The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1870-12-30
THE COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES AT
THE NORMAL.

The AORmALs
The extreme cold weather prevented
the exercises commencing promptly at
the hour announced; but q half hour
later the assembly room was crowded
with students and visitors. Lieut.. Gov
ernor Eslxridge presided. After the
singing of an anthem, prayer was offer
ed by Rev. Thomas Jones of this place.
Of the graduates, Miss Mary L. Duren,
of Garnett, Kansas, was the first to pre-
sent herself to the audience. She read
in a very clear, distinct voice, an inter
esting and well-written essay ON the
subject Good Wine needs no Bush"
Her essay was devoted, for the most
part, to relating the history of the re-
nowned PestaloZZi, and explaining his
relation to the Prussian system of edu-
cation. Miss Duren acquitted herself
very handsomely. Mr.. David NJ. Bales,
of Toledo, Kansas, delivered an Grafton
on the uses and Abuses of Ridicule."
Mr.. Bales handled the subject with con-
siderable ability. He showed what a
powerful weapon ridicule really is when
welded by the hand of master. He
pointed out very clearly the various eff
fects produced by it, and affirmed that
it should be employed with great care
and consideration. Mr.. Bales delivered
his Grafton with perfect self-possion,
and it was evidently well received by
the audience. After the singing of
another piece of music, Miss Nellie a.
Storrs was announced, and came for
ward and read an admirable essay on
the subject of ''Music in and out of
School" Miss Nellie stood up as
champion for her loved art quite nobly.
She haughtily derided the idea that none
but fools were good musicians, citing
numerous examples where the greatest
intellectually was combined with the
greatest musical skill. Miss Storrs
portrayed the happiness that might
be possessed did we only cultivate
a taste for, and practice the art of
music. What a change it would make
in the home circle, in the school room,
in our churches, in the hearts of every
one. The hearty response she received
from those present as she left the ros-
trum proved that the audience were in
sympathy with her sentiments and were
heartily pleased with her delightful es-
say. Mr.. John NJ. Spangler was the
next speaker, who delivered an Grafton
on ''The Apostle Paul as Teacher"
Mr.. S. related in an interesting manner
the Apostles method of instructing the
Churches and dealing with his enemies.
His Grafton was one of great merit,
written in good, smooth English, and
pronounced in an almost faultless man
ner. Mr.. Spangler was applauded at
the close of his speech. "Kansas Ex-
poets Every Teacher to do His Duty"
was the subject of the last exercise, be-
ing an essay read by Miss Sarah H.
Hawkins, of Virgil, Greenwood county.
We should judge Miss Hawkins to be a
young woman of considerable original
ity and great perseverance and industry.
Her essay evinced much good, sound
thought, and was wrought out quite
skillfulIy. The closing part, being the
valedictory, was very fine. Her words
to the students, to the teachers and to
her classmates, were all well chosen and
we'll spoken. Another piece of music,
then came the address of Prof. Kellogg
to the Graduating Glass. He made it
quite brief, owing to the lateness of the
hour. He was sensible, he said, of a
mingled feeling of pain and pleasure,
now that the time had come when he
must say good bye to the class of 1870.
The pleasure, however, far outweighed
the pain. He knew that those about to
leave the institution would acquit them
selves nobly in their new field of labor
He spoke a few appropriate words to
each member of the class, and then 8
few more to the class as whole, and
closed. In the afternoon the graduate:
received their diplomas at the hands Of
Gov. j. NJ. Harvey, whereupon the an.
nual Grafton was delivered by the Hon
1. S. Kalloch, of Lawrence. Mr.. KaI.
loch's subject was "Public Speaking,
and consisted principally of advice as tt
how to become efficient public speakers
Mr.. X. took the ground that the art o
public speaking was one of the mos
useful accomplishments to be acquired
by every student. He urged it as du
ty, and cited many instances in ancien
and modern history where the orator
swayed and ruled the multitudes to ;
greater extent than those who hat
welded the sword. Mr.. Kalloch, per
haps, has no equal in this State as al
orator, and hence his example was a
forcible. as his precepts. His addres
was replete with interest. He kept hi
audience in q good humor by interspers
ing his theme with good anecdote. TIL
frequent rounds of laughter told hoy
closely he had the attention and sYmpa
thies of his audience. We have no
room for further comment. We coult
give but a poor idea of the address evel
if we had. Such a speech must b
heard to be appreciated. We are YER
sure that his effort gave satisfaction t
all that heard it.
The exercises of the occasion close,
with benediction by Rev. Mr.. Jone
of the First Congregational Church.
BEN WHEATON'S SLEEP IN TIL