The national Republican., 1862-07-26
Distributlon OF Premiums IN the Second
District schools.


The largest audience which the school exer.
cises of this year has yet drawn together, as.
sembled at the Smithsonian yesterday after.
noon to participate In and witness the exercises
on the occasion OF the annual distribution Of
medals and premiums to the meritorious pupils
of tho schools OF the second district, cOmpris.
ing the third and fourth wards of the city.
The Hall was crowded, the floor being ocou.
pied by the teachers and pupils, and the gal.
icry by visitors, His Honor the Mayor, men,
hers ofthe City Councils, Board of School Trus
lees, and others, occupying the platform.
A fervent prayer was offered by the Rev. q.
T.. Lyford, after which Mr.. Miller. Of the second
district, introduced the orator of the occasion,
Mr.. David II. Frazer, whom he announced as II
living witness of the benefits of free school In.
slruction, a graduate Ofthe Central High School
of Baltimore.
He was received with applause, and after
somo little pleasaniries, he announced as his
subject, "ServiCe." al serve" was the motto
of Il distinguished baron of England, and has
uow become u national motto. II should be our
motto. The speaker alluded to the great bene.
hts of the public school system, and in this we
find sure reward of service bestowed. His
address was full of wholesome truths fitly illus.
irated by amusing anecdotes. He made II briei
allusion to one of the causes of our national
difficulties. We gave too much service to the
acquisition of wealth. Gold and not God had
become our national pursuit. "Ye cannot
servo God and mammon." Let our service be
not merely to tho development of tho mind;
but of body, mind and soul. The orator was a
mere youth in appearance, and his effort was
greeted with hearty applause, s,i, IT It's close;
then sung by the female department of the
district school with such fine effect that the
audience demanded repetition, which com.
pment was gracefully acceded to.
The song "Gay and Happy" was thon well
sung by the male department ot tho district
school.
sThe distribution of tho medals and premiums
uf books then took place, the names being read
by Mr.. Utermehle, trustee Of the second dis
trCt. while the beautiful gifts were presented
by His Honor the Mayor, in his usual happy
style, having an appropriate word and u smile
for each happy recipient.
These exercises were interspersed with ex.
oellent music by tho Marine band, and the
singing of the following songs by the schools
"The Fairy Bells" by the junior department.
Whisper ye Breezes, !" by female department
"Shel lis Of tho Ocean" by primary No. Il
Rock me TO Sleep, Mother" by primary No
Marching Along, by primary No. s; " Song
ut Close OF School, by primary No. I. "The
Flag of the Free" n solo and chorus, by the
female department, WAS admirably sung. The
solo was sung with nne effect and good voice
Miss Sallis Rodier presided at the piano
(This young lady obtained, as n premium fol
musical attainments, bound volume OF the
best selection OF piano music known.)
The next feature in the order of exercisei
came quito unexpectedly. Mr.. Rheese, trustee
of tho second district, came forward and, IL
behalf of Mary and Bertha Bates, pupils IL
primary school No. l, presented to theil
teacher, Miss Acton, n beautiful photograph
album and several war scenes. Mr.. II. also, OF
behalf of lhe teacher, thanked the pupils fol
their gift. The two speeches were good-eX,
pressive, pointed, and brief.
Mr.. Miller, in the name of the whole school
presented to Miss Acton a beautiful chin,
gilded cup and saucer. He also made som,
excellent remarks in presenting the gift.
The exercises then closed with the benedic.
ton by Rev. Mr.. Patterson, OF Philadelphia.