New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-07-02
From Virginia.
HAMPTON, VA, June II, 1874.

To the Editor ollie Neo National Era:
The fourth annual commencement of the
Hampton Normal School was held in the
Assembly Room Of the Institute on Thurs
day, the llth instant. The visitors were
not SO numerous this year as they were last,
but the exercises were equally as good and
entertaining. The morning exercises con-
sisted of recitations by the various classes in
the recitation rooms and rhetorical exercises,
all of which were conducted to the great sat-
isfaction Of the audience. After the exam
inatiOn was over the students and visitors
repaired to the Assembly Rooms, where ex-
cellent music was furnished by the Band
of the National Soldiers Home. At l.3O
"A. NJ. the music ceased, and then came the
THEORETICAL EXERCISES.
Music by the choir.
Salutatory j. Davis
Recitation Maud Muler-By Miss Mile
Galloway.
Oration-A. +. White.
Essay-Work-By Miss Mary Z. Melvin
This was an effort we'll worth the audience
of any assemblage. The matter which it
contained, aud the excellent construction Of
its sentences, showed that there had been
much time and brain spent to make the COM
position a successful one.
Select Reading-Benj. E. Tonsler.
Oration-M. NJ. Mendenhall.
Music-ChOir.
acknowledgements Del Carpio-Jenne
Joy.
Essay-Temperance- Mclean.
Select Reading-The Vagabonds-by VIM.
L. Greenhow, who stands a model for his
class and the institute he has so recently
left, in intellect and morals. lie will I'M
doubtedly be one of our future philosophers.
lie read well, being entirely at ease from
embarrassment. He would have his audi
ence at one time tickled with delight, and
then they sat with tears in their eyes.
neutrality-suspicious. E. Stephens.
The diplomas were presented by the Rev.
George Z. Whipple, of New York, after a
few impressive and fitting remarks.
These exercises being closed, the invited
guest were requested to repair to "Virginia
Hail." where lunch was served. After lunch,
all were asked to the New Chapel, where
music was to be furnished by the Military
Band of Fortress Monroe, and speaking by
few prominent men, among whom were
Gen. o. o. Howard, Of Washington, ID. c.;
Rev. DR.. Armstrong, of Norfolk, Virginia;
State Senator Allen, DR.. Ruhner, State Su-
perintendent Public Instruction, and others.
DR.. Armstrong was introduced, and said !:
lie remembered being lost near mountain
while travelling with friend, and, becoming
separated, they wandered for many hours,
and at last they both came together at the
top of the mountain, which led him to think
that the North and South had met together
at the top of the mountain to-day. [Great
applause.]
He spoke in glowing praise Of the school
and promised to use his influence in its be-
half.
Senator ALLEN said: Ladies and Gentle
men, and the College at large, when such
men as DR.. Armstrong, whom he considered
the mouth-piece Of public opinion in this
State, spoke so favorably of the school, we
may be sure of its success. He said that the
entire colored race in the United States is
looking to this institute for their elevation.
Gen. Howard made some very brief re-
marks upon lone and money, which were quite
pleasing to the audience and instructive to
the students, as was shown by the frequent
applauses.
DIR. RuAner was next introduced, and,
stepping forward, said Ladies and Gentle
men Among the things that I never ex-