The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1877-05-31
Eaton High School Commencement

more densely packed than on the eve
ming of the oath inst. Every nook and
corner was filled, and was most taste
fully decorated. There is a never-wan-
ing interest in the welfare of youth,
and each annual return of their public
exercises of the graduating class of our
excellent schools, brings together such
an audience as few other occasions can
gather. The schools of Eaton are the
pride of its people, and they have under
efficient management been gradually
eleyating the standard of scholar ship,
until few towns ever in Ohio, can claim
superiority in this respect, and we
think we can truthfully say that the
year just closed has been one of which
the patrons, the friends and the pupils
of schools may justly feel. proud.
The exercises commenced at 8 O'Clock
p. m, by an overture from Churchill's
Orchestra, which did itself honor by
the excellence of its execution of the
music it furnished. An invocation by
the Rev. Mr.. Lamb followed, and after
music, Glen. r. Gilmore, the son of our
honored citizen, Judge w. j. Gilmore,
of the Supreme Court of our State de-
livered an Grafton. His subject was
"TRE THEATER." The subject was ably
handled and well delivered, and por-
t;opc Of bic dafapoa of tho thoofor u-ac
eloquent and able. He referred to
Bunyon's Pilgrims Progress as pro-
duct or o%utgrowth of the theater. He
condemned the indiscriminate warfare
the church has made upon the theater,
claiming if the church would encourage
the good, it would elevate its tone and
make it once more the great moral en-
CINE it was in the earlier civilization.
1t was a fine production, and the speak
er merited the hearty applause and the
floral shower he received.
The Solo, by Miss Lake with the pi-
ano accompaniment by Miss Mitchell,
which followed, deserved the hearty
tribute the audience accorded It's rendi-
ton.
The second Grafton was by Miss Mary
V. Gould, "LIFE WITH AN AIM" Miss
Gould treated the subject comprehen-
sively, and the style and thought en-
bodied in her Grafton was very credita-
BILE and evinced culture and training.
The grand Interrogation, "why we are
living" meets all, and the response
comes from every grand opportunity
which life affords, in every victory
over obstacles, in every triumph which
results from we'll directed effort. Life,
to be successful, must have some lofty
aim, and that once fixed, we should
move forward in its pursuit without
fear or faltering, then each day will
find us making a noble advance, and the
world will know that we live with aims
worthy of our being. Miss Gould's ora
ton was received by the immense audi
ence with marked manifestations of
approval.
Mrs. Richey sang, cit may be years,
it may be forever" as only Mrs. Richey
can render it, and Miss Sue Stephens
played a piano accompaniment in ex-
cellent style. Mrs. Richey's rendition
of music, the sweetness, strength and
purity of tone, and above all, her thor
ough and full comprehension Of senti-
ment makes her a favorite not only
here, but with all audiences.
Martin Fishers CHORDS OF CREATION
was in some respects a departure from
tie beaten path ordinarily followed in
the treatment of the subject, and show
ed originality of thought. 1t was well
delivered and favorably received by
those present.
Miss Mitchell favored the audience
with a piano solo, which was executed
with good taste.
An grafton, "WrTHER ARE WE END
ING, by David Neal followed. Mr.. Neal
first analysed the nature of mankind
and delineated in an able manner its
steady progress from barbarism to its
present high degree of civilization and
power. That up through the struggle
of ages he has emerged into a nobler
life and a broad individual liberty. All
the tendencies of the age are to freedom,
and he ~eloquently urged that we cher
ish the great principle until mankind
everywhere attain the object of their
creation. Mr.. Meals Grafton did him
much credit and was well received.
Next came a well rendered solo, by
Miss Stephens, accompanied on the pi-
ano by Miss Mitchell.
Next came the gem Of the evening,
SCHOLARSHIP A LIFE Work." followed
by the Valedictory by Miss Dora Kay
Ter. An education, both moral and in
tellectual, should be the highest goal of
our ambition. Intelligence to see the
right, virtue and energy to pursue it.
Those who make a mark in the world
do so not merely because they are edu-
Gated according to the standard of our
educational institutions, but because
they continue to educate themselves in
heart and soul and intellect. True ed
u~cation has given us all that is valua-
BILE in literature, it laid the foundations
of our government. and to true educa-
ton the world must look for its protec-
ton. The education of a Spartan was
not considered completed before,his six
tieth year. Nothing in or life is SC
good it may not be made better. AS
virtue is its own reward true culture
ministers to it's own high enjoyment
sc. The Grafton was followed by ar ell
oquent Valedictory address to the SUI
perintendent, Teachers, the Directors
Z and her classmates. The close atten-
ton paid by the great audience was nc
less a compliment than the plaudits and
floral tributes at the close.
: The duet which followed, by Misses