--From a lat number of the Baltimore
Clipper, (
Lincoln organ,) we copy the following:
Speech Rampant.--On Saturday morning several hundred persons, principally females, assembled in the
Holiday Street Theatre, for the purpose of witnessing the ceremonies attending the licensing of several medical students to practice the art of ‘ "kill or cure."’--To give eclat to the affair, the Blues B and were in attendance, but from orders issued by the
Medical Faculty, the performance of the national airs were prohibited.
The absence of the familiar tunes gave rise to considerable speculation, but nothing was sold in reference to demanding their production.
While the diplomas were being distributed, a student made his appearance on the stage holding in his hand a banquet, to which was attached a miniature American flag.
No sooner had the colors been displayed when a large portion of the females began hissing.
The male portion being thus encouraged joined in the and for a while the unlucky student was the target for the sarcastic and vile jests of all the secessionists to the theatre.
The Union portion of the audience not relishing the insult offered to the Stars and Stripes in- cheered and applauded.--This increased the of poor Secesh, and had it not been for the presence of a strong police force, the newly licensed physicians would have had an excellent opportunity to try their skill in reducing lumps and extracting
blue and
black from damaged optics.
Several of the ringleaders in the disgraceful affair were ejected from the building, and the exercise of the morning proceeded with.
The insult offered to the flag was a mean, contemptible one, and reflects but little credit to the originators.
Last night we were informed, by a highly responsible party, that previous to the commencement of the exercises a number of banquets were placed on the stage, bearing cards for several of the graduates.
A number of the bouquets were entwined with the
American colors, which, meeting the gaze of the Committee of Arrangements, were surreptitiously removed from the stage, and the flags torn into abrades; after which the floral offering,
minus their decorations, were handed to the students.
From manifestations like the above the life of a Union man would be placed in jeopardy if attended by parties who had the arrangements of Saturday at heart.
Among the prominent actors who attempted to destroy the flag was
a Dr. Morgan, who made an unsuccessful attempt to wrest the colors from a bouquet in the hands of
Dr. McKenzie.
The movement was not only intrastate, but the ringleader complimented with a bunch of fives between his peepers.
