art. We cannot speak too highly in commendation of this feature of college training. In these days when art has reached such a high stage in the cultivation of instrumental music and the rendering of music in our homes and churches by the matchless melody of the human voice bids fair to become one of the lost arts. We hail with delight the effort of some of our schools and colleges to revive an interest in this important branch of human culture. May these efforts be crowned with abundant success.
The Baccalaureate sermon by the President, Rev. G. C. Vincent, D.D., on Sabbath afternoon, 20th inst., from Rom. 3:20, "By the law is the knowledge of sin," was listened to by a large number of students and citizens. It was characterized by the speaker's well known stalwart defense of principle and rectitude. The law of God as the touch stone by which to try every scheme, policy, or line of pursuit in the conduct of life was held up with great clearness and force. It was replete with fatherly counsels and admonitions to the young men who were about to pass from the college halls as from under the parental roof to face and battle with life's stern realities and conflicts.
The society of Religious Inquiry was addressed on Monday evening by Rev. Jos. T. Cooper, D.D., of Allegheny City. His theme was "Truth" and it was handled in the well-known cultured, and vigorous style of the lecturer.
Tuesday evening was devoted to class performances, and the valedictories and responses of the literary societies. A history of the class of 1880 was read by Miss Alice Day, of New Athens. Wm. A. Hammond read the class poem. The presentation of the senior hat to the incoming senior class was made by D. D. Allen, of Uniontown, in a very humorous and entertaining manner, and was as happily accepted on the part of the incoming class by S. M. Boggs.
John M. Van Vliet, of Brookville, Pa., gave the valedictory to the Jeffersonian Literary Society, and was responded to by A. M. Holmes. The valedictory to the Philosophical Library Society was delivered by Geo. C. McKee, of Uniontown and the response by Clyde E. McCune, of Martin's Ferry.
On Wednesday evening the annual address to the Literary Societies was delivered by E. G. Cracraft, Esq., of Wheeling. This address was a galaxy of well chosen thoughts enriched with striking incidents illustrative of noble character from the lives of great men. It was highly appreciated by the large audience which waited upon it.
The morning of Thursday, commencement day, was one of rare beauty and freshness. At an early hour the streets were filled with carriages and pedestrians, gathering from North, South, East and West, and flocking to the McFarland grove, a beautiful forest adjoining the town, where the commencement exercises were to be held. The audiences which from year to year come in such throngs to these commencements speak volumes for the high character of the people of the community. While youth and beauty mingled in happy combination with the more mature, and those whose heads were silvered with age, an air of intelligence, thoughtfulness and refinement was conspicuous among all. In the great throng there could not be found the semblance of intoxication. Nothing boisterous, either in speech or conduct. Such is the fruit which a community which has long dwelt under the enlightening and refining influence of such an institution of learning yields. Every home and every life will feel the leavening influence of widened thought and culture.
The forenoon was given to the Alumni, many of whom were present, and the addresses made, in which were frequent touches upon the past history and the present condition and happy prospects of Franklin College, showed not only the deep love with which the children cherish the old mother, but the great delight which it gave the community at large to hear of the great work which has been and is still being done, and the bright prospects not only for her perpetuity but for increased power and influence year by year.
Addresses were made by Rev. Wm. H. McFarland, Cambridge, Ohio, Rev. Thos. C. Park, Rev. C. J. Hunter, of North East Pa., Rev. H. P. McAdams, of Lodi, N.Y., and Rev. Dr. Cooper, of Allegheny City, who, though not an alumnus, holds the college and community dear, from ties of long standing. In the afternoon the members of the graduating class delivered their orations and received their degrees. The degree of A.M. was conferred upon Walter G. Shotwell, Esq., of Cadiz, and Rev. J. R. Frazier, of Davenport, N.Y., members of the class of '77. The degree of Ph.D. was conferred upon Prof. W. J. Myers, of Cadiz, and Prof. Reuben McMillan, of Youngstown, O., and of D.D. conferred on Rev. W. L. McFarland, Rev. O. J. Hunter, and Rev. W. L. McAdam, of Cherokee, Iowa. An appropriate closing address by the President to the members of the graduating class, full of wise and timely counsels closed the regular exercises of commencement at Franklin College.
Another very interesting event connected with the occasion was the unveiling of an imposing monument to the memory of Andrew F. Ross, LL.D., late President of Franklin College. The connection of Dr. Ross with Franklin College, began when as a youth he came thither to enjoy its classic shades. In after years while he filled important positions both as Instructor and President in other colleges, his heart ever turned to Franklin as his first love. When called to its Presidency in 1871 he came to lift it up from many embarrassments, and his earnest unselfish and indefatigable labors were crowned with abundant success. After his work was done he was called to his rest in the autumn of 1875, everywhere beloved, and lamented. This monument of massive granite, twenty-three feet in length, stands along side the college building, and was erected by the efforts of students who sat under his instruction, and other admiring friends. It is a worthy tribute of love, perpetuating the memory of one whose life was breathed out while endeavoring to build up and perpetuate the institution he loved so well. In the unveiling ceremonies President Vincent presided. J. L. Parkinson, Esq., of the class of '78 read a beautiful poem. Walter G. Shotwell, Esq., of '77, delivered an address which set forth the work and the virtues of Dr. Ross in well chosen words, after which, Wm. H. Day, of '79, on behalf of the "Ross Association" delivered the monument over into the hands of the Board of Trustees, which was accepted by Rev. Jas. Day, President of the board, on its behalf. Thus closed a commencement week of more than usual interest, and a college year of earnest and successful work.

OBSERVER.