The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1868-07-03

spersed by most excellent chorus and
quartette singing under the lead of
Mr.. Norton. We have rarely heard the
singing at the Normal excelled. Great /
credit is due Mr.. n. and the students
for the degree of proficiency attained
in this useful accomplishment.
The events Of the closing exercises were the
graduation Of Misses Josephine L. Patty, Al
ice L. Norton. Mary Elizabeth Ella and jose
phine Slocum, and the Grafton of President
Edwards.
The hall was packed TO its utmost capacity
by an Intelligent audience. Even the aisles
and all the available standing room was occu-
pied by people anxious to witness the ceremo-
mics and hear the GRAFTON. Over the platform,
In circle in well shaped letters Of evergreen,
was the Stata motto, "Ad astra peraspera."
The hall and windows were trimmed in green.
On one of the front seats sat the four young
ladies who were about to have conferred upon
them the honors of their dina Mater,
dressed in white. Judge Bailey presided, and
on the stage were several members of the
Board Of Directors, and other distinguished
citizens of the State. The exercises were
opened with prayer by President Denison, of
the Agricultural College. An anthem was sung
titled blossoms from the Life Of Mary Lyon,'
was read by Miss Ella. The next, entitled
Outward Bound,'' was read by Miss Norton.
Following was a sweetly sung quartette. Miss
| Patty read an essay, Beneath the Surface
Then came the last essay Of the graduates, en-
| titled 'Ad Astra per Aspera." by Miss SlOcum.
| These essays were all well written and well
| read. The graduates were each showered with
/ boquets of flowers they retired from the
platform. For depth of thought, and beauty
of language, we have seldom if ever heard
them excelled. Each address received special
encomiums from the audience, and the general
| exclamation was, Well done.
Rev. G. c. Morse presented the diplomas to
| the graduates in n brief and touching address
1t was filed with well chosen words of advice
and encouragement. After which the foul
graduates sung the beautiful class song which
we published last week. There was something
| sad in the thought that this was the last time
their voices were to be heard III the songs O
the Normal School. Those who have been il
the habit of attending the public occasions o
the institution know how much Miss Norton
Miss Patty and Miss Ella have added to thos
occasions by their sweet voices. They will b.
heard no more. They go cut into the worl,
now to enter upon new fields Of labor, and i
| 4
Normal no more, taking active part in its eX
ercises. Thus it is inlife. We pass from on
scene to another. We get familiar with per
sons and places. When we look again all l.
changed. The actors of to-day pass ON to-mor
row, and soon we lose signt of them. Is Their
not comfort in the reflection that on Lies grea
graduation day we may have grand re-uniol
IF all who have been dear to us in this life?
The EmpOria cornet band was present an,
favored us with some good music.
| Richard Edwards, President OF the Norma
University Of Illinois, delivered the Grafton
He is one of the first educators of the country
His life has been devoted to the cause. Iii
memory is stored with learning, and when h
stood before the great audience with his classic
al looking head, the eloquent and forcible eN
pressions Iell thicA and last from his lips. n
e wonder he held the audience spell-bond for a
l hour, even when they We're tired and warn
2 the committee did good thing W hen they st
cured his services TO deliver the Grafton. Ii
, complimented the faculty Of cur Normal, al
= OF bonn are graduates OF his institution. II
showed most cOncIusiyely the Use OF Norma
= schools, and the importance Of their being su.
: tanned by the State. He said If it WAS right t
spend hundreds Of thousands to build schoC
houses, it was right and economical for it t
spend a few thousand to sustain an institutio
of learning for the purpose OF fitting teacher
for their great work. But we cannot attemE
,, Il synopsis. We should only detract from til
}. speech, and could not give any just idea Of il
great eIoquence, force and heroic utterances
The exercises of the commencement closI
with singing and general cOngratulation of til
= graduates by their friends.
Il On the whole, the annual exercises for 1865
| at the Nol nal, : ,hool were an occasion whic
: will live in the memories of the participant
as long as they live.