Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-06-01
EDUCATIONAL.
Interesting Exercises at the Public
Schools Yesterday - The PhilOma-
thean Society OF the High School
Gives an Interesting Ex-
hibiti0n.
The Addresses and Comforting of DiplO-
mas on the High-SchOOI Graduates
The Market Street, Peabody,
and Other Schools.

cises at the ball of the Market street building
last night. A large and Intelligent audience
| was in attendance, which was drawn together
by an interest in the society itself and by the
| fact that one feature of the programme was
| to be the presentation of diplomas to the
1 graduating class, whose names are given
! below.
The society organized with the president,
| G. n. Churchill, in the chair. Secretary Hal
H. Maury read the proceedings of the society
\ at former meeting, at which the details OF
| the present entertainment were decided on.
The programme was opened by President
| e. N. Churchill, Who In a weil-wrltten speech
| gave brief historical sketch of the Philo-
mathean society fem its organization in
| 1861 to the present time.
| Miss Carrie Dobyns then read very pretty
essay, entitled Under the Lilies" which
| contained many gems of thought, and re-
ceived deserved applause.
Then followed song, "Mabei Clare, which
was rendered IN most acceptable manner by
| a bevy of young ladies OF the high school.
Mr.. G. W. Heiskell then read most hu-
| morous extract from Charles Lamb entitled
''Roast Pig of which his conception was
excellent.
The next essay, which was read by Mi; 8
| Genevieve Specht, on the subject of ''The
Influence of Song" was most beauti-
full in expression and delivered in a
manner which not only impressed her
hearers with her own acquaintance with the
subject, but her ability to treat it as it de-
served
Mr.. p. c. Knowlton then recited most
| beautiful and touching selection called
''Willie's Grave" in which he evinced ora
torical power of no ordinary character, and
secured the sympathetic appreciation of his
| audience.
The theme of "Woman's Influence" en-
| abled Miss Fannie Scott to give utterance to
some choice thoughts in style which could
not fail to exalt the ideas OF her listeners as
| to the influence of woman in the domestic
| and social sphere.
''Cataline's Defiance, as read by Mr.. San
ford wartzenberg, was gem. 1t was de-
livered with spirit and eloquence worthy of
such a selection, and was received with such
enthusiasm as to recall HIM again to the
stage, from which he withdrew amid renewed
plaudits.
"Ihe Ward Politician was handled in the
| next essay by Mr.. j. w. Gaines. who also
paid his respects to the great army of candi-
dates IN plthy, humorous and vigorous
manner. making several good "hits" on local
politics and politicians.
Mr.. G. K. Anderson then read selection
on The Working mems Party, or Com
munlsm, giving history of the present
organization and purposes of the communist.
The article was read admirably, and held up
to view a most fearful picture of the evils
likely to flow from the success of the COM
munists in the United States.
Mr.. M. L. Meriwether followed with an es-
say on The Present System of Education.
This subject was handled by the young
speaker not only with great origlnality-con-
sidering the triteness of his subject-but in
style which did great credit to his his
torical and classical reading. His treatment
of the education of the present day was ex-
ceedingl y practical, and the suggestions Of
fered as to the necessity for the education of
the faults which exist in the present educa-
tlonal system were put philosophical and ap
poste, his effort being mainly to prove the
necessity, In this Unitarian age, of special
education for the business pursuits of life.
A sweet song, entitled "Murmuring Sea-"
varied the programme at this point, thus
mingling the Charm of fresh young voices,
united In delightful harmony, with the more
serious intellectual pleasures of the evening,
evidencing careful preparation, and fully ex-
hibltlng It's effect upon the auditory of the
divine ant.
1.-The Inequality of Rank furnished Mr..
w. K. Taylor with subject which was we'll
treated at his hands, showing the evils which
result from the arbitrary distinctions of rank,
and the power of education in overcoming
such distinctions.
''Horatius at the Bridge" received at
the hands of Miss Alice Mitchell a
graceful and dramatic rendering, which
bespoke for her the closest attention of every
nearer. Macauley's noble ''iay" has indeed
rarely been given with more beauty and spirit
than by this lovely young lady graduate.
Mr. G. r. Byrne had selected as his sub
ject ''Eloquence," and he depicted in we'll
chosen language and most graphic style the
beauty and power of this God-like gift upon
individuals and society, illustrating his points
by carefully selected historical examples.
Geology" a subject both hard and dry to
L. 1o. Eol - l.. ~
Lamberson from the standpoint of an earnest
and devoted lover Of this useful and prdcti-
cal branch Of knowledge, and gave ample
proof that his study OF it during his recent
school course is likely to bear fruit at no dis
tant day, which will be an honor to the
high school of which he is a graduate.
1t is rare that any audience IN Memphis
has been treated to a more delicate, beau
tiful and touching piece of recitation than
where's Annette" as recited by Miss
Jennie Hewitt. 1t was not mere recitation
it was something higher than that-the tone,
manner of delivery and gesture, bearing ev-
idence of a histrionic tllent susceptible of the
highest cultivation, and which has that quail
ity in it that moves mankind as nothing else
Is able to do. A song by the young ladies
made harmonious finale TO the regular pro-
gramme of exercises, which were of great in
terest and listened to with pleasure through
out.
ably postponed, owing to the inability of the
printers to get them ready in time. The
graduating class was then called forward and
listened to an able
ADDRESS BY THE SUPERINTENDENT, COLO
MEL LEATH.
YOUNG LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, GRADUATES OF
THE MEMPHIS HIGH SCHOOL-It is sometimes we'll
said and done thousands Of Years ago and Wbie5
have been transmitted to us by history For In
eral. Antipater, the contemporary of Alexander the
Great conquered the Lacedemonians, he demanded
that fifty Of their CHILDREN should be surrendered to
ing that they would prefer to give
tty OF n even fv one HUNDRED OF their adult
assigned for this refusal is Well worth remembrance
and is germane to this occasion They said: "Our
children as yet uneducdted, and to deliver any
of them up hostages would be 10 deprive them Of
that training and instruction which Sparta provides
for all her children; while our grown and mature
men already educated and fixed In their princi-
pies of virtue and honor" You, young ladies and
of thecity of Memphis, and having acquired an
education sufficient for an the useful purposes of
life, according TO the Spartan principle. you now
eligible as hostages, and are prepared to go forth
into the world and commence the battle of life So
thst il is said Stone be- % S the
wave Will be produced which will agitate,
more less drop in its vast
OF moral force is equally great If so, how
momentous must be the moral consequences and
results produced this evening By casting, now
do, twenty-eight young ladies and gentlemen into
the vast ocean Of practical and real life At this
commencement hour of your secular pursuits in life
would have you to remember that your future life,
whether 1t reach to three years and ten or
less, Is diUideLd, and that you, as the diUiSOrs
must stIive to get the highest QtLotient
figures possible out of each year, each
day and each hour given you as partial
dividends; You know that the slightest mistake
made in the process of division makes an erroneous
result In The answer and the work has 10 be done
over again TO correct the error. beg of you young
ladies and gentlemen IN your daily process OF d.
vision = z w mis- aEasa Ssfh 10
and endeayor always to arrive at correct results To
do this Will require on your part the utmost dill
gence In daily avocatons and the least possible
waste OF time. As desire to be entirely practical
this occasion, allow me to submit few brief sug