Commencement: 1825
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COLUMBIAN COLLEGE
Dec 21, 1825
The second annual Commencement of this Institution was held, in Dr. Laurie’s Church, in this city, on Wednesday last. The order of the exercises was as follows:
Prayer
Orations of Original Composition:
1. By Thomas D. Eliot, D.C. – A Salutatory Address in Latin, and an English Oration on the causes of the paucity of splendid productions of American genius, in poetry, sculpture and painting.
2. By John Brewer, Md. - Eulogy on Alexander Hamilton.
Music
3. By John Armstrong, Penn. –Pernicious effects of imitation, on our Literature.
4. By Win. A. Smallwood, D.C. – The Feudal System contrasted with the constitution of the United States.
5. Music.
6. By James Jones, D.C. – The instability of Civil Institutions.
7. By Robert W. Cushman, Mass. – Influence of Metaphysical Speculation on Force of Character.
Music
8. By Baron Stow, N. II.- The elevation which Mind appears destined to reach: An Oration, with Valedictory Addresses.
The very interesting ceremony of conferring the degrees was then performed; after which an impressive Baccalaureate Address was delivered by the President of the College, in which the lessons of experience and wisdom were communicated in the language of paternal solicitude, and the assembly was dismissed by a Christian Benediction.
The following Gentlemen received the degree of Bachelor of Arts: John Armstrong, Penn.; Joseph Borrows, D.C.; Thomas J. Brakenridge, D.C.; John Brewer, Md; John A. Bulfinch, D.C.; William Collins, Va.; Robert W. Cushman, Mass.; Thomas D. Eliot, D.C.; William A. Smallwood, D.C.; Baron Stow, N. H.; Ambrose L. White, D.C.
It was gratifying to observe, among the numerous spectators, the President and Vice President of the United States, The Heads of Departments; a number of Senators and Members of the House Representatives, and Officers of the General Government, The Clergy of the District, and a Collection of female worth, of youth and of beauty, which would reflect honor on any assembly.
The young gentlemen, who bore parts in the exercises, acquitted themselves in the most classical style, It will not be considered invidious to say – as nothing of the kind is felt by us, or intended the orations by Mr. Elliot, and Mr. Cushman, were peculiarly, felicitous in subject and execution. The salutatory, in Latin by Mr. Elliot, was a chaste composition; and the Valedictory Addresses by Mr. Stow, were calculated to reach the hearts of the individuals to whom they were addressed. The keen and hallowed sensibilities they excited in the Bosoms of the Board of Trustees, of the members of the faculty, and of his fellow graduates were participated by the rest of the audience, in deep and thrilling sympathy.
In fine, the writer does not recollect to have ever witnessed a similar exhibition, with which he was better pleased. Since the commencement several gentlemen, whose attainments and pursuits have qualified them to judge correctly, have been heard to remark, that the whole of the services in the Church would have been considered highly creditable in the oldest and most celebrated institutions of our country; and, when we recollect the difficulties and the embarrassments attendant on the progress of literary institutions that have not enjoyed aid from the States in which they are located, the unpatronized efforts of the gentlemen under whose auspices this highly promising College has been brought into existence cannot be too much commended.
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Author or Source: University Bulletin, 1825
Document Location: University Archives
Date Added to Encyclopedia: December 21, 2006
Prepared by: Lyle Slovick, Assistant University Archivist
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