Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-04-16
rmE LEoNAaD GRADED scHooL.

THE LEONARD GRADED SCHOOL.
Nm. Enron The Commencemsnt exercises Of
this school were held In Pies Opera House. on
Thursday evening last, April 10Th. I Ieravs your
indulgence for short Communication in which
/ will give a brief review Of them. The elass-
twelve 10 numbsr-nsatly Arrsyed 10 holiday at
tire, were seated upon the stage, In company
with the faculty, Board Of Directors, and clergy
men Of the town. A very large audience oeeu.
pied the hall, whose upturnsd eager faces pro-
sentod quite M animated appearance. Precisely
at the appointed hour the Principal, Prof. Young
man. called tho assembly to order, aud prayer was
offered BY Rev WIN. II. Dill, A. NJ. Of cisarasld.
The orpheus Band then dl,eoursed most excellent
music. and, at intervals repeated the instalimelt
nobly sustaining their wsll-earned reputation as
an organization Of rare musical talent and pro.
hcleney.
The salataiOry, in words Of happy gree,ing,wAs
spoken by Miss LizIie Hartswiek. II deserves
more than passing notice. She was graceful,
fluent and at times really eloquent. Her tri-
buie Of respect to tho gray old Judge,
who has done 80 much for the school, was happily
conceived and most delicately uttered.
W. Clark Tate then rendered a. Tho True Hero +"
with good success. His thoughts were fresh, and
expressed in an earnest style, carrying conviction
to the hearts Of all.
He was followed by Miss Virginia Reed, who
road practical aud very hopeful essay on
" Lifes Voyage"
John Y. Short was tho next speaker. His sub
ject was The Dress Ia not tho Man" It was
a pointed and racy speech, carrying away the au.
dience in rosnds Of applause. l predict sue
eessfal career for the young man II hs practices
In life the principles be enunciated 10 his ad-
dress
That large class Of the community called
" Busybodies was the theme Of neat Essay
from Miss Martha Kennard but II was read in
too low q tone to be distinctly heard.
"souroes Of a Nations Wealth" by Alonro P.
Macleod came next. This was a hne production
and was delivered in graceful and self-posssssed
manner by the youthful orator, and made hnc
impression.
The Good Old Times +" was we'll sustained by
Miss Dove Thompson. She read in a clear voice
"a more than ordinary oOmposiiion-and was
rewarded by the hearty applause Of an apprecia-
tive audience.
W. Irwin Shaw then delivered a fne address
on "Indepondcnco Of Thought in America"
Brave words bravely spoken was my meH,al com
nent when listened to the manly young man.
as he earnestly detained for the independence Of
thought In bis native land.
"Have Purpose" was model essay distinctly
read by Miss Mary Powell. II tho homo truths
so gracefully and effectively expressed by this
young lady are properly nurtured, there cannot
fail to come forth an abundant hsrves, Of success
In the future.
Miss Cynthia Morgan presented some sugges-
tive thoughts on the subject Of "MOtives to Per-
severance" and earned hearty approval from her
hearers.
At this time Prof. D. @. Youngman, the eul.
tured and efficient Principal, presented the
Diploma to each member Of the graduating class.
His address was uttered 10 ehaste language ex-
pressing appropriate thoughts, and, no doubt,
profoundly impressed the class. As this was the
FIRST public effort Of the Professor in my hearing,
| was greatly pleased, aud. il from this speech /
am TO learn the character Of the man, cheer
fully render a favorable verdict and congratulate
tho community upon having gentleman of such
excellent attainment to preside over their justly
popular school.
Finally came the closing address on the" Mind,
with Valedictory," by Preston Wilson. 1t
abounded in bright thoughts, suggestive Of fine
intellect and sustained very ereditably the re-
spOusible position assigned to 1t on the pro-
granme. The farewell words were wisely selected
and appropriately uttered, and while they always
bring thoughts Of sadness. in this case the part
ing moments were rendered unusually pleasant by
the engaging voice and earnest sentences Of the
youthful speaker.
At the conclusion Of the exercises Rev. J. A.
Aldred, Of the Baptist Church, pronounced the
benediction.
Thus closed an entertainment Of very fair
literary ability, Indeed, think II will compare
very favorably with the exercises Of similar in
stitutiOns in the State. Clesrheld may we'll be
proud Of her Institute, aud Of the educational
advantages it affords. Every boy and girl In
town may here receive such a training as will
prepare them to enter successfully upon the
duties Of life. While / would not depart from
the efforts Of others, yet l think one man above
all others. HoA. James T. Leonard, deserves
special recognition for his dsinterestsd efforts TO
serve the cause Of education in clearhed. Him
self uneducated In the studies Of the school, he
has wisely discernsd the Importance Of thorough
training, and In 80 doing has opened the foun-
tain Of his bsnevolenes In order that temple Of
cured to the rising generations Of our town. All
honor Is my hearty word. And yet OCCASION
ally hear Of unjust criticisms Of the actions Of
this noble old man no doubt arising from mis-
understanding Of his benevolent purposes. It is
the province Of all great men, and Of those who
have blessed the race with some peculiar bene-
faction, to be for time the victims Of misguided
censurej but these disappear as the light Of the
future reveals the unssl6sh motives that have
guided the actions Of a successful life. sincere
ly trust that no exhibition Of envy or malice will
restrain this heroic man from his long contem-
plated purpose of transmitting TO tho town Of
Clear6eld an educational Institution, bearing his
honored name, that shall be free 10 all, rich and
poor, and free from all financial obligations.
1 must, however, close my letter What /
promised only to be 4 few lines has grown to be
almost column, and now with my hest wishes
class, am always yours,
A FRiEsD TO EDucArIos.
CLKARYIkLD, April l4th, 1879.
MEETING OF PREsBYTERY. The
Spring meeting Of the Huntington Presbytery