The New York herald., 1868-05-31
COOPER UNION COMMENCEMENT.

The ninth annual commencement of the Cooper
Union celebrated last night In the large lecture
hall Of that building The room was crowded to re.
pletOn with the friends of the pupils and many who
were drawn nither from motives OF curiosity and
pleasure. The place was handsomely OrHamented
with the national colors and the arms OF the different
States, illuminated shields, were hung up In con-
spicuous parts Of the hall. The platform had been
enlarged for the OCCASION in order to afford room for
the numerous pupils, the board OF directors of the
institution and the orchestra. 1t was some time
after the hour announced on the programme that
the exercises commenced. The chair was occupied
by the veteran founder OF the institution, Peter
Cooper, whose appearance on the platform was the
signal for an Outbnrst OF enthusiasm which made the
walls echo back the heartfelt greeting accorded him.
Following him were the directors, and after them
came the pupils, male and female, who took their
allotted seats on either side Of Mr.. Cooper.
When all were seated and the first welcome of the
audience passed away into silence the Rev. Dr.
Burchard rose and spoke the opening prayer, calling
above might give strength and earnestness to the
pupils to persevere In the path Of studies they had
chosen. Following the reverend gentlemen and first
In the order OF exercises was the sautatOry address
MISS Fanny E. Plumb. This lady was followed by
bers the orpheon class under the direction Of Mr.
Jerome Hopkins Next came an Grafton ON "Ambi-
again regaled the audience with festival anthem
"Oh, be joyful in God,n and an essay on Fright
Action" was spoken by Miss Sarah w. Fuller
Mr.. Abram s. Hewett then read or rather spoke on
the progress Of the Institute during the past year.
In the course OF ms remarks he adverted to lack
city and the consequent loss they must necessarily
experience in not being able to possess themselves Of
the many facilities which the Cooper Union classes
held out to those who desired to help themselves.
The Inst>ute was established with the view to help
the working classes to possess technical education
but in order to do first necessary that they
should at least have the rudments OF a common
school education. 1t was to be regretted that the
number was deplorably low. There is, continued
the speaker. sort OF personal pride existing
among the mechanics OF New York which prevents
from nf Atn nj fnhf cohn In tl,,
different educational districts in the city. He re-
gretted that this state Of things existed In order
Education has resolved to establish what may be
termed high night schools, where workngmen
eement"rv nrnciUles Of edncation may Which, when
possessed, may enable them to acquire the advan-
ages OF technical education In the Institute classes
He concluded his remarks by an allusion to the
future prospects OF the institution
Wilson G.. Hunt gave an account of the financial
condition Of the society for the past year. 1t is as
ERcEIpTs.
Balance on hand January l, lS67............ $2s13
Total. ........................$3 .$39 $50
EXPENDITURES
Expenses attendant on the running OF the in
stitution from JAM /, 1867 to JAM l, ls0s.. 1925
Balance in treasury January l, 1868. ..... So 7s4
Rent due Cooper Union. 1858
Total balance. .......................... ss,37s
Unexpended appropriation. SIZE
Net balance. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. $l57
The valedictory was then spoken by one OF the
pupils, Mr.. John Mccarthy; after the delivery OF
which Mr.. Cooper made the following presentations
to the pups:-
Presentation Of the Cooper Union medal and d.
plomas to Miss Fanny L. Plumb, Miss Sarah w.
Fuller, Mr.. Henry J. Pape and Mr.. John Mccarthy.
Presentation Of diplomas to Misses Blanca b.
Bondi, Frances Ketcham Abbe 7. Crane and Laura
f. Bower.
Presentation Of the 'Iane, and Lows prizes OF
500 each, in gold, to Miss Mary Hallock and Miss
Hattie Westbrook.
Awarding Of silver medals, presented by the ladies
of the Advisory Council TO Mas Emeline Whitaker,
Mrs. Curtis Miss Ella V. Thompson, Miss +. DE Kay
and Miss Sarah NJ. Freeborn.
The presentation of awards brought the exercises
to a close.