The colored visitor., 1879-08-01
GAINES HIGH SCHOOL.
Commencement Exercises at
Robinson's Opera House.
Cincinnati Gazette.

Robinson's Opera House.
Cincinnati Gazette.
The audience which assembled at
Robinson's Opera House to en- Joy
the commencement exercises OF the
Gaines High School (colored) was SO
large and SO appreciative, and the ex-
ercises were of SO high "A character,
that the occasion may be Justly
marked as red letter day in the his
tory of the school. There were
many white persons in the audience,
who expressed astonishmcnt at the
admirable character of the essays,
the delivery, and the singing.
The following programme of es-
says gives also the list of the gradu-
ates:
"Step by Step" p"........ Thomas Johnson
"Music" c"............FlO Florence Johnson
"Faith" ...........C .Consuelo Clark
Poetry. .Chas. d. llorner
"The Force that Wins. Leila Adams
emission and Influence of Women
Susan Johnson
Latin as a Classic" . John l. Jackson
Of these essays, the best was that OF
Miss Consuelo Clark, on "Falth.
All the essays, however, were well
written and we'll read or delivered,
comparing very favorably, at least so
far as the Young ladies were con-
cerned, with the work OF the two
larger high schools. The same can
be said of the music, the choruses
being well sung. The following
pieces were on the programme: 'Io
Our Immortal Leader" Mozart;
"Autumn," Sterling; 'Leave Me,
Wearied Muse" ''Israels Sons,
Rosslni; "Sovereign Eternal" )" ZAP
polio Strikes the Lyre," Bishop;
.sAlong the River of Time" Root.
The exercises were conducted by
the Principal, Mr.. Peter II. Clark.
The diplomas were presented to the
graduates by Mr.. 2. Carbery,
who was introduced by Mr.. ]. b.
Callahan, of the Local Trustees.
Mr.. Carbery, in presenting the
diplomas, made an address, which
was admirable in style as well as In
matter. 1t referred TO the destiny OF
the freedmen and of all who belong
to their race, and spoke OF the privl-
leee which the graduates had, of
standing on equal footing with their
white fellowmen. He urged them
to be courageous, for no one was ever
defeated who showed true courage IN
moments of trial and of struggle.
The school then sang the chorus
from X DOT referred to above, ''Along
the River of Time" At the con-
clusion of the song, Miss Minnie
Moore. one of the pupils OF the
school, stepped forward and pre-
sented TO Mr.. Victor Williams, who
had led the music, a basket,of flowers,
as token of the appreciation by the
school of Mr.. Williams timely as
s;stance. The music of the school is
regularly under the direction OF
Wendell Shiel, who, however, fell i'll.
Mr.. Williams took his place, and
carried the class successfully through
the exercises. In returning his thanks
for the flowers, Mr.. Williams sad
that he was always ready TO lend a
helping hand in this way, and he
always did the best he could.
| Mr.. Clark then announced that
the school would attempt song
which was not on the programme
Havdn's "Thc Heavens Are Iell-
inc" The class went through II
quite creditably.
The success of the exercises
throughout, is certainly something
on which the colored residents OF the
city are to be highly congratulated
and the way in which they filled tht
Opera House, and applauded the eN
ercises, showed that they were keenly
alive to the honor done them by th'
success of the commencement.
The above was sent us by a fflen'
in Cincinnati. Such items as TIN
make us happy, and we all ought t.
feel proud of our race. 1t has ON,
been a short time that we have ha'
these glorious privileges, and the
should be appreciated.
An exchange says: "This mlgra