The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-07-04
Local Correspondence.


DEAR FREEMAN-The scholastic year il
many OF our collegiate institutes closed dur
ing the past week, and hundreds of young
people OF both sexes who for ten long month:
nao gone through the monotonous daily roll
! tine OF the educational course, are now Ell
! Joying the society of relatives and friend:
from whom they had long been separated
IL was my good fortune to assist ut the An
nual commandments in few of the insti-
tutfoiis in out own part of the State, and
thinking that brief notice of their exerci:
ces would not be unfavufably received, l
herewith proceed to perform the pleasant
task:
st. Francis College, Loretto was the first
IN the order OF Commencements- This In
sttutlon Is the pride of our county, and Is
destined yet TO play an important part in the
history of education in this country, The
edltce is most imposing one, and when
completed will afford accommodations to 200
students. The exercises commenced at a.
m. with Sautatory by Master Harry Nc
Ateer, OF Harrisburg. 1t was followed by
an original Grafton by Mr.. A. j. Reilly, of
Altoona, who took for his theme The Flu
ture OF American Youth" He pointed out
the glorious destiny that awaits our yOung
men, and concluded with a pathetic appeal
TO them not to be influenced by the pernis
clous examples so frequently given of late
by our Conscript Fathers, but rather to found
their re elations with American society on the
hnInutahle principles of Justice and Hon
esty. Next in order was a drama entitled
Brian Borrhoime," " in which the young ac-
tors did great credit to themselves and their
preceptors. Then n solid and we'll written
orntion on "Religion as the only Foundation
OF Society" followed by farce, ITO Paris
and Back for Five Pounds, - which elected
universal applause and hilarity. The Vale
dletory was delivered by Mr.. Hugh Toner,
OF Lancaster, Pa, At the conclusion, nearly
two hundred elegant premiums were dis
tr1buted among the successful competitors in
conduct and the several educational branch
es. The exhibition was eniivened by the
Ioretto Cornet Band, whose members it is
but Justice to say, performed very credita-
blyi considering the short time they have
been practising.
AT p. m. of the same day Rt Rev Rp
Domenec, the Vdtiotis clergymen and distin-
guished strangers who had honored the Col
ieEiate Commencement with tbeir presence
proceeded TO St. Aloysius Academy, boret-
to, and for three hours were agreeably enter.
tanned with choice selections in composition
and music. 1t might be unfair To Gliscritni-
nate among such an array of talent is the
Academy, thanks to the diligent training of
the good Sisters, was able TO present ON that
day, but the impartial opinion of all adj
Judged the palm of excellence to Miss Aggie
NJ 'Conretl, of Summitville, this county. Her
part as Amalia in the melodrama of "Thro'
Darkness to Light, composed especially for
the occasion, but particularly in her solo ''I
am not Mad" was rendered to perfection
and displayed artistic powers, developed in
one so young, that was really astonishing.
At p. IN: ON the following day, WED
nesday JUNE 25th,) the Annual Commence
ii1ent 1T st. Fincent's College, Latrobe, Pa,
tU0E place. The students, under the eff
Cient discipline ana training of the Benedic-
tine Brothers, furnished us with an imposing
programme, and what was still better, were
faultless in the rendition of its several parts
The principal feature of the bill was the de-
bate, ''Should n supervision he exercised
over the Press" The six young orators
who took sides pro and con were most hap
py III their arguments, but in my humble
opinion those on the affirmative side sue
ceeded most admirably in presenting in their
true colOrs the many evils resulting from the
present system of an tnbridled press, and
to my satisfied ion merited from
their young President the palm of victory
The Valedictory, composed and delivered
by Mr.. Charles Golden, of Wisconsin; ras
an elaborate and most successful pToduc-
tion, and deserves special mention. The
exercises we're enlivened by nliisc, such as
only the we'll known abilities of St. Vincent's
orchestra would lead us to expect, and every
thing passed off to the entire satisfaction of
all present and to the great credit of all who
brought about so pleasant an entertainment.
OF the Commencement at st. XavieT's
Academy; near Latrobe, (Thursday, 26th,
it is unnecessary to- say much. Suffice it to
REMARK, that we expected that the aforesaid
celebrated Academy would furnish an enter
tainnent equal, if not superior, IN those of
The music on piano and harp, the singing
the reCitatiOns, everything, in word; con-
nected with the programme, displayed Il tery
high order of merit, ard spoke we'll for tha
abilities of the nuns who were able to de-
YsfOp 40 successfully, in SO short n time
such n vast amount of talent. Though fear
full of passing OTef deserving names, [ can
not foreEO the pleasure Of contributing nv
need of praise to the abilities of Miss Annie
Hughes, of Blaifsville, Pa, who, in her ori=
ginal ValedictOry, spoke with sdch grace
and pathos as TO draw cOpiUIts tears from
her fond schOoInates and excite a respon-
sive sympathy in the vast audience. Nor
should forget little r. amy Kennedy, ,daugh-
ter of Mr.. John n. Kennedy. of HemIock
this county, who, although apparently not
more than seven years of age, nevertheless
displayed a ptecocity far in advance of her
Dream" composed, / understand, for her
especial benefit. She literally brought
down the house," 8" and the frequent applause
of the spectators was Tierited tribute to
talent that requires but little development
to rnr1i--r prolific in GOOD fruits
Such is my hurried account OF the COrr-
nencements at various Catholic Education
al institutions in Western Pennsyltania-
schools which are rapidly extending their
sphere of usefulness, which have given to
religion many Jealous missionaries and TO
society many honorobie members, and which
year by year are receiving an increased pa
tronage plainly indicative of an extended
and still extending endorsement by the pub
lie of the principles by which they gov
erned and the spirit tS which they are ami
mated. NIAToR.
FTER THE RATTLE