Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1871-07-11
ST. CLARA COMMENCEMENT
Large Attendance Good Exercises-Vale
dictory-GeneraI Inform alton, etc.

~A@NhSthl az /
Slnslnawa Mound, in the south west
ern skirts of Grant county. The dav
was quite fair, and quite warm. Rain |
in considerable quantities had fallen |
the night before. This enabled the |
farming community TO attend the
entertainment, aud made riding to
those who came from abroad much
more delightful than it would have
been had the roads been covered
with dust This Sinsinawa Mound
is as lovely spot as any other in
the State, and the number of people
that are yearly attracted hither from
far and near is a source of wonder
to many and of just pride to the de
voted sisters by whom the we'll
known institution here located ia
so successfully conducted. A large
concourse of people present-delega-
tons from Piatteville. Galena, Du-
buque, Hazel Green and a great
many other places Soon after the
doors OF the spacious ball are thrown
open, the room is densely crowded,
aud not u few are unable 10 gain adj
m ttance. The majority of those in
attendance belong to the better.
the cultivated classes of society.
This is indicative of the character of
the exercises, and furnishes forth
the best recommendation that
school can possibly require.
A Grand Entrance March" opens
the exercises This musical perform
ance is grand, sure enough, not cheap
and pretentious, az such things some
times are. Wihake LaBatte, a lit
tie Indian girl spoke the the Saluta-
ry. This was in the primmer style
OF rhetoric, though withal quite
clever, considering its source. Those
who believe that "man came from a
mammal that lived up tree, and a
great coat Of hair on the outside had
he" will of course rejoice to learn
how little Wihake has developed and
improved since becoming an inmate
Of this quiet and Christian home.
The dusky maiden's mother was there
also, and expressed by her looks
that she thought her promising
daughter the biggest injun" by
several sizes that the hall contain.
ed.
Several musical performances are
now given, after width the Intro
ductory is delivered by one OF the
graduates, Miss Belle O'Neill, of
Wisconsin. Upon the conclusion of
this address, which led the hearers
for the most part along the beaten
road of the commonplace, Father
Perrodin presented diplomas to the
five handsome and accomplished
members of the graduating class
Susie Earnest, Joanna Kinsella, and
Belle O'Neill of Wisconsin, Mag.
gle Power of Iowa and Minnie Burns
of Minnesota.
Woman Suffrage was discussed by
the senior pupils, more music served,
and laurels for proficiency in studies
awarded to three of the ladies Liz
zie Ennor. Lizzie Mathews, and
Laura Mckay. Then came more
music-"Eeho Chorus" following
which the audience were RECALLED
with literary repast entitled Min
inns Protest. (Minim means small
being or thing.) Ida Earnest and
Laura Mckay sang the "Accomplish-
cd Young Lady" and they rendered
the piece i'll way that all admired
and heartily applauded.
This year the task Of delivering
the Valedictory devolved upon Miss
Minnie Burns, the graceful and
vivacious Minnesota member of the
graduating class. This contained a
good deal Of fine sound and finer sem
timent, and wss so very d licious to
sN allow that it made one liken it un-
to capital glass of oratorical soda
water The origin of the human soul
has always been matter Of mystery
to most folks, but after reading the
following from the Valedictory ad-
dress of the delightful and accom-
plished Minnie, the thing becomes
plain and luminous enough
I" The great universe
was still throbblng with the impress
of Divinity. Perfection of beauty,
light and shade, all spoke of Omni>
potence. But it was only when
Jehovah went forth in praise of his
own work, creating the music of
light and sound, that the language of
Heaven was transmitted to earth.
Then did creation become one sleep
less Tyre, whose mystic chords were
ever vibrating to the touch of the
invisible God. Then did earth, and
sea, and sky, all declare the glory of
God through the tones of universal
harmony, while the illimitable regions
of space gave back the echoes of
that eternal tone. Then amid this
grand orchestra of nature rose up
one voice, deep, worshipful--so la
den with prayerful tones that the
angels hushed their Tyres to catch its
thrilling melody. This was the sou
of man-God's own created instrul
ment, animated and famed into
music by the very breath of the
Deity"
Honors were now conferred and
presents distributed, medals being
given to the graduates, and books of
considerable worth to the other pu-
pills, after which grand march of
exit brought on the finale. And in
due course of time the Immense
hawdience" was once more under the
free sky and hot sun. breathing fresh
air and feeling little used up.
The people of Grant county may
well feel proud that st. Clara Acad-
envy is located within their borders,
and that it is one Of the most popu-
lar seats Of learning in the West.
The location of the school is of the
most healthful and attractive charac-