The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-08-06
Annual Commencement at st. Mary-Jeterson So'
lexe Parish Of St. James, In.

The session of 1901 was brought to
close in this institution, ON wednesday,
July Goth, by an exhibition OF very IN
character. 700 +be
hour announced for the opening OF tue OK
cises but the popular stream moving lhto
the spacious saloon at that par'icuiar nv
ment. determined the College authorltles
to defer the commencement nan an , noui.
At half past eight an overture Marco
Spada) by ST. Mary's Brass Band, estao-
lished order in the assembled mnltitade.
Following this, full hour was devoted TO
some choice pieces on the piano ana viohn,
to comic song, duet, ETC., ana then was
-" The High Treasurer of Florence"
The dramatis persona consisted OF ABOUT
thirty of the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., soldiers,
men at arms, ETC., included; but the pfin-
cipal characters were ten chosen from tnose
who during the year had most distinguish,
ed themselves in their several classes OF
elocution.
AS it might be deemed invidious to name
the Young gentlemen that achieved the
greatest distinction, we shall only remark
that the most of them are natives OF New
Orleans-our friend George (who, by the
way, has just graduated} by no means the
least prominent among those that evinced
an intelligent appreciation OF their parts,
! and sustained them with admirable effect.
| We may not occupy your space with DC
tails of the play. Enough, thag IL was a
splendid composition, splendidly acted;
and, in some Of its passages, 80 affecting,
that the least impressible of the audience
were moved even to weeping:
No amount of interest land the interest
in this case was extremely can fully compen-
| sate for the nervous tension which over
two hours duration of an exciting drama
imposes. 1t was therefore very sagacious
and thoughtful on the part of the gentle
men managing the entertainment, to nave
provided relief in interludes by the brass
band and piano.
We are not disposed to exaggerate yet
we are apprehensive that none save those
who were present would aquit US of the
charge of exaggeration, should we even at
tempt to describe in adequate terms, the
prolonged applause that followed the con-
clusion of the performance.
Amid q buzz of admiration, the Presi-
dent assembled the platform and delivered
an address according to the yearly custom)
which, though intended specially as a pa
: ternal and parting advice to the young
gentlemen who were about to leave the
9 College-some temporarily, some forever
yet necessarily Coming from priest) con
y tanned matter of instruction and food fol
>. reflection suitable to all present.
The address was modest, concillatory
2, and hortatory /; yet decisive as to the du
ties we owe to ourselves, to society ana U
% God and we are warranted in saying tina
it was received with unmistakable demon
,, strations of appreciation and of pleasure
~ The anxiety of the pupils to revisit thei
y friends and homes, made them impatlen
g. of intermissions: and the College Fathers
% evidently accommodating themselves
ID the young folks wishes, left no intervenl
emit time in bringing forth the several part
,, of the entertainment /; but pushed them o
\ as rapidly as a due regard to the Proprit
80 ties would admit.
TO- Accordingly, the Presidents address WI
an scarce finished, when the Vice President
Rev. Father Piot-announced the the "di
he tribution of Primiums."
Before the distribution" the degree
"Bachelor of Arts" was conferred 9
Edwin Weter, and Marius Welte. tt
first two are natives of New Orleans; al
EN- we are happy to be able to bear testimor
me that their first Impressions of learning al
NJ virtue-now happily giving promise
,d- honorable and useful fruitage-were +
est Mr.. Weber is Creole of this parish; al
gi- Mr.. Welte, native of France.
red 'Twere a bootless task to enlarge on t
ose merits of these young gentlemen. Son
on. or all of them, are destined for the prize
49,. hood; and that they have deserved t
our degree conferred on them, and such oil
OF honors as a glance at the printed cataioe
ent of the College reveals, is their all-su
ife {; Gent recommendation.
and A few years ago, the fate Of st. Ma
mrs jefferson College was doubtful lts II
nss precarious. The Mar.st Fathers have b'
ork It up into solidity, permanency, and or
ippi usefulness. A few years ago, the enem
The of the College flor Catholic lnstitutio
rest like the Church itself, are fated to
,inp worlds enmity) gloated over its predic
ade speedy downfall now they are conius
' perplexed, dumbfounded, at its lncre ea
eS- prosperity; and wonder by what Jesu
cal intriguing a body of modest, retll
the men have been able to achieve sue
read for this institution, which utterly
sure POUNDS their malignant forecasting.
49,. "With the foolish things OF the VIC
i, oou' He confounds the wise, ETC."
men, The College Faculty comprise now, I
s Ca twelve to fifteen Ecclesiastics, (who de
urch, themselves to tho work of teaching,
anaore) and two or three lay assistants.
this students are increasing year by year
r hundred and forty now enrolled, agt
.no forty, four years ago.
ofics, These facts furnish the best proof to
who Catholic patrons of st. Mary-Jefferson
,ovels lege that they have chosen judicio'
H. Success is usually accented as evidenl