The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-06-16
bic alike 10 tI;e faithfnI sklll of the teaehers

aDu Tue utHReuce OIL Luz PupHss ts-*g7
The exercises were fnterspersed with yer,
sweet singing by The Hampton Singers
aud the visitors all seemed delighted.
at II O'clock the students formed pro.
cession. and the juniors escorted the gradu.
ating class to the dining. hail, where dinner
was served to them and their guests. The
whites were entertained with an elegant col.
lition at General Armstrong; house, W here
wespent an hour most pleasantly In discuss.
ing the delicacies of the season and co.
gagged 10 agreeable social intercourse.
At13 2. NJ. the commencement exercises
proper were held ia the chapel, which was
crowded to its utmost capacity.
Among the invited guests on the platform
were noted Rev. DR.. Wbipple, Of New
York; Rev. Philip Brooks, OF Boston Rev.
Or. William NJ. Taylor, Of Broadway taber-
nacle, New York; Rev. Charles l.. Brace, of
Connecticut; Wellington Smith, ESQ.,, and
Rev. Dr.. Gale, of Massachusetts; Rev. Ed
ward Everett Hale and James Lodge, ESQ.,,
Of Boston; Rev. Mr.. Harding, editor OF the
Springfield (Mass.) Republican Rev. FL. r.
Cheever, of Worcester, Mass; Rev. T. X.
Fessenden, of Connecticut; MIR. j. C. Kin.
uey, Of the Hartford Comm Cou, ant /; Jos.
NJ. Morton. editor of the Home Circle, Phil
adelphia; John Haberton, of the Christian
Union. New York; Mr.. Grout, of the Con.
gregationalist; Colonel B. S. Ewell, presi-
dent OF William and Mary College; Mr..
Mckee, of New Haven; Judge Robert w.
Hughes, Of the United States District Court
Professor N. 3. Webster, Captain Samuel
Wilson, General r. l.. Page, Judge Dor.
man, II. Snarp, G. Biliups, Rev. j. E. Cook,
Rev. E. n. Crane, Rev. K. II. Vaughan, of
Norfolk; Major j. F. Crocker, of Ports
mouth; Rev. DR.. George F. Adams. Colonel
Thomas Tabb, and number OF other citi-
zens of Hampton, and large number of
ladies from various localities.
The following rhetorical exercises Of the
graduating class were then bad:
Music; salutatory, Alice NJ. Ferribee;
recitation (Horatius at the Bridge, William
P. Henry essay Beauty, Sallie Z. Greg
Org; music; essay Compulsory Edueation),
Charles W. Green; debate on the "Anntxa-
ton of Cuba" Robert j. Whiting, Booker
Washington music; reading from Dick
ens's "Squeers' School," III. NJ. Mendenhall:
recitation high Tide on the Coast OF Lin
colnSbire, Maria l.. Ferribee; essay (Old
Time Music). Joseph B. Towe; music; reel
tation Sandal phon), Joseph G. Mebane vale.
dictory (Fbe Black Man as a Voter and Citi.
zen), Jonn W. Collins.
These exercises were very creditable as a
whole, though they proved that Paul was
right in not suffering oonlen to speak IN
public. 1t may be an "old fogy" prejut:ce.
but in my judgment the performances of The
girls on the occasion would have been far
better if some male voice had rendered
them.
The essay on ':Compulsory Education "
took extreme ground in favor OF it, which
we are not yet prepared TO receive in this
latitude, but the argument was very well put.
The debate was exceedingly creditable.
The essay on "Old-Time Music,' inter-
spersed with illustrations Of the cold slave
songs" rendered by the famous Hampton
Singers" was admirable, and the effect on
the audience electric. The essayiSt divided
these old songs into "spiritual," work
songs" and "comic SONGS" gave specimens
of each, and lamented that they were going
into disuse.
The address on " The Black Nan as q
Voter and Citizen" was very sensible and
practical. 1t pitched into the scalaWags"
and " carpet-bagger>," who had been leading
the pceroes 10 their ruin, gave sensible and
sound advice, and urged that the great need
OF the race was education, combined with
intelligence and honesty in their leaders.
Tue music was entirely vocal. was very
sweet, and was frequently applauded to the
echo, or loudly encored.
The diplomas were delivered to the forty
graduates ny Rev. DR.. Whipple, of New
York, president of the Board OF Trustees.
General Armstrong then stated that ne
would call out for brief, impromptu speeches
q number of the distinguished visitors pre-.
sent, who represented different sections OF
the country.
Rec. Eduard Everett Hale, Of Boston,
was first called OUT. lie said that this was
the first commencement be had ever attended
where the pupils made their own music, and
that, too, so much sweeter than the hired
bands. He eXhorted the students 10 make
their own fortunes as well as their own mu-
sic; to rely on themselves in more important
matters tDan this, and to go forth from these
splendid buildings Qbe best be had ever
.een) to represent their race, to rear Hamp-
ION Institutes all over The land. and 10 elevate
their PEOPLE not By secret societies ana
grips, but by being intelligent followers OF
the Lord Jesus Christ.
Colonel B. s. Etrell Of William and Mary,
said that the examinations of the day had
convinced him that this is one OF the very
hest institutions of its kind IN the whole
country.
Rev. DR.. William, Taylor, Of New York,
had been present two years ago, when the
foundation stone Of this BUILDING was Iald,
and most warmly congratulated It's friends
on the splendid success achieved.
Judge r. ". Hughes next spoke.
Req DR.. Gale. OF massachusetts, was graf
fled at the minliness Of thought, correctness
of department, and excellent recitations of
the pupils.
General Armstrong spoke or the noble
work which the public schools OF virginia
are doing for the colored people and the
kindly relations between them and the
graduates Of Hampton, and called out MAJOR
Crocker, superintendent of the public
schools of Portsmouth.
MOTOR Croker followed General Arm
strong.
Per. Mr.. Harding. Of the Springfield Re
publicqn. spoke of the splendid clvIllzltion
of New England, produced by the church
and the schoo.house, and held 1t up for ln-
Struction and imitation. He alluded to The
failure of their effJrts to educate the Indians,
and held that up as warning.
General Armstrong next called out Rec.
J. William Jones, Of Richmond, who testified
to the readiness of the people OF Virginia 10
do what they could for the colored people,
aud alluded to the pleasing fact that there
were on that platform men of every section
and creed, united 10 their approval OF this
work and the judlcious manner in which it
was being conducted.
Reu. DR.. adams, of Hampton, desired on
behalf of the community TO testify to the
ability and faithfulness OF the faculty and the
excellent department of the students.
General armstrong responded in terms of
warm thanks Tor the kindness always shown
the Institute by the people of Hampton.
Rev. DR.. Whpple and Rev. MIR. Phillips
conducted evening prayers. while tue Hamp.
ton singers led - How Firm Foundation"
And thus closed this very pleasant COM